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Author
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Topic: Astronaut Scholars' Space Artifact Series
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ASF1984
Member Posts: 167
From: Titusville, Florida USA
Registered: Sep 2009
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posted 12-07-2010 11:22 AM
  
We’d like to take a moment to say that we appreciate everyone’s concerns about the third flown item for this year’s series. The ASF staff is working diligently to make sure that this last item will meet our (and your) high standards of quality so that this year’s series will shine like all the previous editions. Thanks for your patience and all your support. We also want to let everyone know that right now if you order both the 2011 Space Artifact Series and the Astronaut Autograph Club, you can save $100 by using the code SAVE-2011 at checkout.
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Jeff
Member Posts: 474
From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 12-08-2010 01:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ASF1984:
...you can save $100 by using the code SAVE-2011 at checkout.
Not sure how many people will jump at this discount without knowing what the third item is. Will the discount continue until after the item is identified? |
Sam Que
Member Posts: 180
From: Chicago, IL, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 12-12-2010 02:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jeff:
Not sure how many people will jump at this discount without knowing what the third item is.
Although I don't know what the third artifact will be, I placed my order last week. After all it is a great cause and it is always a pleasure dealing with the staff at ASF. |
Sam Que
Member Posts: 180
From: Chicago, IL, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 12-23-2010 09:26 PM
I received my ASTP artifact today. A nice surprise to receive it before the holidays. For the most part I am satisfied with it. A very nice looking presentation piece but the artifacts are not centered in the acrylic as well as in artifacts in the group I received this past years. However, still happy with it. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-23-2010 09:40 PM
That's great that people are receiving them! If you could, please post pics so we can see.I am still holding out, waiting for that third piece to be announced... |
sthomas9999
Member Posts: 79
From: Johnson City, TN
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-24-2010 02:01 PM
#35 just landed in Tennessee. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-25-2010 10:17 AM
#58 is here in Georgia |
Jeff
Member Posts: 474
From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 01-28-2011 09:27 PM
Has anyone received notification of the 3rd artifact? |
sthomas9999
Member Posts: 79
From: Johnson City, TN
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 01-29-2011 08:16 AM
Not yet. |
c11esh
Member Posts: 34
From: UK
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 02-16-2011 10:40 AM
Just received this email: The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is proud to announce the third 2011 Space Artifact Series installment to complete your trio – a STS-3 Strain Gauge Harness Component authenticated by STS-3 Commander Jack Lousma. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 02-16-2011 11:26 AM
The ASF website has already updated the imagery for the 2011 series.  |
Jeff
Member Posts: 474
From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 02-16-2011 12:15 PM
I think I'll pass this years series up also. |
ASF1984
Member Posts: 167
From: Titusville, Florida USA
Registered: Sep 2009
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posted 02-16-2011 12:32 PM
We have officially released the third item for the 2011 Space Artifact Series! As seen above, it is a Strain Gauge Harness Component from STS-3. Memberships are going quickly but you can still claim your space for $699 while supplies last.Visit our website to get yours today!
