(Springdale, UT) - An image of Utah's Zion National Park is flying through space onboard the space shuttle Endeavour on its current mission to the International Space Station.

Superintendent Jock Whitworth says the commemorative coin was carried onboard by Lt. Col. Robert Behnken, a mission specialist. The coin's space journey marks the final official event in celebration of the first century anniversary of Zion National Park since its initial establishment as Mukuntuweap National Monument on July 31, 1909.

Lt. Col. Behnken requested an item symbolizing Zion National Park to carry with him on the mission. Behnken is married to astronaut Megan McArthur, who flew to the Hubble Space Telescope in May. The couple have enjoyed camping and hiking in the park and he wanted to show his appreciation by taking an item from the park on the shuttle mission. Endeavour's 13-day flight will include three spacewalks and the delivery of a new module that will provide more living space. They are expected to arrive home February 19.

The Zion Centennial commemorative coin will be returned to the park at the conclusion of the mission and become a permanent addition to the park's museum collection. While in space, Behnken will also photograph Zion Canyon.

The mission's progress is available by going to nasa.gov