Order of Malta flag returns home after mission to international space station

After taking part in the Axiom 3 space mission last January, the flag of the Sovereign Order of Malta has returned home. In a ceremony held at the Magistral Villa – one of the Sovereign Order of Malta’s seats of government in Rome – the flag with the octagonal cross was returned to the hands of the Receiver of the Common Treasure, Fabrizio Colonna.

Following its departure from Cape Canaveral in Florida, on the 19^th January 2024 the Axiom 3 mission docked with the International Space Station (ISS) after a 36-hour journey.  The astronauts – including Italian Air Force Colonel Walter Villadei – were accompanied by the flag with the eight-pointed white cross of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

“This event was a great opportunity to spread the values and principles of our Order. The red flag with the white eight-pointed cross flies over our Grand Priories, Sub Priories, National Associations and Diplomatic Missions of the Order, over hospitals, medical centres, outpatient clinics, and wherever our relief corps, foundations and specialised facilities of the Order operate pursuing the Order’s mission, Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum, the beating heart of all our activities,” explained the Receiver of the Common Treasure Fabrizio Colonna, thanking the Italian Air Force for its most valuable collaboration.

“This is a testimony for all ongoing peace missions,” added the Receiver, recalling the work of the Order of Malta, which with its volunteer and relief corps, Associations and embassies is present in some of the hottest spots on the planet, from the Middle East to Ukraine, with projects in the humanitarian-assistance field.

As Colonel Villadei explained “space has always represented an opportunity for sharing values and collaborating, as well as an opportunity for diplomacy. Space brings together different nations and peoples committed to a single purpose of a scientific nature.” In addition to the Italian Colonel, there were 11 astronauts representing 9 different nationalities in the International Space Station.

To mark the initiative, the Order of Malta’s Magistral Post Office has dedicated a postal issue consisting of two stamps depicting the flag’s journey into space.