Purdue Items Heading to Space

The Neil A. Armstrong Medal of Excellence is one of the items traveling to the International Space Station.

Purdue University graduate Scott Tingle, who is heading to the International Space Station next year, is bringing some items from his alma mater along with him. Among them is a special medal named after Purdue alumnus Neil Armstrong.

The Neil A. Armstrong Medal of Excellence is given to individuals "who have embodied the pioneer spirit, determination and dedication" of the medal’s namesake. Only two people have received the medal.

"Scott’s carrying the Neil Armstrong medal into space is a wonderful portrayal of Purdue’s history of space exploration, from the first landing on the moon to this most recent mission 48 years later," said Leah Jamieson, dean of engineering. "The medal itself now becomes part of that history, and will inspire the dreams of Purdue’s future explorers."

When it returns to Earth, the medal will be put in a display case at the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering until the next recipient is chosen. 

Tingle will also bring two photos on a Purdue placard, the front of which has says "Purdue Engineering" with the College of Engineering emblem. The back of the placard represents the Purdue School of Mechanical Engineering and says "Don’t Worry/I’m a Mechanical Engineer." Zucrow Laboratories is sending a scroll banner that pulls apart to show the "Purdue Propulsion" logo and a panoramic photo of every current Zucrow student.

The items had to weight a total of no more than five pounds. Tingle will carry them in a 12-inch-by-8-inch container. Tingle, the 23rd astronaut from Purdue, is preparing for his NASA expedition to the ISS in September 2017.