John Glenn gained heroic stature when he became the first American to orbit the earth, in February 1962. But far from his ego being rocket-boosted by such an achievement, the pioneering astronaut was humbled by the experience, and his faith in the Creator or the universe increased. Space travel at the time was inherently risky, and he said he prayed every day. Glenn, who later became the oldest human in space (at the age of 77), served as a US senator, and was a man of deep Christian faith. When he died in December, aged 95, he left the bounds of earth once more and reached heaven rather than just the heavens.