Space Shuttle Challenger - Sts - 61A Crew Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER - STS - 61A CREW
STS-61A, also known as Spacelab D-1, was a Space Shuttle mission launched aboard Space Shuttle Challenger on October 30, 1985. It was the 22nd flight of the Space Shuttle program and the ninth mission of Challenger. STS-61A holds the distinction of being the first shuttle mission to carry a full crew of eight astronauts, the largest crew for any single NASA spacecraft mission.
The mission was primarily sponsored by West Germany and focused on scientific experimentation under the Spacelab program. It was designated D-1 to signify the first dedicated German Spacelab flight. Over 75 scientific experiments were conducted in the fields of materials science, life sciences, and technology.
The STS-61A crew included:
Henry W. Hartsfield Jr. (Commander) – Born November 21, 1933, in Birmingham, Alabama; veteran astronaut who previously flew on STS-4 and STS-41D.
Steven R. Nagel (Pilot) – Born October 27, 1946, in Canton, Illinois; previously served on STS-51A.
Bonnie J. Dunbar (Mission Specialist) – Born March 3, 1949, in Sunnyside, Washington; her first spaceflight.
James F. Buchli (Mission Specialist) – Born June 20, 1945, in Fargo, North Dakota; veteran of STS-51C.
Guion S. Bluford Jr. (Mission Specialist) – Born November 22, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; second African-American in space and veteran of STS-8.
Ernst Messerschmid (Payload Specialist) – Born May 21, 1945, in Reutlingen, West Germany; a physicist selected by the German Aerospace Center.
Reinhard Furrer (Payload Specialist) – Born November 25, 1940, in Wörgl, Austria; German physicist and professor.
Wubbo Ockels (Payload Specialist) – Born March 28, 1946, in Almelo, Netherlands; the first Dutch citizen in space.
STS-61A lasted 7 days, 0 hours, 44 minutes, and 51 seconds, landing safely at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 6, 1985. It was the final successful flight of Challenger prior to its destruction during STS-51L in January 1986.
The mission was primarily sponsored by West Germany and focused on scientific experimentation under the Spacelab program. It was designated D-1 to signify the first dedicated German Spacelab flight. Over 75 scientific experiments were conducted in the fields of materials science, life sciences, and technology.
The STS-61A crew included:
Henry W. Hartsfield Jr. (Commander) – Born November 21, 1933, in Birmingham, Alabama; veteran astronaut who previously flew on STS-4 and STS-41D.
Steven R. Nagel (Pilot) – Born October 27, 1946, in Canton, Illinois; previously served on STS-51A.
Bonnie J. Dunbar (Mission Specialist) – Born March 3, 1949, in Sunnyside, Washington; her first spaceflight.
James F. Buchli (Mission Specialist) – Born June 20, 1945, in Fargo, North Dakota; veteran of STS-51C.
Guion S. Bluford Jr. (Mission Specialist) – Born November 22, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; second African-American in space and veteran of STS-8.
Ernst Messerschmid (Payload Specialist) – Born May 21, 1945, in Reutlingen, West Germany; a physicist selected by the German Aerospace Center.
Reinhard Furrer (Payload Specialist) – Born November 25, 1940, in Wörgl, Austria; German physicist and professor.
Wubbo Ockels (Payload Specialist) – Born March 28, 1946, in Almelo, Netherlands; the first Dutch citizen in space.
STS-61A lasted 7 days, 0 hours, 44 minutes, and 51 seconds, landing safely at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on November 6, 1985. It was the final successful flight of Challenger prior to its destruction during STS-51L in January 1986.
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SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER - STS - 61A CREW - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 296094Commemorative envelope signed by all eight crew members of the STS-61A mission, including "Hank Hartsfield", "Steve Nagel", and "Guion S. Bluford". Postmarked Merritt Island, Florida, October 30, 1985, marking the last successful flight of Challenger.Price: $300.00
