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The Australian National University and the city of Canberra have made their mark in space, with a flag commemorating the Centenary of Mount Stromlo Observatory and the Centenary of Canberra now on board the International Space Station.

The flag was flown into orbit on board the Soyuz spacecraft in the personal effects of Japanese astronaut Dr Koichi Wakata.

“Australia was invited to send a small item to the International Space Station in Dr Wakata’s effects as part of Kibo-ABC,” says Dr Naomi Mathers, Industry Liaison Engineer with the ANU Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics (RSAA).

“The timing was perfect. It was a chance to do something significant and lasting to commemorate the Centenaries of both the Mount Stromlo Observatory and Canberra.

“It’s an expression of friendship. The ability to fly something into space is very expensive and takes a lot of resources. We look forward to this relationship developing into project based collaborations in the future,” says Dr Mathers.

RSAA represents Australia in Kibo-ABC, an initiative which provides Asia-Pacific partners access to the Japanese module ‘Kibo’ on the International Space Station. Other countries involved include Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

“The Centenary is honoured to be represented in this mission,” said General Manager of the Centenary of Canberra, Adam Stankevicius.

“The Centenary of Canberra logo on the flag takes recognition of the national capital’s 100th birthday celebrations to new and never-imagined heights.”

“We hope this will mark the beginning of increased collaboration and a hundred more years of space research at Mount Stromlo,” concludes Dr Mathers.

This launch is part of the Centenary of Canberra Innovation and Discovery project, proudly supported by the ACT Government.