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MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 02-16-2011 03:10 PM
The acrylic looks attractive. Dumb question: Where does the Strain Gauge Harness Component come from?There go my hopes of a Gemini acrylic being available from ASF.  |
Sam Que
Member Posts: 180
From: Chicago, IL, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 02-16-2011 04:23 PM
Although a great charity/cause, I am a little disappointed with the selection. I was hoping for an Apollo artifact. I too am uncertain what exactly this third artifact is. Hopefully someone can provide some information. (I do realize the ASTP is technically part of the Apollo program but was hoping for a lunar mission.) |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-16-2011 06:29 PM
I believe the orbiter has a number of strain gauges that are designed to measure the loads and stresses on critical structural components. There may have been a higher number of strain gauges on the earliest shuttle "test flights" (including STS-3), but I suspect the shuttle still flies with several strain gauges.Of course, any information about the location of the strain gauge harness in the SAS acrylic would likely result in a more desirable (and meaningful) artifact. Perhaps the source for this artifact still has the original paperwork and that information could be made available. |
ASF1984
Member Posts: 167
From: Titusville, Florida USA
Registered: Sep 2009
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posted 02-17-2011 09:24 AM
This Strain Gauge Wire Harness Component was part of the wire harness for the strain gauges mounted behind the wings leading edge on re-inforced carbon-carbon panel #13. It flew on two missions of the orbiter Columbia, STS-3 and STS-4. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-17-2011 11:03 AM
Thanks for providing that detail! The leading edge of Columbia's wing is, of course, the point where STS-107 was fatally damaged. Knowing this information help make the artifact more interesting to collectors, since they can pinpoint where their item came from and what role it played. |
paulushumungus
Member Posts: 466
From: Burton, Derbyshire, England
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 02-18-2011 02:54 PM
Although I have purchased the 2011 series (and also have the last two years too), I agree that Apollo is the big interest really and I too am a little disappointed that the third acrylic is again from the Shuttle programme. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-20-2011 02:14 AM
I'm glad I held off from committing to this years series (I have the two previous series). In my opinion, the first SAS was the most interesting as each item was a piece of the actual spacecraft (tyre, kapton foil and couch netting). |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 04-28-2011 07:19 PM
The second installment of this year’s offering, the STS-120 Astronaut EVA Hydration Pack Section, has arrived in Georgia! It is absolutely stunning and I am very pleased. |
daveblog
Member Posts: 135
From: Bergenfield, NJ USA
Registered: May 2004
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posted 04-29-2011 11:23 AM
Mine arrived in NJ yesterday. It was nice that they included a photograph of the original water pouch on the reverse side of the COA. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 04-30-2011 07:47 AM
Anyone want to post photos? |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-11-2011 04:29 PM
Well, here is a photo from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation page on Facebook. The acrylic looks really nice.  Anyone else have photos of this or the ASTP acrylic? I guess not very many ordered this set? |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-12-2011 12:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
Anyone else have photos of this or the ASTP acrylic?
Here is where I displayed the ASTP Lucite. It sits between the Revell 1/96 scale model of the ASTP and a piece of the CM Kapton skin. It is a little hard to see in the photo but the black pieces in the Lucite are the CM heat shield. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-08-2011 02:28 PM
Well everyone, I caved and decided to get the 2011 series. Surprisingly, I am not disappointed. My only gripe is that the ASTP acrylic has really small crumbs of heatshield. Other than that, the COAs are cool, the acrylics look nice, and I got a really good deal on the set. For now, here are two photos of the two acrylics so far so everyone can get a better idea:  I honestly recommend this set to anyone that collects flown space artifacts incased in acrylic form. I am eager to received the STS-3 artifact soon. Also, if anyone from the ASF is reading this: please please please have a Mercury capsule or Gemini spacecraft artifact in the next series (like a bolt, heatshield, foil, wiring, anything)!! So far, I think ASF is getting better and better with these collections. Anyone agree? |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-25-2011 05:06 PM
Third and final ASF lucite for 2011, #58, has arrived here in Guyton! It is amazing, just as the others have been. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 08-30-2011 11:55 PM
Got mine last week as well. Sorry it took a while to post. Overall, it is a nice, colorful acrylic. It is also an interesting artifact. I really hope the 2012 series (if there is one) highlights more Mercury, Gemini, Apollo (please no checklists, parts of checklists, or cloths used to wipe stuff). So far I rank 2009 the best, followed by 2011, and a distant third the 2010 series. #79 here  
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MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 11-24-2011 12:09 AM
Any news on a 2012 series? |
p.kentzinger
Member Posts: 95
From: Kienheim, France
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-06-2011 02:46 PM
Subscription mail received today: The 2012 Space Artifact Series is here and became ultra exclusive with only 100 series being offered! - 2012 featured artifacts will be at least 1” x 1.5” in size and include:
- Columbia Insulation Blanket Section flown as part of Columbia on STS-1 with astronaut Robert Crippen, and on 25 following OV-102 missions
- STS-6 Activity Page Segment flown aboard Challenger with astronaut Paul Weitz
- SPACEHAB Strap Segment flown as part of STS-118 payload, with astronaut Barbara Morgan
These artifacts are accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity by Crippen, Weitz, and Morgan.  |
randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 12-06-2011 04:33 PM
Although I did order the 2012 set I must admit that I am disappointed with the artifacts. Not only are all three from the Shuttle program but the acrylic with the piece of flown checklist from STS-6 costs more than a complete flown checklist page (I've seen these flown pages available for under $250.00).I believe that a price of $499 for the set is appropriate considering the artifacts. It will be interesting to see how many of the 2012 sets will be sold. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-06-2011 07:07 PM
The email did say to keep the information under wraps... |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 12-07-2011 04:01 PM
Well, it is kind of tough to keep a secret if you e-mail it to dozens (if not hundreds) of people.  |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 12-09-2011 05:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Well, it is kind of tough to keep a secret if you e-mail it to dozens (if not hundreds) of people.
