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Magellan T. Bear, manufactured by the North American Bear Company, 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.

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 Korea Type MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture Manufacturer North American Bear Company
 Dimensions 3-D (Seated Position): 36.8 × 38.1 × 34.9cm (1 ft. 2 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 3 in. × 1 ft. 1 3/4 in.)
3-D (Flat Position): 40.6 × 21.6 × 57.2cm (1 ft. 4 in. × 8 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 10 1/2 in.)
 Materials overall: 100% polyester blue plush fabric with polyester stuffing
eyes and nose: black plastic buttons
 Inventory Number A19980134000 Credit Line Gift of Penny Wiedeke and Jerry Williams. RESTRICTED GIFT; NO TRANSFER OF COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, OR RELATED RIGHTS. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.