The medal was instituted in 1981Medal fitted with original silk corded riband, and 9mm crimp brooch mounting bar. This latter with makers hallmark 'Graco-GI' on reverse, and the bar retaining it's original long hinged pin & intricate drop-lock clasp fittings, as-issuedThe NASA Space Flight Medal is a decoration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. According to its statutes, it is awarded 'for significant achievement or service during individual participation as a civilian or military astronaut, pilot, mission specialist, payload specialist, or other space flight participant in a space flight mission.' In practice, the medal is bestowed upon any astronaut (US or foreign) who flies aboard a United States space mission, and typically every subsequent flight is honored with an additional awardMultiple awards of the decoration are annotated either by award stars or oak leaf clusters (depending on the civilian or military status of the recipient and, if military, the branch of service). The NASA Space Flight Medal is also authorized for wear on active uniforms of the United States military and is worn after all military decorationsThrough to 31 October 2000 a total of 583 x medals had been awardedA choice example in matt gilded finish, and a highly desirable and scarce seen medalCondition: EF