This is the flight suit for the toy teddy bear, Magellan T. Bear. Magellan T. Bear became the first official teddy bear in space, flying as the "education specialist" aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-63 mission in February 1995. The bear's journey was part of an ambitious educational project to stimulate interest in geography, science, and social studies. Students and faculty of Elk Creek Elementary School in Pine, Colorado, worked with NASA and Spacehab to have the teddy bear certified for spaceflight. The school also arranged for the bear to fly around the world, visit the South Pole, fly on United Airlines' first Boeing 777 flight, and attend U.S. Space Camp. The bear wore an aviator's suit for these travels but wore an astronaut suit for spaceflight.
Magellan T. Bear was presented to the National Air and Space Museum in May 1998 by librarian Penny Wiedeke and principal Jerry Williams..
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
Korea
Type
MEMORABILIA-Miscellaneous
Manufacturer
North American Bear Company
Dimensions
Overall: 39.4 × 43.8 × 8.3cm (1 ft. 3 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 5 1/4 in. × 3 1/4 in.)
Materials
Cotton
Plastic
Synthetic Fur
Adhesive
Steel
Cotton Thread
Inventory Number
A19980135000
Credit Line
Gift of Penny Wiedeke and Jerry Williams.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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