|
Author
|
Topic: Space Cover 236: SSS Explorer-45 Launch
|
Apollo-Soyuz
Member Posts: 1205
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted 10-20-2013 08:13 AM
   
Space Cover of the Week, Week 236 (October 20, 2013) Space Cover #236: SSS Explorer-45 LaunchThe space cover of the week while not of a major satellite launch is unique. This cover commemorates the launch of the Small Scientific Satellite (SSS) later designated Explorer=45 on November 15, 1971 aboard a Scout launch vehicle and is the first cover issued by the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Stamp Club. 1000 covers were serviced and sold out. In September 1971 the GSFC Stamp Club was formed with NASA emlpoyees and contractors as members.A few philatelists decided to form the club to assist and take over the philatelic affairs of the Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the center. One of the primary purposes of the club was to help cachet and cancel envelopes sent in by collectors. Envelopes were sent to the PAO for Mercury, Gemini. Apollo, Skylab, ASTP and Shuttle and other Goddard satellite launches. The stamp club also decided to issue commemorative launch envelopes commemorating Goddard managed satellites. I plan to show some of the covers serviced by the GSFC Stamp Club in future posts. ------------------
John Macco
Space Unit #1457 |
NAAmodel#240
Member Posts: 312
From: Boston, Mass.
Registered: Jun 2005
|
posted 10-21-2013 05:54 AM
What has Goddard's role been in spaceflight? Many think of the Center as a deep space tracking facility. Does it control missions and how would you contrast the function with that of JPL in Pasadena? |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 10-21-2013 08:29 AM
Generally, GSFC manages and controls unmanned earth-observation missions (like those for NOAA) and earth-orbiting astronomy satellites and platforms (Hubble, COBE, Swift), while JPL handles unmanned planetary missions. |
JBoe
Member Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012
|
posted 10-21-2013 06:06 PM
Is there still a Goddard Stamp Club and if so, what are the details in possibly joining? Thanks! |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
|
posted 10-21-2013 06:17 PM
As onesmallstep mentioned, Goddard has historically been the developer and operator of Earth science missions. And as NAAmodel240 mentioned, Goddard operates the NASA ground and space communications/tracking networks (along with developing the communications satellites needed for that job). But the boundaries have expanded. Goddard developed the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) that has been orbiting the moon for a number of years, sending back evidence of water on the moon and fantastic photos of the lunar landscape. Later this year, Goddard's MAVEN probe will be launched to analyze the Martian atmosphere. Goddard is developing the OSIRIS-REX mission to retrieve dust from an asteroid. The Goddard SOHO, Solar Dynamics Observatory, and STEREO missions are performing major research on the Sun. Goddard's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE)mission produced the first map of the residual energy from the Big Bang, and earned Goddard scientist John Mather a Nobel Prize. All five Hubble servicing missions were planned and developed at Goddard. And the next generation space telescope - the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is being developed there. And many more... Not just a tracking facility! The GSFC Stamp Club is still active and selling covers! You can contact them at jcwgsfcsc@aol.com . |
onesmallstep
Member Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007
|
posted 10-21-2013 06:20 PM
You can reach them at: GSFC Stamp Club
PO Box 261
Greenbelt, MD 20768-0261 I don't know about outsiders (i.e., non-NASA employees) joining as philatelists working at Goddard founded the club and took over the servicing of covers for space events. |
micropooz
Member Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
|
posted 10-21-2013 06:28 PM
The GSFC Stamp Club meetings are held at the GSFC Visitor Center, and hence are open to all comers. |
Apollo-Soyuz
Member Posts: 1205
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted 10-25-2013 06:59 PM
Here are some other covers serviced by the GSFC Stamp Club. 
|
advertisement