Author
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Topic: Astronaut Scholars' Space Artifact Series
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DCCollector Member Posts: 227 From: Washington, DC USA Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 03-25-2009 09:33 PM
Just came across the Space Artifact Series Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's website. Sounds like it could be interesting... |
daveblog Member Posts: 135 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2004
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posted 05-13-2009 10:02 AM
It is live now. I just ordered mine! 2009 SAS features: - Apollo 9 Lunar Module, Spider, insulation segment from astronaut Rusty Schweickart
- Apollo 13 Command Module, Odyssey, couch material from astronaut Fred Haise
- STS-27/STS-28, Space Shuttle tire segment from astronaut Robert "Hoot" Gibson
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paulushumungus Member Posts: 466 From: Burton, Derbyshire, England Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 05-13-2009 01:56 PM
These were on display at their stand at Autographica 13 and they were really nice. Does this mean that each year they will issue similar acrylics from other missions? |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-13-2009 03:10 PM
They will try to do it every year depending on the availability of items from the astronauts. I never knew that Rusty actually went over and yanked a piece of foil off before the end of his EVA... that acrylic will look nice next to my LEM contractor model.I think it is an okay price. I mean, a Kansas Cosmosphere Apollo 13 retailed for $500 at their gift shop and now sells for a lot more. While this is not the same, it is certainly similar and a good substitute. I am also not a big fan of buying something I have not seen, especially flown items. But it was too tempting to pass up. Anyone else order a set? Anyone take photos of them at Autographica? |
randyc Member Posts: 779 From: Chandler, AZ USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 05-13-2009 03:29 PM
I signed up for these artifacts earlier today. I already have several flown artifacts encased in 'shaved cone' acrylics with the mission emblem on the bottom, so these will look great with those. The money is also going to a great cause so it was an easy decision for me. |
manilajim Member Posts: 256 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-13-2009 07:53 PM
I ordered mine too. This is a great opportunity for collectors and absolutely no question as to the authenticity of these artifacts. Helping the ASF is always a good thing. |
Ben Member Posts: 1896 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-14-2009 10:42 AM
I placed an order as well. Is there any indication of when they will send the first one? |
randyc Member Posts: 779 From: Chandler, AZ USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 05-14-2009 11:52 AM
The first acrylic will be out in late May/early June; the second in late August/early September and the third in late November/early December. |
stsmithva Member Posts: 1933 From: Fairfax, VA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 05-14-2009 12:34 PM
I'll echo the positive comments - these are at the top of my list when I replenish my collecting budget. Interesting missions, nice artifacts, money going to a good cause... AND the provenance of a hand-signed COA from each astronaut. |
liebeek Member Posts: 247 From: the netherlands Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 05-14-2009 03:29 PM
One set will go to The Netherlands. Great lucites, great cause. Looking forward to enjoying them on a daily basis. |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-23-2009 10:06 AM
I am surprised these are not sold out yet. I thought they were going to fly off within a few days. Maybe the economy is affecting the sale.What sold me was the fact that the Apollo 9 foil is actually from Spider. And I also liked that the Apollo 13 acrylic looks eerily similar to the Cosmosphere acrylic. In many ways, it could potentially be better than the Cosmosphere's version of it. I am eager to receive my first one. As soon as someone receives one, post a photo! |
Jeff Member Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
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posted 06-01-2009 01:17 PM
Just received my first acrylic. It's the Shuttle tire fragment from the collection of “Hoot” Gibson.Very nice…. The pictures on the site don’t do it any justice. I have various acrylics in my collection already, however none are as large as this one. If the Apollo 9 and 13 gems are this quality and size, I’ll be very pleased. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 06-01-2009 02:29 PM
Received mine today and I have to say, it is a WONDERFUL lucite. Well done -- large, large fragment, and hand signed COA from Hoot, along with signature on the circular info piece embedded in the lucite. Serial number on COA and on the embedded sheet. Well done ASF! The quality has completely exceeded my expectations.Looking forward to the A13 and A9 pieces... and, of course, any others in the future. There are only 200 limited sets. I will be shocked if they don't sell out. PS: Happy to be serial number 11. |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-01-2009 03:57 PM
I received mine as well. It is WAY better than I expected.I don't think the pictures do it justice. You have to see it and hold it. I can't wait to get the other ones. If anyone has better pics, please post! I am #31. |
mjanovec Member Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 06-02-2009 12:18 AM
I also got my lucite today and am VERY pleased with it...and am happy that I decided to sign up for this series. I would love to see several years worth of artifacts presented this way.#59 here. |
Jeff Member Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
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posted 06-02-2009 07:26 AM
I've contacted the folks at ASF and asked if we the "Charter Members" of the artifact series will be provided any advanced notice on next year's set. I explained that my fear is I'll miss out on the next series once people realize this is a great thing they missed, and they jump onboard. The response from ASF was "Absolutely" ...additionally, they’re putting all of us on a contact list for future series notification. I'm #34. |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-02-2009 08:54 AM
That is great news! #58 |
manilajim Member Posts: 256 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2000
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posted 06-02-2009 11:39 AM
I received mine today (#30) and it is very well done with a decent size chunk of tire embedded within. ASF has hit a homerun with this series! |
daveblog Member Posts: 135 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2004
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posted 06-02-2009 12:08 PM
quote: Originally posted by manilajim: I received mine today (#30)
Mine didn't come yet and I live right next door to you! |
NJSPACEFAN Member Posts: 128 From: Ocala, FL USA Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 06-03-2009 07:18 PM
Those of you who got it, can you tell me how was it shipped to you? USPS, UPS, FEDEX?? I got an email dated 5-29 saying it was being shipped, that I'm #22 - but have not received anything yet. Thanks. |
Jeff Member Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
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posted 06-03-2009 07:37 PM
Mine was shipped via USPS.
