John Glenn’s return to space in 1998 played a role in the rise of high-definition television (HDTV) for live news coverage because it attracted significant attention from the public and the media. The historical nature of Glenn’s mission, as the oldest person in the space, created a high-profile event that the stations tried to cover with the best possible quality. This drove the demand for advanced broadcasting technologies, such as high-definition television, to provide viewers with a more immersive and clear experience, particularly for significant live events.