Silver Snoopy award

The Snoopy Award is the highest award that is awarded by NASA astronauts to those individuals or companies that provide a substantial contribution to the success of a manned space mission. This informal honor is connected with any prize money. Less than one percent of the total workforce get it every year.

The price as an object consists of a pin made ​​of silver, which is flown on a mission and is connected to a Gratitude and a letter of commendation, both of which are signed by astronauts.

For example, the Astronautenuhr Omega Speedmaster Professional was due to the successful return of Apollo 13 to Earth with the Snoopy Award ( see below).

The selection of the mascot

In response to the request to mobilize additional forces NASA examined existing industrial and managerial motivation programs. Although all of these programs are the many excellent concepts, but there was no direct relationship to the Apollo / Saturn mission, the astronauts, the flight safety and the importance of the national space program. It had focused on flight safety and a means be found so that workers could better identify with the flight crew and their mission more attention.

After assessment of motivation concepts of government administration, NASA Smokey Bear of the United States Forest Service ( Forest Service ) was especially interesting. A study from 1968 showed that Smokey is the most recognized symbol of the United States: Nine out of ten Americans knew him and his message. NASA had to find such a symbol; one that was already accepted by the public, especially with the people who worked for the manned space flight. The icon should highlight the flight safety and mission success, as a kind of watchdog of manned flight.

Snoopy, the precocious dog from the popular Peanuts strip, it seemed obvious fit. He was a dog, he had accepted ( and sympathy ) of the nation and he had flying experience ( from the roof of his doghouse ). The people interested in what Snoopy had to say.

The head of the manned flight safety took with Charles M. Schulz - the creator of Snoopy - contact to inquire whether it was the astronauts allowed, Snoopy select as their personal safety mascot. As an avid supporter of the American space program Schulz agreed enthusiastically. Schulz and United Features agreed, " Snoopy the Astronaut " left to NASA for free. However, some policies have been created to preserve the character of Snoopy and his integrity.

The use of the Omega Speedmaster Professional aboard the Apollo 13

In April 1970, Apollo 13 was in danger when an explosion in the service module damaged some energy, electricity and life support systems and partially destroyed. The crew had to turn off all circuits except the radio. Also, all the navigation computer and timepieces have been turned off to save energy for life support systems. Consequently, the crew was forced to live with their Speedmaster watches to determine the seconds of rocket ignition for a re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere - it was only a time window of 14 seconds with a maximum of ten percent margin of error available. Any slight deviation would have sent the capsule into the vastness of space and the crew to certain death. Jim Lovell and Fred Haise controlled the Space Shuttle manually while Jack Swigert determined the duration of the correct ignition with his Speedmaster. Only the ticking of their watches, which broke through the dramatic silence, the crew managed to escape the moon's orbit and return safely to Earth.

The speed of the Speedmaster Professional Omega brought a Snoopy Award, the highest award bestowed by astronauts. Today is on permanent display this Snoopy Award in the Omega Museum in Biel ( Switzerland ).