posted 11-05-2016 09:47 AM               

Space Cover 390: Santiago de Chile tracking station

On May 4, 1989 was launched the shuttle Atlantis in the mission STS-30 with the primary objective to put in orbit the Magellan probe towards our neighbour planet Venus.

However, this very important mission also saw the closure of the Santiago de Chile tracking station, It was a NASA decision to reduce expenses meanwhile the new communication satellite fleet TDRSS was being installed.

Tracking Data and Relay System were a series of satellites deployed by shuttle space between 80's and 90's intended to replace ground tracking stations operated by human personnel.

When Atlantis Commander David M. Walker contacted via radio with Santiago on May 5, 1989 he remembered that exactly 28 years before, on May 5, 1961 during the Alan B. Shepard flight, this tracking station started its operational life. Their last words were "Adiós Santiago" (goodbye Santiago) in Spanish language as a mode thanks.

Commonly, all astrophilatelists are devoted to commemorate the firsts (first launch, first rocket, first day…) and forget the lasts (last launch, last rocket or last day…).

The cover above pictured commemorates the launch of STS-30 and is devoted to tracking station located in Santiago de Chile, where is postmarked.

Not later covers from Santiago linked to the space shuttle program can be found.