|
Oct. 11, 2001 Bob
Jacobs/Kirsten Larson RELEASE: 01-195 NASA ADMINISTRATOR LAUNCHES "FLAGS FOR HEROES AND FAMILIES" CAMPAIGN In a unique extension
of a tradition that dates back to the beginning of human space flight,
NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin today announced that the next mission
of In announcing the "Flags for Heroes and Families" campaign, Administrator Goldin said thousands of American flags will be carried into space by Endeavour and its seven member crew and will be distributed to the victims' families and survivors of the September attacks. "The 'Flags for Heroes and Families' campaign is a way for us to honor and show our support for the thousands of brave men and women who have selflessly contributed to the relief and recovery efforts," said Administrator Goldin. "The American flags are a patriotic symbol of our strength and solidarity, and our Nation's resolve to prevail." As part of this NASA-sponsored effort, nearly 6,000 American flags will be carried into orbit aboard Endeavour. The mission, known as STS-108, is currently scheduled for liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida Nov. 29. "NASA wanted to come up with an appropriate tribute to the people who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11," added Administrator Goldin. "America's space program has a long history of carrying items into space to commemorate historic events, acts of courage and dramatic achievements. 'Flags for Heroes and Families' is a natural extension of this ongoing outreach project." The legacy of flying
American flags to space started in 1961 with the flight of the first
American astronaut, Alan Shepard. Students from Cocoa Beach Elementary
School in The flags carried into orbit as part of the "Flags for Heroes and Families" effort will be returned to Earth at the end of STS-108, mounted on specially designed memorial certificates, and presented to the survivors and families of the victims in New York and the Pentagon, and to the families of the heroes killed aboard United Airlines flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania. Wednesday afternoon, Administrator Goldin presented the city of New York and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani with an American flag carried into space on a previous space shuttle flight. The Administrator announced plans to present new flags to each New York fire house and police precinct that has played a role in the rescue and recovery efforts. "We feel 'Flags for Heroes and Families' is a fitting tribute from our Nation's space program to honor those affected by this American tragedy," concluded Administrator Goldin. "The entire NASA family has come together with a historic display of unity on a project designed to comfort of all who have been touched by these horrific events." STS-108 will be
the 12th space shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station.
Endeavour will deliver the Expedition Four Crew -- Commander Yuri Onufrienko
of Rosaviakosmos and American Flight Engineers Carl Walz and Dan Additional information about STS-108 and the International Space Station is available on the Internet at: -end- NASA press releases and other information are available automatically by sending an Internet electronic mail message to domo@hq.nasa.gov. In the body of the message (not the subject line) users should type the words "subscribe press-release" (no quotes). The system will reply with a confirmation via E-mail of each subscription. A second automatic message will include additional information on the service. NASA releases also are available via CompuServe using the command GO NASA. To unsubscribe from this mailing list, address an E-mail message to domo@hq.nasa.gov, leave the subject blank, and type only "unsubscribe press-release" (no quotes) in the body of the message. |