Issued by: Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
South Africa's flag was launched into space on January 11 1996 along with Captain Winston Scott and the American crew of the space shuttle Endeavour. The flag was carried at the request of Ben Ngubane, the former Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
Astronauts Scott, Wakata, Duffy, Jett, Barry and Chiao blasted off on a nine day mission for NASA to retrieve the Space Flyer Unit, launched from Japan 10 months earlier. The Endeavour crew also deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer. An important part of Captain Scott's work was to conduct research to be used in the assembly of the International Space Station.
The South African flag along with Captain Scott, whizzed around the earth 142 times and so travelled 5,9-million kilometres. Captain Scott in between waving the South African school children, via satellite, while in orbit.
Captain Scott, a 46-year-old American, is not only an astronaut but is an accomplished trumpet player and holds a second degree black belt in Shokotan karate. Captain Scott received a bachelors of arts degree in music from Florida State University in 1972 and a masters degree in aeronautical engineering from the US Naval Postgraduate School in 1980.
Captain Scott will arrive in South Africa on October 27 1996 to bring this well travelled flag home. The Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Lionel Mishali will host a dinner on October 28 at Meintjeskop restaurant in Pretoria where Captain Scott will present this flag to Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.
The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology and NASA, through Captain Scott's visit, wants to open up the thrilling arena of science and technology to young South Africans. Scott will visit school Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape and will meet with the winners of the Science Olympiad.
Contact: Andile Xaba Tel ;(012) 314 2166