Details:

Skylab II flown aft heat shield components recovered from the Command Module that returned the Skylab II crew safely to Earth. Displayed in a striking 3D floating presentation frame, this grouping includes multiple elements from the Command Module’s aft heat shield, including charred ablative material, fibrous glass thread seal, and metallic fragments—each exposed to the extreme heat of atmospheric reentry.

Fine condition.

These relics represent components of the Apollo heat shield system designed to protect astronauts during their return from space. NASA utilized ablative phenolic epoxy resin materials that absorbed and dissipated enormous reentry temperatures by gradually burning away during descent through Earth’s atmosphere. The materials in this display were removed from the aft heat shield section of the Skylab II Command Module and are accompanied by a signed provenance sheet from Sandy Clarkson of The Right Stuff, Inc.

Skylab was America’s first space station, launched and operated by NASA between 1973 and 1974. Skylab II was the first crewed mission to the station, launched on May 25, 1973, carrying astronauts Charles “Pete” Conrad Jr., Joseph P. Kerwin, and Paul J. Weitz. The crew spent 28 days aboard Skylab, performing critical repairs to the damaged station while conducting solar, medical, and scientific experiments that proved humans could successfully live and work in space for extended periods. Their mission salvaged the Skylab program and laid important groundwork for future long-duration spaceflight missions.

An impressive flown artifact display directly connected to the historic first manned mission to America’s first space station.

Authentication:
Includes a full letter of authenticity from JG Autographs, Inc.

Premium:
A 25% Buyers Premium Will Be Added to All Winning Bids

Reference sku: 11654 1415558-1