A creative director obsessed with design and space exploration has launched a campaign to bring a "galactic greeting card" from billions of miles out into space back to Earth — by producing and offering exact replicas.
Forty-five years ago, NASA launched Pioneer 10, the first probe to encounter Jupiter and to achieve escape velocity from our solar system. Mounted to its antenna support was a gold anodized aluminum plaque that was engraved with "a little bit of where we are, when we are and who we are," according to the late Carl Sagan, who helped to create the plaque on the off chance that another space-faring society were to someday come across the derelict probe.
"[It] was quite possibly the most ambitious piece of visual communication ever conceived," said Duane King, as part of his Kickstarter campaign. "And now I am bringing it back to Earth."
David C Member
Posts: 1014 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 05-18-2017 03:54 PM
I've wanted one of these since I first saw the art back in the 70s. Pledged for the manually engraved version.
David C Member
Posts: 1014 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 12-21-2017 04:00 PM
Mine's arrived and it's stunning. Easily the best space replica item I own, and more meaningful than most of the original items in my collection. The packaging is fantastic as well.
Really surprised at the lack of interest here in this.
NASAgoob Member
Posts: 96 From: Dallas, Texas, USA Registered: Oct 2008
posted 12-22-2017 05:50 AM
Agree with you on all points. It’s stunning and we lucked out. Duane is first class all the way.
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 12-22-2017 09:50 AM
Is there a way to get one of the reissues now? I somehow missed this campaign.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-22-2017 10:49 AM
According to his updates on Kickstarter, Duane King is still working to deliver the plaques to those who backed the original campaign, so I don't think he has had a chance yet to consider a secondary offer.
Though not produced to the same spec as the original (or Duane King's replica), Ponciano Barbosa of Precision Engravers, the craftsman who made the plaques for NASA (and for King), offers a wooden plaque-mounted plate on his website.
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 12-22-2017 08:02 PM
Mine arrived and yes, it looks great.
Next step is to figure out how to display it. Any suggestions?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-16-2018 01:06 AM
Duane King has now established an online shop for his replica Pioneer plaque, as well as his custom Pioneer patches and lapel pin.
posted 05-17-2017 08:50 AM
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