posted 08-08-2026 09:01 PM               

Autographed class photos of the first six groups were usually difficult and expensive to obtain. The alternative was to also accept group signed material other than NASA class photos. So, continuing with the shuttle program, in addition to acquiring signed class photos, I also obtained other types of group signed material when necessary, such as signed launch photos, sheets of paper and covers.

So, shown below, are six examples of one collector's efforts in his pursuit of NASA astronaut class signed material from NASA Astronaut Group 1 to Group 20.

To begin with, here is a NASA class photo signed by the entire NASA Astronaut Class of 1996, Group 16, and serves as an example of a standard NASA class signed photo. This was NASA's largest astronaut class, with 34 NASA astronaut candidates, and 10 international astronaut candidates for a total of 44 astronauts and autographs.

The seven Mercury astronauts of Group 1 resided at the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn and while there all seven nicely signed this Holiday Inn stationary sheet.

All 11 NASA Group 6 scientist-astronauts nicely signed this thick paper sheet that was obtained in a Novaspace auction in 2003. This is an unusual thing to have signed, but is quite acceptable from this rare class and are excellent examples of their autographs. Four of the 11 resigned, while the other seven flew years later on the shuttle.

The seven NASA Group 7 astronauts signed this space shuttle launch photo. They were selected from the canceled Department of Defense Manned Orbiting Laboratory Program.

The 17 astronaut candidates of NASA Class 18 all signed this beautiful shuttle launch photo.

This NASA photo pictures the NASA Astronaut Group 20/Class of 2009's official class emblem and is signed by all nine NASA astronauts. When acquired, it was signed by only eight of the nine (plus two of the five international astronauts in that class). However, just a couple of months after obtaining this signed photo that lacked Jeanette Epps' autograph to be complete, fate was very kind to me as she had an appearance within 50 miles of me, so I was able to meet her and have her sign and complete this photo now signed by all nine of the Group 20 ascans.

posted 08-09-2026 05:34 PM               

At the top is a photo of five of the six Group 4 scientist-astronauts, along with a cover signed by the actual six. The sixth member, Duane Graveline, resigned soon after being selected and was not included in the group's official portrait.

Graveline and F. Curtis Michel did not fly in space, but Owen Garriott and Joe Kerwin flew on both Skylab and the shuttle, and Ed Gibson on Skylab, with Harrison Schmitt becoming the 12th moonwalker on Apollo 17.

Below is a shuttle stamp First Day Cover nicely autographed by all 21 NASA Group 9 astronauts. (It required three separate mailings to JSC to complete, with the first return resulting in 17 autographs.)

Also autographed by the Group 9 astronauts, is this impressive NASA litho picturing and autographed by all 21 Group 9 astronauts (acquired from another collector).