THE STS-8 FLIGHT COVER                        USPS/NASA Through the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Postal Service and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, this special event cover (envelope) was developed and carried aboard STS-8, NASA’S official designation for the eighth Space Shuttle flight.   This cover is unique because it is the first to record the flight into space with originating and returning postal cancellations.  The covers front cachet is a reproduction of NASA’s official “patch” design for STS-8, and the cachet on the reverse side depicts NASA’s 25th anniversary logo.  The stamp affixed is also noteworthy because it was issued at the Kennedy Space Center on the 12th August 1983.  The August 14, 1983, cancellation date on the front cover indicates the day STS-8 was scheduled to be launched with its cargo of covers, including this one. NASA’s 25th anniversary logo is part of the cancellation design on the front of the cover. The circular postmark cancellation     On the reverse side of the cover indicates the place and date the shuttle returned to Earth. Members of the crew were Richard H. truly, commander, Daniel C. Brandenstein, Dale A. Gardner, Guion S. Bluford and William B. Thornton During the flight, the INSAT-1B communications satellite was put into orbit and several important experiments were conducted.  One of these included using an electric field to separate molecules in liquid suspension, for possible pharmaceutical applications.  Also the 50 foot-long mechanical arm in the cargo payload area was tested in preparation for retrieving the Solar Observatory Satellite which was launched several years ago to monitor the sun.  On a later Shuttle flight, NASA plans to have astronauts take the ailing observatory out of its orbit, make repairs and then re-launch it.

This is the first "flown in space" cover available to the public.

Description:     :             STS-8 Challenger Space Shuttle cover                                                        Flown in Space This is the first "flown in space" cover available to the public. Only 165,00 covers were flown. Each has a serial number on the back. Cancels on front show launch date of Aug.30, 1983 and return to earth date of Sept. 5, 1983. Also an Aug.14, 1983 cance (original scheduled launch date). The stamp was issued at Cape Kennedy on Aug. 12, 1983. A cover of historical significance! Price: $65.00.

The STS-8 Getting ready for launch

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