In Popular Culture
Speaking from the blockhouse at the launch of Friendship 7, Carpenter, John Glenn's backup pilot, said "Godspeed, John Glenn," as Glenn rose off the launch pad to begin his first U.S. orbital mission on February 20, 1962.
This quote was included in the voiceovers of the teaser trailer for the 2009 Star Trek film. The audio phrase is used in Kenny G's "Auld Lang Syne" (The Millennium Mix). It is also used as a part of an audio introduction for the Ian Brown song "My Star".
Less officially, Carpenter has been reported to add, sarcastically, "Remember, John, this was built by the low bidder". This quote is sometimes improperly attributed to John Glenn.
In the 1983 film, The Right Stuff, Carpenter was played by Charles Frank. Although his appearance was relatively minor, the film played up Carpenter's friendship with John Glenn, as played by Ed Harris. This film is based on the book of the same name by Tom Wolfe.
The character of Scott Tracy in the Thunderbirds television series was named after him.
His recovery is referred to in the Peanuts comic strip of June 28, 1962 after Linus' security blanket is rescued under similar circumstances.
Read more about this topic: Scott Carpenter
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