John Glenn, fighter pilot, astronaut and politician, has died aged 95.
Glenn, who fought in both the Second World War and the Korean War as a Marine, went on to find fame as the first American to orbit the Earth in space, when in 1962 he made the trip in a space capsule called Friendship 7.
He later served as a Democrat Senator for Ohio for 25 years - and even made a return trip to space in 1998 at the age of 77.
President Barack Obama was one of the first to pay tribute, saying in a statement: "John spent his life breaking barriers, from defending our freedom as a decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, to setting a transcontinental speed record, to becoming, at age 77, the oldest human to touch the stars."
He added: "I have lost a friend."
https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedNews/status/806971540382355456
This video shows the historic flight he took in 1962, complete with narration that makes it sound like a 1950s sci-fi space drama, including the line "... as his rendezvous with space approaches."
NASA were also quick to pay tribute, calling him "A true American hero."
https://twitter.com/NASA/status/806960800669794305
Glenn once famously quipped about the nature of funding of government projects:
https://twitter.com/CMichaelGibson/status/806966365991137280
Here's a snapshot of his life, from Association Press:
