Details:

STS-61-C crew autographed commemorative cover, postmarked Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, November 11, 1984, and signed by all seven members of the Space Shuttle STS-61-C mission crew: Robert L. Gibson, Charles Bolden, George Nelson, Steven Hawley, Franklin Chang-Díaz, Bill Nelson, and Robert J. Cenker.

The STS-61-C crew has signed this attractive shuttle-related cover featuring the Space Shuttle Enterprise following its arrival at Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. The cachet commemorates an important chapter in the Space Shuttle program as NASA prepared Vandenberg for potential shuttle operations from the West Coast. The cover bears the signatures of the entire STS-61-C crew, one of the most notable crews of the shuttle era.

Launched aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on January 12, 1986, STS-61-C was commanded by Robert Gibson with pilot Charles Bolden and mission specialists George Nelson, Steven Hawley, Franklin Chang-Díaz, Bill Nelson, and payload specialist Robert J. Cenker. The mission successfully deployed the SATCOM KU-1 communications satellite and conducted a variety of scientific and technological experiments. STS-61-C is also remembered as the final Space Shuttle mission completed before the Challenger disaster later that month.

Fine condition.

Robert L. Gibson is a former NASA astronaut and veteran of five Space Shuttle missions. Charles Bolden flew four shuttle missions before serving as Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017. George Nelson participated in three shuttle missions and conducted multiple spacewalks. Steven Hawley flew on five shuttle missions and helped deploy several major scientific payloads. Franklin Chang-Díaz became the first Hispanic American astronaut and flew on seven Space Shuttle missions. Bill Nelson flew aboard STS-61-C before later serving as a United States Senator from Florida and Administrator of NASA. Robert J. Cenker flew as a payload specialist representing RCA and participated in the deployment and operation of commercial communications payloads. Together, the crew represents an important chapter in the history of the Space Shuttle program.

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

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Reference sku: 11519 1416224-1