The widow of Charles M Schulz, creator of popular comic strip Peanuts, has been awarded an achievement medal by Nasa for inspiring millions of people by sending Snoopy to the Moon.
The award was in response to her role in extending the legacy and vision of her late husband by building upon the partnership between Peanuts Worldwide and Nasa.
Last week, Nasa administrator Bill Nelson presented Schulz with the space agency’s Exceptional Public Achievement Medal, one of its highest honours.
‘Snoopy helped Nasa inspire an entire generation about the limitless possibilities of space exploration during the Apollo era,’ said Nelson. ‘Today, Jeannie is helping keep that spirit alive with Artemis.’
Last year, a custom-made Snoopy flew on board the uncrewed Artemis I mission. The doll was dressed in a spacesuit that was both modelled after and made out of the same materials as Nasa’s Artemis astronaut launch and entry garment.
The plush ‘zero-gravity indicator’, which was seen floating at the end of a leash inside the Artemis I Orion spacecraft, continued Snoopy’s association with Nasa that began more than 50 years ago.
The comic strip beagle has served as a safety mascot at Nasa and was the namesake for the Apollo 10 lunar module along with ‘Charlie Brown’, the mission’s command module.
Snoopy has even become an award, himself. Nasa’s Silver Snoopy pin is presented to space program workers whose significant contributions have kept astronauts safe and or led to mission success.
The Nasa Exceptional Public Achievement Medal is awarded to individuals who are not hired by the government and whose ‘significant specific achievement … contributes to the mission of Nasa’.
In 2018, Peanuts Worldwide signed a new agreement with Nasa to extend Snoopy’s use by the agency to the whole Peanuts gang, beyond just internal communications to engage students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, as well as Nasa’s deep space missions.
The renewed partnership has led to McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, a new Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade giant balloon and an animated series on Apple TV+.
‘Jeannie’s support through the Nasa-Peanuts partnership has helped many recognize the value of Nasa. And she is helping Nasa inspire a new generation of explorers and scientists the Artemis generation,’ said Nelson.
With his latest Moon mission now over, the Artemis I-flown Snoopy is heading to its final home for display at the Schulz Museum in California.
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