CAPCOM

… check list. Over.

John Glenn

Roger, reentry checklist complete. Standing by for main at ten [thousand feet].

John Glenn

Coming down on ten [thousand feet], snorkels are open.

CAPCOM

Roger, understand snorkels open.

John Glenn

Main chute in on green. Chute is out, in reef condition at 10,800 feet and beautiful chute. Chute looks good. On O2 emergency and the chute looks very good. Rate of descent has gone to about 42 feet per second. The chute looks very good.

John Glenn

Hello, Mercury Recovery. This is Friendship Seven. Do you receive?

Recovery helicopter

Mercury Friendship Seven, this Steelhead. Loud and clear. Over.

John Glenn

Roger, Steelhead. Friendship Seven. The chute looks very good. Over.

Recovery helicopter

Roger, understand the chute very good, descent normal. Is that Charlie? Over.

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Spoken on Feb. 20, 1962, 7:38 p.m. UTC (62 years, 7 months ago). Link to this transcript range is: Tweet

John Glenn

Roger, that is affirmative. Descent is normal, indicating 40 feet per second.

John Glenn

My condition is good; it's a little hot in here, however. Over.

Recovery helicopter

Roger, Friendship Seven. Be advised, I got your chaff on my radar and I'm heading out for you now. Over.

John Glenn

Roger. What is your estimate on recovery time? Over.

Recovery helicopter

Friendship Seven. Steelhead. Wait. Out.

John Glenn

Roger. Friendship Seven. Indicating 7,000.

Recovery helicopter

Friendship Seven, this is Steelhead. Be advised, I have you visually, estimate on station in approximately I hour. Over.

John Glenn

Roger, on station I hour.

John Glenn

This is Friendship Seven, standing by for impact.

John Glenn

This is Friendship Seven, going through checklist.

Recovery helicopter

Friendship Seven, this is Steelhead. Correct my estimate on station. Estimate pickup now at 20 minutes. Over.

John Glenn

Roger, understand 20 minutes to pickup.

John Glenn

Friendship Seven, going through check list.

CAPCOM

Seven, this is Cape. Do you have the Landing Bag on green? Over.

John Glenn

Friendship Seven. Say again, Cape.

CAPCOM

… Landing Bag on green? Over.

John Glenn

This is Friendship Seven. Still did not receive you. Repeat again.

CAPCOM

Do you have Landing Bag on green? Over.

John Glenn

I'm sorry. I cannot read you, Cape. Say again.

Recovery helicopter

Do you have Landing Bag on green? Over.

John Glenn

That's affirmative. Landing Bag is on green.

Recovery helicopter

Friendship Seven, this is Steelhead. Be advised accordingly to my surface gadget, your range 6 miles from me, on the way. Over.

John Glenn

Roger, understand 6 miles. Good show.

CAPCOM

Steelhead, this is Cape Cap Com. Over.

John Glenn

Go ahead, Cap Com.

CAPCOM

Cape Cap Com. We recommend that he remain in the capsule unless he has some overriding reason for getting out. Over.

John Glenn

Say again. This is Friendship Seven.

Recovery helicopter

Remain in capsule unless you have an overriding reason for getting out. Over.

John Glenn

Roger. Friendship Seven.

John Glenn

Friendship Seven. Ready for impact; almost down.

Recovery helicopter

Roger.

John Glenn

Do you have me in sight?

John Glenn

Friendship Seven. Getting close. Standing by.

Recovery helicopter

Roger.

John Glenn

Friendship Seven. Impact. Rescue Aids is manual.

Recovery helicopter

Friendship Seven, this is Steelhead. Hold you in the water. What is your condition? Over.