The Saltire has flown higher than ever

As NASA prepares to launch Atlantis today (Friday 8 July, 2011), the last ever launch of a NASA space shuttle, the University of St Andrews is preparing to display another piece of shuttle history.

The Scottish Space School Foundation, on behalf of NASA, has presented The University of St Andrews with a commemorative collage containing a Saltire flag flown aboard the final flight of Space Shuttle Discovery.

The presentation was made in recognition of a collaboration between the Scottish Space School Foundation, the University of St Andrews and Fife Council which has produced four years of the St Andrews Space School.

The St Andrews Space School has seen over three hundred Primary Six children from all over Fife and takes the format of six space related Saturday workshops over a six month period and culminates with a three day summer school, hosted by Astronauts and technical staff from NASA, Texas.

Mike Johnson, Director of Scottish Admissions and Access commented, “We thoroughly enjoy running the Space School here in St Andrews and we hope that this successful collaboration continues to engage young people in Science, helping them to reach their full potential. We are honoured to receive this historic piece from NASA, and hope that it will inspire staff, students and visitors alike.”

The commemorative collage includes a mission patch, photographs of the crew aboard, the final Discovery launch and is signed by Colonel B Alvin Drew, who was the mission specialist. From today (Friday 8 July, 2011) the collage will be on display in the University’s Admissions Department.

The 135th and final shuttle launch is dependent on fair weather, and NASA mission management are monitoring conditions. Weather forecasts predict a 70 percent chance of rain or thunderstorms, which could delay the launch. If poor weather conditions postpone Atlantis’s final journey into orbit NASA will re-attempt on Saturday 9 July or Sunday 10 July, 2011.

Pictured are student ambassadors Pamela Forbes (left) and Amelia Bunce (right) with the commemorative collage.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact Joanna Fry on 01334 462346 or email  [email protected]