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Space Shuttle Carries Relic From Historic Christian Missionary Aviation Episode

By Howard M. Friedman

The U.S. space shuttle Discovery docked with the international space station yesterday, bringing equipment, food and new laboratory equipment. (Reuters.) While a great deal of attention has been given to the new treadmill (named after Comedy Central television host Stephen Colbert) which was on board Discovery, less attention has been given to another item taken along on the trip. According to World Mag, Astronaut Patrick Forrester convinced NASA to allow him to bring along the battery box from the Piper AP-14 flown by Christian missionary pilot Nate Saint, who was murdered along with 4 others by Waodani (Huaorani) Indians in Ecuador in 1956. (Background.) Forrester hopes this will renew interest in mission aviation. Last week, American Atheists issued a statement objecting to use of taxpayer funds in this manner. Its president, Dr. Ed Bruckner said: "NASA is a scientific and exploratory agency that is funded by taxpayers. Its mission should not include religious grandstanding, or efforts to use outer space as a pulpit for religion."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 31, 2009 (boomark / email).