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The toy aviator's cap belongs to Magellan T. Bear, a stuffed bear that 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 cap was part of the bear's flight suit for these travels.

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 United States of America Type MEMORABILIA-Miscellaneous Manufacturer North American Bear Company
 Dimensions 3-D: 22.2 × 9.5 × 16.5cm (8 3/4 × 3 3/4 × 6 1/2 in.)
 Materials Synthetic Leather (Possible Vinyl)
Felt
Steel
Thread (Probable Cotton)
 Inventory Number A19980136000 Credit Line Gift of Penny Wiedeke and Jerry Williams Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.