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Patch, United States Flag, Space Shuttle, STS-69 (Gernhardt)

National Air and Space Museum

Object Details

Summary
Flags have been worn on spacesuits since 1965 when James A. McDivitt and Edward H. White II flew on the Gemini IV mission. Without a distinctive mission patch, those astronauts decided to wear an American flag on their suits.That became a custom still followed, with the flag worn on the left shoulder of flight suits and spacesuits. Astronauts from other countries also wear their national flag on their suits to acknowledge their country and patriotism.This flag may have flown on spacewalking astronaut Michael L. Gernhardt’s suit or life support backpack on one of his four Space Shuttle missions. NASA transferred it to the Museum with a variety of other crew items in 2012.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Inventory Number
A20140162000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Accessories
Materials
Fabric
Ink
Dimensions
Overall Flag: 10.8 x 0.2 x 15.9cm (4 1/4 x 1/16 x 6 1/4 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
National Air and Space Museum
Record ID
nasm_A20140162000
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9ded8204a-610e-4dde-8680-e3392727bc29

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International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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