Astronaut Gives Flag Flown in Space to the Fire Museum

Astronaut Michael J. Massimino (center) presents NYC Fire Museum President of the Board of Trustees John Bower (right) and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano with a flag and a NASA patch that was flown on the Space Shuttle Atlantis in honor of the 343 members of the FDNY who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

It has orbited the earth 197 times and traveled 5.3 million miles, all in honor of the 343 FDNY members who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

Astronaut Michael J. Massimino presented a flag flown on NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis to Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano and NYC Fire Museum President of the Board of Trustees John Bower on July 30.

“I have such respect for what [members of the FDNY] do every day,” Dr. Massimino said during the presentation at the Museum in Manhattan. “I can’t express how meaningful it is to be here, and this is just a small token of our appreciation.”

The flag was onboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis for two weeks as Dr. Massimino and seven other astronauts traveled to fix the Hubble Space Telescope in May 2009.

Astronaut Michael J. Massimino and Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano hold the flag flown on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which will be given to the City of New York in honor of all those who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

“This is deeply appreciated by all of us,” said Chief Cassano. “You are a true member of the FDNY.”

Mr. Bower added, “[Dr. Massimino] is truly a brave and heroic man.”

Dr. Massimino’s father was a chief inspector for the FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Prevention. He said he went on his first mission to space just months after 9/11 and his team brought with them patches, flags and a poster honoring the 343 members in honor of their bravery.

“It’s not trivial what you decide to take with you and who you decide to give it to,” he said.

On this mission he also brought home plate from Shea Stadium, Galileo’s telescope and a large flag that he plans to donate to the City in honor of all those lost on Sept. 11.

He also showed the group the FDNY baseball cap he wore throughout the mission.

He showed the group photos from his expedition and explained how he and the other astronauts were able to repair the Hubble Space Telescope and improve it, so it can take better photos in the future.

As a token of appreciation, Chief Cassano presented the astronaut with an FDNY sweatshirt with his name and 343 embroidered on it.

“This is awesome,” he said. “I will wear it with pride.”