EL PASO, Texas -- When Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off on August 28, El Paso astronaut Danny Olivas carried a Border Patrol flag with him.

The flag will spend 13 days in space with Olivas and the rest of the crew.

"It is an honor and privilege to have the Border Patrol flag flown on Space Shuttle Discovery. This will be the first space flight for the Border Patrol flag, which has a rich history, and is a symbol that we hold near and dear to us," said Matthew Zetts, Chief Patrol Agent for the Miami Sector Border Patrol, in a press release given to KFOX.

Once the flag returns to Earth, Olivas will present the flag to Rep. Silvestre Reyes.

After the presentation, the flag will be added to a Border Patrol museum to go on display in the historical collection.