A PIECE of Tynwald Hill - the ceremonial home of the Isle of Man's parliament - has been sent to space.
It was given to astronaut Nicole Stott to carry aboard the space shuttle Discovery which has now undocked from the International Space Station on its final journey to earth.
Nicole is married to Manxman Chris Stott who is the Isle of Man Government's honorary representative to the space community.
There have been other links to the Isle of Man during the mission - Oh What A Beautiful Morning performed by Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam was played for Nicole last week.
Davy, who now lives in America, grew up in Port St Mary and Nicole is a big fan of the blues rock guitarist and singer, taking his music into space on a previous mission in 2009.
On that occasion he also performed a song for Nicole from NASA's mission control centre in Houston, Texas, while she was at the international space station.
In 2009 she also flew the Isle of Man flag and spoke live with some of the Isle of Man's students via video, a first for the British Isles.
Given her great love and passion for the Isle of Man, on this, her second mission to space, Nicole wished to fly something of great meaning to the Manx people.
The idea to take a piece of Tynwald Hill came from Manxwoman Julia Cregeen.
Given that Tynwald Hill is composed of soil from each of the 17 parishes in the Isle of Man this one piece represents the entire Island.
It is especially significant given Tynwald's place in history as the oldest continuous parliament in the world, meeting since 979 AD.
Given its national and historic importance, special permission to take a piece of Tynwald Hill was granted by Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK, working with President of Tynwald Noel Cringle.
The piece of the hill will be returned to parliament upon Discovery's return to Earth.
Mr Cringle said: "Only a few short years ago it would have been inconceivable to consider a linkage to space travel and the Isle of Man.
"Nicole is a marvellous ambassador for our Island and it is with wonderment and pride that I recognise she has at her feet in space a unique piece of our Island's history."
Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK said: "It is wonderful to think that part of Tynwald Hill, symbolising the national identity of the Isle of Man and our proud heritage of independent democracy, has gone on a journey into outer space.
"This is a great idea which highlights the Island's contribution to the space industry and its unique combination of historic tradition and modern innovation."
Economic Development Minister Allan Bell MHK said: "The Island's growing space industry has given a real boost to the Island's profile internationally and the goodwill of Chris and Nicole Stott has certainly played a major role in this process."
And political member with responsibility for the space sector in the Isle of Man Alex Downie MLC added: "This gesture typifies how far the Isle of Man has progressed in the space sector in the last few years.
"We punch well above our weight and are now one of the leading jurisdictions operating in the business of space."
