Button, Space Shuttle, STS-93, "Launch Guest"

This "launch guest" button is memorabilia from STS-93, the Space Shuttle's 95th launch of the Space Shuttle and the the 26th launch of the orbiter Columbia. Notably, Eileen Collins became the first female shuttle Commander on this flight. Its primary payload was the Chandra X-ray Observatory.A launch guest button served multiple purposes. Wearing it identified the bearer as authorized to be present in certain viewing areas on the premises at NASA, on or near the official viewing stands. After the launch, the button became a souvenir.Valerie Neal donated the button to the Museum in 2012.