June 15, 2018

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The Honorable Jim Bridenstine

Administrator

NASA Headquarters

300 E. Street SW, Suite 5R30

Washington, DC 20546

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A request to NASA to send the Polish national flag into space

for the centenary of Poland’s regaining independence

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Dear Administrator Bridenstine,

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This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Poland regaining its Independence. The year 2018 as the jubilee year of Poland’s independence, is a unique and distinct time for the Polish people. Poles wish to celebrate their jubilee with dignity, pride and joy. They still remember that freedom and independence is within them.

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On November 11, 1918, Poland after 123 years of occupation regained its independence due to support of American people and President Thomas Woodrow Wilson. President Ronald Reagan famously said, “Poland is not East or West. Poland is at the center of European civilization. It has contributed mightily to that civilization. It is doing so today by being magnificently unreconciled to oppression.” During his visit to Poland on 6 July 2017, President Donald J. Trump, in his speech to Poles in Krasiński Square in Warsaw, said at that time, “Poland is the geographic heart of Europe, but more importantly, in the Polish people, we see the soul of Europe.” These words occupy a special place in the hearts of the Polish people.

 

In the jubilee year of Poland’s independence, I would specifically like to ask You, Mr. James Frederick "Jim” Bridenstine, 13th Administrator of NASA, to send the Polish national flag into space. On the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence, displaying the Polish flag outside of the International Space Station would undoubtedly be a precious gift from the United States of America for the Polish nation. Today, Poland deserves to be proud of its independence.

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Every Pole views the Polish flag as the nation’s exceptional symbol. Forbidden by Russian tsars, it was used officially from 1918 after Poland regained its independence. During the Communist period (1944-1990) there were many restrictions on the use of the Polish flag, where the unofficial flying of the flag was considered an act of resistance against the regime. The flag was usually displayed during strikes, and the Solidarity movement used the flag in its famous emblem. That is why the Polish flag became a symbol of patriotism and resistance against the Communist rule. Today, the national flag of the Republic of Poland unites people and represents Polish freedom. It is the visible sign of the pride of Poland’s independence.

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The flag of Poland consists of two horizontal stripes of equal width, the upper one white and the lower one red. The two colors are defined in the Polish Constitution (1997) as the national colors. Polish national colours are one of the few in the world of heraldic origin. Polish flag is a rectangular fabric with each side measuring 5:8.

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