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This flag is a part of an MTV "Moonman" statuette (a Video Music Awards trophy) that was flown in space aboard the Russian space station Mir in September 1996. MTV's client Pepsi paid for the award to be launched to Mir so it would be aboard when host Dennis Miller spoke to the cosmonauts via satellite during the 1996 Video Music Awards show. For some reason, the statuette that was flown (with its base removed to save space and weight) contained two flags: this one with a pole too thick to fit in the statuette's hand, and another duplicate flag with a thinner pole that did fit in the hole in the silver astronaut's hand.

Although the pressures of live television and delays in voice transmission and language translation made conversation between Miller and the cosmonauts very awkward, the event fit the VMAs' reputation as an unconventional awards show where the unexpected happens.

MTV Networks donated the award, complete with two component flags, to the Museum in 2007.

 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 United States of America Type AWARDS-Trophies Designer Manhattan Design
 Dimensions 3-D: 6.4 x 0.5 x 24.1cm (2 1/2 x 3/16 x 9 1/2 in.)
 Materials Zinc, nickel silver plate, brass, paint
 Inventory Number A20080038002 Credit Line Gift of MTV Networks Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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