Nasa May Give Glenn Another Shot

Could Sen. John Glenn’s dream of returning to space be getting serious attention from NASA?

More than 35 years after he became the first American to orbit Earth, the 75-year-old Ohio Democrat and the space agency are seriously talking about it, The Orlando Sentinel reported in its online edition Friday night.

“NASA has discussed the idea with the senator, and we are giving it further consideration,” NASA spokesman Michael Braukus told the newspaper.

Glenn, who flew on Mercury 6 and circled the Earth three times in 1962, has repeatedly said he would like to make a second flight as part of a study on how space flight affects aging.

If NASA sends an older person into space for the study, Glenn wants to be “first in line,” Glenn spokesman Jack Sparks said.

If Glenn - who turns 76 next month - ends up in outer space, he would be the oldest human ever in orbit. Story Musgrave, 61, set the record last year.

For Glenn to fly again, NASA would have to change its policy against civilians in space. The policy was established after the 1986 Challenger explosion killed teacher Christa McAuliffe.