Posts: 593
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017

posted 07-24-2018 12:06 PM               

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I know many collectors have probably already bought the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Space Artifact lucite series, but for new collectors, for a very limited time, the remaining two years (2012 and 2011) are available for 50% off the $799 normal price.

Just a heads up and a great bargain —  promo code is "july18". Also a good cause to donate to.

Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

Posts: 593
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017

Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014

Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 07-26-2018 10:26 AM               

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Space shuttle items will not have the same value as Mercury, Gemini and Apollo items for several reasons, but the main one is the availability. There were many more shuttle flights with more crew allowing for many more items to be made available.

So while there are are only a certain number of flags flown to the moon, there are many more flags that flew on shuttle mission making them fare less rare than Apollo ones.

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-26-2018 10:42 AM               

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Flags may be in greater number, but other items are not. Shuttle astronauts were under far tighter control as to what they could keep as mementos and equipment was more often reused between missions then during the programs that preceded the space shuttle.

For example, it is easier to find flown Apollo cockpit controls in private hands than the same for the space shuttle, even though Apollo examples are relatively limited.

In any case, it was not solely for a lack of collector interest that brought an end to the artifact series, but the unavailability of material for embedding combined with a change of direction in the ASF's approach to fundraising.

Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 07-26-2018 01:04 PM               

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That is true Robert, but there were 133 successful missions of the shuttle vs 11 Apollo missions (not counting ASTP and Skylab). And while astronauts had tighter controls of what they could keep, there were many more of them then Apollo flown astronauts. And NASA itself had (many, several) auctions of flown shuttle hardware. It is much easier and much less expensive to find flown shuttle items, even things like whole blankets and tiles, than larger or complete flown Apollo hardware.

Of course that makes you final point more salient. A change in fundraising approach. Not being a part of that, I can't say anything towards that, but it is a shame they did not (could not) keep these up. It is a way to reach small(er) budget collectors and keep up the interest in ASF among more people.

Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 07-26-2018 04:14 PM               

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With the number of flights well documented it is my belief that the next generation of space collectors will flock to the most Iconic image of American success since the moon landings and that is the American Space Shuttle program.

Nothing since the Saturn V rocket has has had a visual impact like the Space Shuttle and unlike Mercury, Gemini, Apollo that combined lasted just over a decade the shuttle flew for 30 years making this a truly multi-generational platform.

As we age most people collect nostalgia, Things that remind them of their youth. We collect Mercury through Apollo as this for the most part was our childhood and I believe in the coming years that will be the Space Shuttle.

The early programs will always have their collectors but our kids will be drawn to Shuttle era memorabilia. Talk to me in 20 years and see if this has come true.

Posts: 593
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 07-26-2018 04:42 PM               

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Why do I collect mostly shuttle? Because I identify and came of age when the shuttle flew. I "borrowed" from my sixth grade classroom a copy of National Geographic with the lead article, "When the Shuttle Finally Flies."

I barely remember Skylab (aside from perhaps CBS's "In the News" shorts during Saturday morning cartoons), don't remember ASTP. Shuttle is "my" program — especially as an 11-year-old kid reading that NatGeo and thinking, really, that perhaps you (me) would actually get to fly in shuttle.

Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-26-2018 06:49 PM               

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I can't imagine the trove of items that are being extracted from the Mission Control consoles being restored currently. Granted, that has nothing to do with the ASF, but there are always items being restored (Liberty Bell 7, Apollo 13, etc.), demolished (any launch pad at KSC, buildings, etc.), or re-purposed (OPFs, other Mission Control Centers, etc) that could deliver items for collectors. Many of these items end up being recycled/destroyed.

As for astronaut items (what ASF was placing in these acrylics), I do agree that items would be rather difficult. I love collecting sports cards with game worn jersey swatches but I highly doubt an astronaut would want their flown jacket/pants to be cut up into tiny little pieces.

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-26-2018 07:46 PM               

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Legally, NASA cannot provide any of its material from restorations or demolitions for the purposes of fundraising, regardless the cause.

(The reason Liberty Bell 7 acrylics were possible was because the Cosmosphere owned the spacecraft.)