Certificate, Exceptional Service Medal, NASA, 1966, Michael Collins

This certificate was part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Exceptional Service Medal awarded to Michael Collins on 29 July 1966. The Exceptional Service Medal is given for "significant, sustained performance characterized by unusual initiative or creative ability that clearly demonstrates substantial improvements or contributions in engineering, aeronautics, space flight, administration, support, or space-related endeavors which contribute to the mission of NASA." Michael Collins received it for his performance as an astronaut on the Gemini X mission which flew from 18 to 21 July 1966 (John Young was the other astronaut). Among other accomplishments, Michael Collins performed two extra-vehicular activities and during one recovered a micrometeorite detector from an Agena target vehicle.