Which astronaut is associated with the claim that he was the first American to orbit the Earth in the provided material?

• A. Alan Shepard
• B. John Glenn
• C. Neil Armstrong
• D. Buzz Aldrin

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is the difference between orbital flight and suborbital flight. Alan Shepard’s flight was suborbital—he didn’t complete an orbit around Earth. The milestone of orbiting Earth was achieved by John Glenn, who flew aboard Friendship 7 in 1962 and completed three orbits, becoming the first American to orbit the planet. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are best known for their Moon landing missions, not for orbiting the Earth first. So the statement tied to orbiting the Earth correctly points to John Glenn.