Details:

The STS-31 crew autographed this commemorative cacheted cover honoring the April 24, 1990 launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, one of the most significant scientific missions in the history of space exploration. Signed by all five crew members in ink: Loren J. Shriver, mission commander; Charles F. Bolden Jr., pilot; Bruce McCandless II, mission specialist; Steven A. Hawley, mission specialist; and Kathryn D. Sullivan, mission specialist. The cover bears a Pasadena, California, April 24, 1990 postmark issued on the day of launch and features artwork depicting Hubble’s Wide Field/Planetary Camera.

Fine condition.

Launched aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-31, the Hubble Space Telescope forever transformed astronomy by providing unprecedented views of the universe from above Earth’s atmosphere. During the five-day mission, the crew successfully deployed the 24,500-pound observatory into orbit, inaugurating what would become one of the most productive scientific instruments ever built. Hubble has contributed to thousands of discoveries, including refining the age of the universe, confirming the existence of supermassive black holes, and capturing some of the most iconic astronomical images ever produced.

Loren J. Shriver (b. 1944) is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and NASA astronaut who commanded STS-31, overseeing the successful deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Charles F. Bolden Jr. (b. 1946) is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General, former NASA astronaut, and served as the twelfth Administrator of NASA from 2009 to 2017.

Bruce McCandless II (1937–2017) was a U.S. Navy officer and NASA astronaut best remembered for making the first untethered spacewalk during STS-41-B using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.

Steven A. Hawley (b. 1951) is a NASA astronaut and astrophysicist who flew on five Space Shuttle missions, including STS-31, and played a key role in deploying and servicing major scientific payloads.

Kathryn D. Sullivan (b. 1951) is a geologist, former NASA astronaut, and the first American woman to perform a spacewalk. She later served as Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), becoming one of the few individuals to have both walked in space and reached the deepest point in Earth’s oceans.

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

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Reference sku: 11519 1416853-1