Astronaut flies the flag for Scotland

065/2006 | 6 September, 2006  

Astronaut Nick Patrick (right) is presented with the Saltire flag by Alex Blackwood of Careers Scotland in the historic Apollo Mission Control Center at the Johnson Space Center

A Saltire which usually has its place flying at Holyrood is set to go on a unique round trip journey as part of a space mission.

The flag will be carried into space by British born NASA astronaut Nick Patrick in recognition of his support for the Careers Scotland Space School.

The flag was presented on behalf of the Scottish Parliament to Mr Patrick at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas by Head of Enterprise in Education for Careers Scotland, Alex Blackwood.

It will be flown during the mission scheduled for December and will be officially presented back to the Scottish Parliament upon Mr Patrick's return.

Mr Patrick (42) is currently assigned to the crew of the Space Shuttle STS - 116, a construction and logistics mission to the International Space Station. It will be his first space flight since he began training as an astronaut in 1998.

Mr Patrick, whose mother is from Skye, was raised in north Yorkshire. As one of the NASA team that closely supports the Careers Scotland Space School, Nick contacted Careers Scotland with his request for a Scottish flag that had flown at Holyrood.

Photo of Nick Patrick courtesy NASA

Nick Patrick 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 shuttle flight to return the flag through the Careers Scotland Space School to the Scottish Parliament."

Presiding Officer, 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."

Background

•  Careers Scotland Space School is supported by the Scottish Executive and the International Space Community. The course seeks to inspire young Scots to pursue science related courses of study, and consider careers in science and technology.

•  As part of the programme, Alex Blackwood is currently in Houston with 26 Space School students where they are expected to experience the excitement of being at the centre of operations for a space flight when Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on its mission to the international Space Station. Delayed by tropical storm Ernesto, the shuttle is due to launch on 6 September with the students returning to Glasgow on 11 September.

•  Every year, 3,000 students from schools across Scotland participate in the programme through courses of distance learning that supplement their studies in Higher Grade Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The learning modules are developed by Careers Scotland in conjunction with NASA scientists to support the Scottish curriculum.  

•  Around 50 young people are then selected to attend a ten day Space School in NASA's Space Center in Houston, Texas. A further 120 students are chosen to attend a Summer School hosted by the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow and attended by a team of NASA astronauts and scientists who are in Scotland to support Careers Scotland's Festival of Science and Enterprise.  

•  Last summer, more than 22,500 pupils from across Scotland met the astronauts and scientists over the festival period. The programme helps young people understand how science and technology can lead to exciting career choices and boosts their enthusiasm for the subject.

For more information on the Scottish Parliament, contact:

Sally Coyne: 0131 348 6265
RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

For more information on Careers Scotland Space School , contact:

Lucy Robb: 0141 228 2995/07887 628732

lucy.robb@scotent.co.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk

Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk