Astronaut John Glenn through the years

Former astronaut and US Senator John Glenn died Thursday at the age of 95. Glenn pushed the limits of space exploration in the 1950s, becoming the first man to orbit the Earth from space. In 1998, at the age of 77, he returned to space for a second image.

Take a look at one of America's greatest pilots through the ages.

UNSPECIFIED - FEBRUARY 20, 1962: In this handout photo provided by NASA, U.S. Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. wears a silver Mercury pressure suit in preparation for launch February 20, 1962. Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)Photo by: NASA
Former astronaut and US Sen. John Glenn, 95, was hospitalized "more than a week ago," according to Ohio State University spokesman Hank Wilson.Photo by: Steve Machalek
401395 02: Former U.S. Senator John H. Glenn, Jr. (L) talks by satellite to the crew on board the International Space Station February 20, 2002 at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC. Glenn stopped by NASA to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his history Mercury orbital flight. On February 20, 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, hurdling around the globe three times in a flight that lasted nearly five hours. At (R) is NASA Administrator Sean O''Keefe. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images)Photo by: Getty Images
CHANTILLY, VA - APRIL 19: Former Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH), walks past the Space Shuttle Discovery during an event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 19, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The space shuttle Discovery is the he oldest and most traveled vehicle from NASA's space shuttle program, and will replace the Interprise at the museum. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)Photo by: Mark Wilson
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Retired astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn and his wife Annie Glenn attend the session "Designing for Impact" at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)Photo by: Allison Joyce
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 05: Former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH) and his wife Annie Glenn walk off the field after dotting the 'i' as the Ohio State Alumni Marching Band forms script Ohio during halftime of a game against the Navy Midshipmen at Ohio Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)Photo by: Jamie Sabau

Astronaut John Glenn through the years

UNSPECIFIED - FEBRUARY 20, 1962: In this handout photo provided by NASA, U.S. Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr. wears a silver Mercury pressure suit in preparation for launch February 20, 1962. Glenn lifted off into space aboard his Mercury Atlas (MA-6) rocket and became the first American to orbit the Earth. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)NASA

Former astronaut and US Sen. John Glenn, 95, was hospitalized "more than a week ago," according to Ohio State University spokesman Hank Wilson.Steve Machalek

401395 02: Former U.S. Senator John H. Glenn, Jr. (L) talks by satellite to the crew on board the International Space Station February 20, 2002 at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC. Glenn stopped by NASA to commemorate the 40th anniversary of his history Mercury orbital flight. On February 20, 1962, Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth, hurdling around the globe three times in a flight that lasted nearly five hours. At (R) is NASA Administrator Sean O''Keefe. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images)Getty Images

CHANTILLY, VA - APRIL 19: Former Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH), walks past the Space Shuttle Discovery during an event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 19, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The space shuttle Discovery is the he oldest and most traveled vehicle from NASA's space shuttle program, and will replace the Interprise at the museum. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)Mark Wilson

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Retired astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn and his wife Annie Glenn attend the session "Designing for Impact" at the Clinton Global Initiative September 23, 2012 New York City. Timed to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly, CGI brings together heads of state, CEOs, philanthropists and others to help find solutions to the world's major problems. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)Allison Joyce

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 05: Former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH) and his wife Annie Glenn walk off the field after dotting the 'i' as the Ohio State Alumni Marching Band forms script Ohio during halftime of a game against the Navy Midshipmen at Ohio Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)Jamie Sabau

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Astronaut John Glenn through the years

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