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TRS Member Posts: 721 From: Wellington, New Zealand Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 06-04-2009 03:32 AM
Waiting eagerly in New Zealand!As a matter of interest - is there anyone over #100 out there? |
machbusterman Member Posts: 1778 From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Registered: May 2004
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posted 06-05-2009 03:22 PM
Mine arrived today... what a wonderful piece... can't wait for the rest of the series.I'm #17. Hats off to the ASF and the participating astronauts... can't get better provenance than an item that came directly from the astronaut involved in the mission. |
mjanovec Member Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 06-05-2009 04:18 PM
I don't know if I've seen it mentioned before, but for those who are struggling with coming up with $700 all at once have the option of paying for the Artifact Series in three installments. They will run your credit card three times over the year, in installments of $249 each, plus a one-time shipping fee.I don't know if that convinces anybody who is still sitting on the fence, but I figured it was worth mentioning. Contact the ASF for more information. |
liebeek Member Posts: 247 From: the netherlands Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 06-06-2009 07:06 PM
Mine arrived today and I think they did a great job! A truly stunning piece. Really looking forward to the other two.I am no. 45.
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-06-2009 07:28 PM
This was a great idea by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and executed brilliantly. As anyone who has seen my collection knows, I am a big fan of acrylics and in particular, slanted-face cylinders. As you can see, these fit right in... |
Check-Six New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 06-07-2009 12:32 AM
Impressive, Robert... But I think I have you beat on quantity, with over 3 dozen lucites encasing historic material from numerous aerospace programs...But you still win on quality |
TRS Member Posts: 721 From: Wellington, New Zealand Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 06-07-2009 08:14 PM
Mine arrived in New Zealand today - fantastic, a really really nice piece which is 'on loan' to a collegue's desk until I get it home tonight. What a fantastic start to the series.Craig #32 By the way Robert, what's the story behind the Skylab 'shaved cone' one you have there? - I haven't seen one of these other than in your collection... |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-07-2009 08:19 PM
I have only seen two... including the one I own. No idea who made it (the text on the bottom is purely descriptive of the history of Skylab). Both appeared on eBay, separated by about four years. I saw the first one, was outbid, then when the second was listed, I was steadfast in my determination to be the winning bidder. And I haven't seen another since... |
AJ Member Posts: 511 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 06-07-2009 09:04 PM
quote: Originally posted by MrSpace86: The bottom. I think this signature is preprinted, but I could be wrong
The ASF site says it is a "digital" signature. I hadn't planned on joining this series but after hearing such rave reviews, as well as receiving a nice brochure from ASF I'm seriously reconsidering... |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-07-2009 09:11 PM
quote: Originally posted by AJ: the ASF site says it is a "digital" signature.
Hmmm... I don't think it said that before. I even talked to someone on the phone the day they were announced and she said they were signed. So I was right. But since I am right, I think I want a refund. Joking. I still cannot wait to receive the others. Robert, you have a few acrylics I have been looking for. Any of yours for sale? I also noticed that the Apollo 13 ASF acrylic will be smaller than the Cosmosphere Apollo 13 acrylic. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-07-2009 09:15 PM
Sorry, the acrylics in my collection are not for sale. I should also note, regarding size, that the Apollo 13 acrylic pictured above is not the one that was sold by the Cosmosphere but rather a larger example that was prepared in limited number for the prime cast and crew of "Apollo 13", the movie. |
Aztecdoug Member Posts: 1405 From: Huntington Beach Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 06-12-2009 03:18 PM
#73 touched down in California at the Aztec Pleasure Palace/Science Center this week. I admit that I am a little excited at the prospect of getting a few more of these as the years roll by. It would be nice to maybe get a bit of this or that from each of the MGA Missions and then all five shuttles plus maybe even ALT before this all wraps up. My only suggestion would be if possible to ship the COA in a manner where the edge doesn't get curled up. Overall though extremely pleased I made the jump. |
Jay Member Posts: 82 From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA Registered: May 2005
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posted 06-12-2009 03:44 PM
quote: Originally posted by Check-Six: But I think I have you beat on quantity, with over 3 dozen lucites encasing historic material from numerous aerospace programs...
I guess you beat me too.....I only have 32. |
328KF Member Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-16-2009 07:25 PM
quote: Originally posted by MrSpace86: I never knew that Rusty actually went over and yanked a piece of foil off before the end of his EVA
Does anyone know that this was how the foil was obtained? I had never heard this before, and was wondering if someone had confirmed the source with ASF. |
Ken Havekotte Member Posts: 2913 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-16-2009 10:38 PM
Schweickart himself provided and donated the Kapton strip to the ASF. He detached a section of Kapton tape-insulation from LM-3 during his EVA to "Spider" on Flight Day 3. |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 06-16-2009 11:15 PM
Yes, I spoke to the people a the ASF and the first question I asked was how did they obtain LEM foil if the LEM burned up in the atmosphere and they explained to me that Rusty went over and cut a large section off at the end of his EVA. |
328KF Member Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-17-2009 09:39 AM
Excellent...thank you for the responses. |
p.kentzinger Member Posts: 95 From: Kienheim, France Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-20-2009 03:52 PM
#80 arrived in France yesterday. |
daveblog Member Posts: 135 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2004
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posted 06-22-2009 01:18 PM
#10 arrived in NJ late last week. What a beautiful addition to my lucite collection. I cannot wait for the other two this year, and whatever might be available next year! |