This First Flight Challenger button was owned by John Bickers, a Public Affairs representative for the McDonnell Company (later McDonnell Douglas), an aerospace company that held contracts with NASA throughout Project Mercury, the Gemini program, the Apollo program, and the Space Shuttle program.
Buttons representing specific projects, programs, or missions were examples of one type of space memorabilia distributed to NASA employees and contractors. Wearing a button would demonstrate one's connection to the event. As a result, this button reminds us of the numerous teams of people who worked to support human spaceflight.
During his tenure with McDonnell, Bickers compiled and edited Press Reference Books for the Gemini Space Missions and supported early Space Shuttle flights.
He donated the button 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
MEMORABILIA-Events
Dimensions
3-D: 0.3 × 6.4cm (1/8 × 2 1/2 in.)
Materials
Metal, paper, plastic
Inventory Number
A20080027000
Credit Line
Gift of John Bickers
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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