We are pleased to present two gifts to the 2026 medalists. One, we affectionately call 'Plush Moon Buddy' who symbolizes the long, rich space history Huntsville has helped create over the past 65 years. Our work dates back to putting the first man on the moon in 1969 with the Saturn V rocket, which is proudly on display at the world-renowned U.S. Space & Rocket Center here in Huntsville. That mission launched our community into a new world of exploration and boosted our population into ASmartPlace® for work in the space industry.

Now, nearly six decades years later, Huntsville is known as the “Rocket City.” NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is here, along with hundreds of space-related companies throughout our region. These companies have contributed significant efforts to the most recent Artemis missions, including designing the Space Launch System (SLS), Core Stage elements, and engine propulsion. The Artemis II mission carried a team of astronauts around the moon and then further than we've ever been, and future Artemis missions will take humans back to the moon’s surface very soon.

Huntsville has a strong connection to America’s commercial space ventures, too. The frame you see in the photo holds a flag that was flown aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard 32 mission in commemoration of our athletes' remarkable medal-winning achievement. Its journey to space celebrates the perseverance, determination, and pioneering spirit that carried this accomplishment to the world stage — and beyond. And did you know, the engines that powered the Blue Origin rocket that took it to space were made right here in Huntsville, Alabama, USA? Yes indeed!

A special thank you to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center for their support of the 2026 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championship. You can find the moon plushie and other similar items for sale in their gift shop.