An Astronaut, a Rhino and a Rocket Walk Into a Bar

Okay, well, they really didn't, but now that I have your attention, please continue to read.

For most children, the first home their parents rented might not seem like a big deal or something worth mentioning. However, it wasn’t until I grew older that I began to develop a deep interest in space exploration. This interest has only grown since I moved to the Space Coast of Florida, where I get to witness rocket launches regularly.

As I planned a vacation to Titusville, my dad asked about my itinerary, and naturally, I mentioned that visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was at the top of my list. That’s when he shared some surprising news that connected my family’s history to space exploration in a way I never expected.

Astronaut Winston Scott was the first Astronaut I ever had the opportunity to meet which was during the Astronaut Training Experience while at KSC for the first time.

Before building the home I grew up in, my parents rented a house when they were first married. But this wasn’t just any ordinary home—it was the birthplace of Astronaut and Senator John Glenn. His family later moved to New Concord, Ohio, just a short distance away. If you ever visit New Concord, you can stop by the John and Annie Glenn Museum to learn more about John Glenn’s incredible journey from this humble beginning to becoming a pioneering astronaut and a U.S. Senator.

2001 Foster Avenue, Cambridge, Ohio is the birthplace of John Glenn.

I could hardly believe it—my parents once lived in the house where John Glenn was born! While my dad wasn’t nearly as excited as I was about this fact, and my mom, who had passed away by the time I learned, may have been, I couldn’t help but be thrilled. This was John Glenn—the astronaut, Ohio Senator, and the first American to orbit Earth! How incredible is that? But wait, it gets even better.

As an animal lover, particularly of exotic species like elephants, giraffes, and rhinos, I’ve always been fascinated by places like The Wilds, a vast, 10,000-acre wildlife conservation park in Southeastern Ohio. One of my favorite species is the Greater One-Horned Rhino, and imagine my surprise when I learned that one of The Wilds’ female rhinos had a baby named *Glenn* in honor of the late Senator John Glenn, who passed away in 2017. Baby Glenn has since made his new home at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, but to me, he’ll always be “Baby Glenn,” a little piece of history and tribute to a remarkable man.

 The zoo shared a photo of Glenn, and I couldn’t resist commenting. Shortly after, a local zoo docent reached out to me, and through our conversations, I discovered she has seen Glenn up close. It’s nice having someone on the inside who can keep me updated on him—even if it’s just to pass along my request to give him a little scratch behind the ears! From the moment I first saw him during a tour, perched on the back of a pick-up truck and eagerly offering snacks, I fell in love with the baby rhino. Sure, his name being *Glenn* had a lot to do with it, but his spunky personality and adorable smile sealed the deal.

Ever since my excitement was rekindled at Cape Family Day, when I got a photo taken at LC-36, I’ve been eagerly following the progress of Blue Origin’s *New Glenn* rocket. With every new story, I can feel it—launch day is getting closer, and I can't wait to see it vertical on the pad.

During Cape Family Day I was able to get this fun photo taken by a Blue Origin employee at LC-36.

On February 21, 2024, the world witnessed the long-awaited debut of Blue Origin's *New Glenn* rocket at Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) on the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Powered by methane fuel, *New Glenn* is designed to carry a wide range of payloads into space, from commercial satellites to scientific missions. This monumental launch marks a significant leap forward for Blue Origin and their goal of making space more accessible. With its state-of-the-art design and capabilities, *New Glenn* is poised to play a major role in the future of space exploration.

New Glenn vertical at LC-36 on February 21, 2024 (Photo credit, Blue Origin, LinkedIn Post)

Now living on the Space Coast, I realize how life has continuously hinted that this is where I belong. Growing up, my best friend lived on Foster Ave., the same street where John Glenn was born, and the house my parents rented after their wedding was his birthplace. Later, I became attached to a rhino named Glenn at The Wilds, and now Blue Origin’s *New Glenn* rocket stands tall, ready for testing at LC-36. From rockets to rhinos and astronauts, it’s like the universe knew exactly where to guide me!