[1][2] The award certificate states that it is "In Appreciation" "For professionalism, dedication and outstanding support that greatly enhanced space flight safety and mission success.

"[3] The award depicts Snoopy, a character from the Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz.

[4] NASA wanted to use a symbol for spaceflight that would be well known and accepted by the public, similar to the recognition received by the United States Forest Service's Smokey Bear.

[5] Charles M. Schulz, who was an avid supporter of the U.S. space program, welcomed the idea of using Snoopy for the award.

Schulz and United Feature Syndicate (the distributor of the Peanuts comic strip) agreed to let NASA use "Snoopy the Astronaut" at no cost.