Details:

STS-61-A commemorative cover autographed by the entire eight-member crew: Henry W. Hartsfield Jr., Steven R. Nagel, Bonnie J. Dunbar, James D. A. Buchli, Guion S. Bluford Jr., Reinhard Furrer, Ernst Messerschmid, and Wubbo Ockels. The cover bears a Greenbelt, Maryland postmark dated October 1985 and commemorates Spacelab D1, one of the most significant international missions of the Space Shuttle program. Flown aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, STS-61-A was the final Spacelab mission launched from the United States and the first Shuttle mission to carry an eight-person crew. Sponsored primarily by West Germany, the mission conducted more than 75 scientific experiments in life sciences, materials science, fluid physics, and technology development, marking a milestone in international cooperation in human spaceflight.

Fine condition.

Henry W. Hartsfield Jr. (1933–2014) was a U.S. Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut who commanded STS-61-A, his third and final Space Shuttle mission. He previously piloted STS-4 and commanded STS-41-D, the maiden flight of Discovery.

Steven R. Nagel (1946–2014) flew four Space Shuttle missions and served as pilot on STS-61-A. A former U.S. Air Force test pilot, he later became Deputy Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Bonnie J. Dunbar (b. 1949) flew five Space Shuttle missions during a distinguished NASA career spanning nearly three decades. An accomplished engineer and payload specialist, she logged more than 1,200 hours in space.

James D. A. Buchli (b. 1945) is a former U.S. Marine Corps aviator who flew on four Space Shuttle missions, including STS-61-A. He later contributed to the development of advanced spaceflight systems in both government and private industry.

Guion S. Bluford Jr. (b. 1942) became the first African American to travel into space during STS-8. A decorated Air Force pilot and aerospace engineer, he completed four Shuttle missions and remains one of NASA’s most influential astronauts.

Reinhard Furrer (1940–1995) was a German physicist and astronaut who flew as a payload specialist on STS-61-A. He played a leading role in the German-sponsored Spacelab D1 mission and conducted numerous experiments in microgravity before his untimely death in an aircraft accident.

Ernst Messerschmid (b. 1945) is a German physicist and astronaut who served as a payload specialist on STS-61-A. Following his NASA mission, he became a professor of aerospace engineering and a prominent advocate for international space cooperation.

Wubbo Ockels (1946–2014) became the first Dutch citizen to fly in space aboard STS-61-A. A physicist, educator, and innovator, he later became a leading advocate for sustainable technology and renewable energy while remaining one of Europe’s pioneering astronauts.

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

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Reference sku: 11519 1416864-1