Survival Kit, Friendship 7 (MA-6)

Astronaut John Glenn's Mercury spacecraft, Friendship 7, carried this survival kit, or one just like it, when he became the first American to orbit the Earth on February 20, 1962. Included are a life raft, pocket knife, signaling mirror, shark repellent, seawater desalting tablets, sunscreen, soap, first aid kit, and other items.The Smithsonian originally received this kit installed in Friendship 7 when NASA gave the spacecraft to the National Air Museum in 1962.