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.
______________________________

This incredibly rare and very historic piece of NASA space history is an original "STS-73” Space Shuttle Columbia astronaut mission match that was worn as well as given to astronauts and Mission Control personnel who played a role in the STS-73 and U.S. Microgravity Laboratory (USML) Program.

STS-73, launched on October 20, 1995, aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, focused on microgravity research with the United States Microgravity Laboratory-2 (USML-2).

Commanded by Kenneth D. Bowersox, the mission's diverse crew conducted experiments in materials science, fluid physics, and biotechnology. These studies, including protein crystal growth and fluid dynamics, advanced knowledge in development, manufacturing, and environmental technology.

Overcoming time management challenges, STS-73 exemplified international collaboration in space research and inspired future missions, highlighting the Space Shuttle program's role in scientific and technological innovation.

Mission Facts
Mission: USML-2

Space Shuttle: Columbia

Launch Pad: 39B

Launched: October 20, 1995 at 9:53:00 a.m. EDT

Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Landing: November 5, 1995 at 6:45:21 a.m. EST

Runway: 33
Rollout Distance: 9,032 feet

Rollout Time: 55 seconds

Revolution: 256

Mission Duration: 15 days, 21 hours, 52 minutes, 28 seconds

Orbit Altitude: 150 nautical miles

Orbit Inclination: 39 degrees

Miles Traveled: 6.6 million

Crew:
Kenneth D. Bowersox, Commander

Kent V. Rominger, Pilot

Kathryn C. Thornton, Payload Commander

Catherine G. Coleman, Mission Specialist

Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, Mission Specialist

Fred W. Leslie, Payload Specialist

Albert Sacco, Jr., Payload 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-73" NASA 1995 Space Shuttle Columbia 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.