Astronaut to Fly the Flag for Scotland
A flag that has flown over the Scottish Parliament building is to be carried into space by British born NASA astronaut Nick Patrick.
The flag was presented to the astronaut by Alex Blackwood yesterday (5 September), on behalf of the Scottish Parliament. Alex is in Houston leading the Careers Scotland Space School which is enjoying its eighth mission to NASA's Space Center in Houston.
Careers Scotland Space School is a world-leading programme supported by the Scottish Executive and the International Space Community. There are currently 26 young people participating in the Space School in Houston, which aims to inspire young people and help them understand how science and technology can lead to exciting career choices.
Astronaut Nick (42) is currently assigned to the crew of the Space Shuttle STS-116, a construction and logistics mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for launch in December 2006. It will be his first space flight since he began training as an astronaut in 1998.
Nick is originally from North Yorkshire, however, his grandmother is from Skye and he is fiercely proud of his Scottish heritage. As one of the NASA team that closely supports the Careers Scotland Space School, Nick contacted Alex Blackwood with his request for a Scottish flag that had flown at Holyrood. Alex worked with his colleagues in Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Parliament to source the item.
Alex, head of enterprise in education for Careers Scotland, presented the flag to Nick in the historic Apollo Mission Control Center at the Johnson Space Center and he has also been invited to be present at the shuttle launch in December.
He said:
"On behalf of the Scottish Parliament, it is a privilege to help Nick fly the flag for Scotland as part of the international space programme. The Careers Scotland Space School aims to motivate young people and encourage them to study science. Inspiring students is something that NASA scientists do better than most and we are all delighted to be here with Nick, helping him to make history."
Nick said:
"I am delighted to be able to fly the Scottish flag in space. I love Scotland and am always delighted to meet such inspiring young Scots when the Space School comes to Houston. I look forward to coming to Scotland next year after my flight to return the flag through the Careers Scotland Space School to the Scottish Parliament."
Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, George Reid, MSP, said:
"This flag has been proudly flown above the Scottish Parliament in honour of Royalty and visiting dignitaries from around the world. We are delighted to donate it for this historical journey and we look forward to seeing pictures and hearing about the Saltire flying in honour of Scotland in space."Participants of the Careers Scotland Space School who are currently in Houston, are expected to experience the excitement of being at the centre of operations for a space flight when the Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on its mission to the International Space Station. Delayed by Tropical Storm Ernesto, the shuttle is due to launch today, 6 September.
The group left Glasgow on Friday 1 September 2006, returning on Monday 11 September 2006. Follow their progress Careers Scotland Space School.
06/09/06
