Smithsonian Institution
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Asset Name:
media:NASM-A20080038001cp01

File Usage:

Not determined
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Object details:

Object Name: Award, Flag, MTV Video Music Awards, flown
Smithsonian Record ID: edanmdm:nasm_A20080038001

	Object Name
	Award, Flag, MTV Video Music Awards, flown

	Metadata Usage
	Not determined

	Guid
	http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9b2d0dee7-3502-444b-912c-b5a1dbe3ee29

	Data Source
	National Air and Space Museum

	Designer
	Manhattan Design

	Materials
	Zinc, nickel silver plate, brass, paint

	Dimensions
	3-D: 6.4 x 0.3 x 24.3cm (2 1/2 x 1/8 x 9 9/16 in.)

	Summary
	This flag is a part of an MTV "Moonman" statuette (a Video Music Awards trophy) that was flown in space aboard the Russian space station Mir in September 1996. MTV's client Pepsi paid for the award to be launched to Mir so it would be aboard when host Dennis Miller spoke to the cosmonauts via satellite during the 1996 Video Music Awards show. For some reason, the statuette that was flown (with its base removed to save space and weight) contained two flags: this one that fit in the statuette's hand, and another duplicate flag with a thicker pole that did not fit in the hole in the silver astronaut's hand.

	Summary
	Although the pressures of live television and delays in voice transmission and language translation made conversation between Miller and the cosmonauts very awkward, the event fit the VMAs' reputation as an unconventional awards show where the unexpected happens.

	Summary
	MTV Networks donated the award, complete with both component flags, to the Museum in 2007.

	Country of Origin
	United States of America

	Credit Line
	Gift of MTV Networks

	Inventory Number
	A20080038001

	Type
	AWARDS-Trophies

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