Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A. and a full historical research write-up

Thanks to the overwhelming demand for our authentic "Piece of History" display collections, we are excited to introduce one of our very first “Piece of History” NASA patch display collections! This incredible NASA astronaut “Piece of History“ display is professionally encased in a glass display case with plush padding and a tightly sealed display case. This display case is our large size and measures a perfect 8 inches tall x 6 inches wide.

This series is a limited edition, meaning that each “Piece of History” display is unique and may vary slightly from the display shown. These displays stand as a distinctive and invaluable addition to the collection of any NASA, Apollo, or history enthusiast.
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This incredibly rare and very historic piece of NASA space history is an original "STS-41C” Space Shuttle Challenger astronaut mission match that was worn as well as given to astronauts and Mission Control personnel who played a role in the STS-41C and the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Program.

STS-41C, launched on April 6, 1984, marked a significant milestone for NASA's Space Shuttle program with its ambitious objectives of repairing the malfunctioning Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite and deploying the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF).

The mission, crewed by five astronauts including Commander Robert L. Crippen and Pilot Francis R. Scobee, demonstrated the Shuttle's capability to perform complex in-orbit repairs, as Nelson and van Hoften successfully restored the SMM's functionality despite initial difficulties.

The subsequent flawless deployment of the LDEF further showcased the Shuttle's versatility. STS-41C's success underscored the Shuttle's potential for extending satellite lifespans and paved the way for future missions, notably the repair of the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993, solidifying its legacy as a pivotal achievement in space exploration.

STS-41C Mission Facts:
Mission: Long Duration Exposure Facility deploy, first on-orbit spacecraft repair

Space Shuttle: Challenger

Launch Pad: 39A

Launch Weight: 254,254 pounds

Launched: April 6, 1984 at 8:58:00 a.m. EST

Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Landing: April 13, 1984 at 5:38:07 a.m. PST

Landing Weight: 196,975 pounds

Runway: 17

Rollout Distance: 8,716 feet

Rollout Time: 49 seconds

Revolution: 108

Mission Duration: 6 days, 23 hours, 40 minutes, 7 seconds

Orbit Altitude: 313 nautical miles

Orbit Inclination: 28.5 degrees

Miles Traveled: 2.9 million

Crew:
Robert L. Crippen, Commander
Francis R. Scobee, Pilot
George D. Nelson, Mission Specialist
James D.A. van Hoften, Mission Specialist
Terry J. Hart, Mission Specialist

We authenticate our piece of history at the micro level! During the authentication process sometimes we use high-res microscopes. In the last image of the listing, I included a few high-res images of the “Original "STS-41C" NASA 1984 Space Shuttle Challenger Astronaut Mission Patch” that was done during this authentication process!

*In the last images of this listing, you will see two digitally sourced historical images of this item and its role in history!

This would make an amazing addition to any NASA, Apollo, or space history enthusiast collection.