Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This Smokey Bear plush toy was taken to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft by Joe Acaba, a NASA astronaut and member of Expeditions 31 and 32. It belonged to Jeffrey Miller, a United States Forest Service professional, and Acaba’s friend since they served together in the Dominican Republic as volunteers in the United States Peace Corps beginning in 1994.

Aboard the Soyuz, this Smokey Bear toy acted as both a flight mascot and light-hearted zero-gravity indicator, keeping with a Russian tradition of having one space traveler bring a personal talisman aboard the Soyuz (when the object floated, they were in space). The toy spent 123 days aboard the station before returning with Acaba in September 2012.

Smokey Bear is the national symbol of wildfire prevention, and the toy's presence on board the ISS highlighted a partnership between NASA and the United States Forest Service to promote environmental education and outreach.

Jeff Miller gave the Smokey Bear plush toy to the National Air and Space Museum in June 2013.

 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 Peoples Republic of China Type MEMORABILIA Astronaut Joseph M. Acaba
 Manufacturer Kids Preferred Inc.
 Dimensions 3-D: 13 × 7 × 17.5cm (5 1/8 × 2 3/4 × 6 7/8 in.)
 Materials cotton, felt, plastic, polyester fiber, vinyl
 Inventory Number A20130181000 Credit Line Gift of Jeff Miller and Joe Acaba, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.