 |
randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 12-09-2011 08:24 PM
Now that the 'genies out of the bottle' how about some comments regarding the artifacts being offered?Are you disappointed that they are all from the shuttle program? Do you think the price is too high, too low or just right? For the collectors who bought the previous year(s) series will you buy the 2012 series? |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-10-2011 12:38 AM
I'll give my two cents since I have the 2009, 2011, and one from the 2010 series.I will most likely not buy the 2012 series for a number of reasons. Yes, I am a little disappointed that they are all from the Shuttle program. Come on, they could have at least tried to do a Gemini or even an Apollo artifact. I am also disappointed that they are doing the whole "cutting up a page" deal with the STS-6 item. The price for all three of them is also way too high considering they are from the Shuttle program. I also think that a $499 price would have been acceptable, but $699 is way too much. Now for the plus side. I think the STS-1 artifact is the ONLY one that is worth getting. STS-6 was the first Challenger mission but the artifact is a cut up piece of paper, not a spacecraft artifact. STS-118 was also a great mission, but not a desired mission. I would get that artifact just to get another Morgan autograph in my collection. I think this may be the last artifact series we see. It's a limited number (100 compared to 250 which means the others are not even close to selling out yet), it's an all Shuttle set, and collectors seem to favor pre-Shuttle artifacts at that price point. The writing is on the wall (unless they do an all Russian set with fragments from a Soyuz, ISS pump/assembly/anything, and a Sokol spacesuit component). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-10-2011 10:36 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
Come on, they could have at least tried to do a Gemini or even an Apollo artifact.
I think it's unrealistic for collectors to expect there are any remaining Mercury, Gemini or Apollo artifacts available in such a size as to be able to produce a large number of acrylics (even if limited to 100). If the astronauts still possessed such material or if it was available to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation through other means, it would have been done. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 12-10-2011 11:00 AM
They could have found a parachute, a parachute chord, flotation devices, different items that we have not seen in lucite form (kapton, heatshield, accessories).However, I do understand the scarcity, especially with Mercury program material. But with that reasoning, we'll see shuttle program acrylics for the rest of our lives when we all know that STS-1 is probably the only sought after mission in terms of acrylics for that program. That's why I think they should make an ISS themed series next time. Russians sell their space capsules to the space tourists, flown Russian spacesuit components are available online, parts of the actual ISS have been brought back to Earth. I am sure several collectors would love having acrylics like that in their set. ASF needs a little more creativity and outside of the box thinking. |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-12-2011 11:22 AM
Availability of any M-G-A/ Skylab artifacts is also limited by the current owner's desire to donate them to the ASF rather than sell them on the open market. I'm sure there are plenty of flown items out there in the hands of the astronauts and in private collections.What individuals do with their items is totally up to them, and I can't imagine the lengths the ASF staff goes to trying to secure appropriate artifacts. But the simple truth is, the astronauts retained these items either for posterity or future profit and may not be willing to donate them, no matter how good the cause. A private collector who spent big money on a piece might not choose to provide it and have it all cut up. I have seen a good number of items sell in recent years that would make a fantastic product for ASF, but it seems to me that if they want to be able to offer what most here are looking for, they might have to consider putting out some cash. ASF brings in a good amount of money, and while any expenditure would eat into scholarship payouts, if they came up with a "knock it out of the park" series, the potential net gain might more than offset this. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 12-12-2011 06:30 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
That's why I think they should make an ISS themed series next time.
When I saw Greg Olsen's capsule displayed at a Princeton mall, I walked all around it and noticed some kapton(?) loose around the top. With nothing but rope barriers around it, I'll admit to thinking, "Hmmmm..." |
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