On Oct. 29, 1998, the Discovery blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center with John Glenn the oldest person to go into space. The nation's attention was captivated by the mission which included the 77yearold space pioneer's return to space 36 years after his one and only space flight.

From John Glenn: A Life of Service, a production of WOSU Public Media. Watch the documentary on July 17 at 8 p.m. on WOSU TV. Learn more at http://j.mp/18KDiC8.

Some of Glenn's former colleagues in the U.S. Senate, including Patrick Leahy and baseball hall of famer Ted Williams, who was Glenn's wing man during the Korean War traveled to Florida to watch the launch.