First American flag launched and returned from orbit 60 years agoThe first American flag to be flown into space and return to Earth intact did so 60 years ago this month — nine months earlier than another flag said to hold the same distinction.
Secretly stowed on board the first human-made object to be recovered from orbit, the U.S. flag was revealed during a White House ceremony on Aug. 15, 1960.
"Within this capsule, Mr. President, are a great many telemetering equipments and other scientific instruments, however there is one other package," Gen. Thomas White, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, said, addressing then-President Dwight Eisenhower before a small audience of military and government officials. "This is a national flag."