"Sacred Cow" Space Relic
Part of the Douglas VC-54C "Sacred Cow" was flown on Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-83, April 4-8, 1997. The items were flown on the mission in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. On July 26, 1947, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 while on board the Sacred Cow. This act established the Air Force as an independent service, making the Sacred Cow the "birthplace" of the USAF. (U.S. Air Force photo)