posted 10-27-2012 01:00 PM               

Space Cover #185: A multi-signed and well-traveled cover for STS-1

Most of us who collect autographed covers like multi-signed covers and mailing a cover off several times for multiple autographs to be applied isn't uncommon. But a large number of mailings can be risky and if a cover that's been signed by several space personalities doesn't return, then all the time, effort and results are lost.

But with the excitement and anticipation of STS-1, the first Space Shuttle launch and flight approaching in 1980, I decided to try something extra special. I decided to send the same cover to each NASA Center Director, one-at-a-time, that would result in a cover signed by all the Center Directors that were serving at the time of STS-1. That required ten separate mailings, with ten sent out and ten back to me. The chances of loss with that many mailings, twenty, back and forth, were great but I went ahead with the project. And after just seven months, from November 1980 to June 1981, my efforts were rewarded, as my well-traveled cover completed its perilous journey and was complete!

In its seven months of travel, this cover went to California twice and back, to Washington, DC, twice, with other stops at JSC/Houston, MSFC/Huntsville, AL, KSC, FL and three other cities.

All of the NASA Center Directors who signed were long-time and key space program leaders, and they and a brief mention of their career highlights follow:

• Dr. Alan M. Lovelace, was the acting NASA Administrator at the time of STS-1

• Dr. Robert L. Frosch, June 1977-Jan. 81, was the NASA Administrator just prior to the STS-1 launch

• Clarence A. "Sy" Syvertson, Ames Research Center Director, 1977-84. Was involved in design of the XB-70 and M2 Lifting Bodies

• Isaac T. "Ike" Gillam IV, Dryden Flight Research Center Director, 1978-81. Was Director of Shuttle ops for ALT Program at Dryden

• Dr. A. Thomas Young, Goddard Space Flight Center Dir., 1979-82. Was mission director for the Project Viking Lander Program

• Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Johnson Space Center Director. Was MSC and JSC Director, 1972-82, and first NASA Flight Director.

• Richard G. Smith, KSC Director, 1979-85. Was Project manager for the Saturn Program at MSFC

• Donald P. Hearth, Langley Research Dir., 1975-85. Was director of Planetary Programs at NASA HQs, 1967-70.

• John F. McCarthy, Jr., Lewis Research Center Dir., 1978-82. At Rockwell International was involved in the basic design of the Apollo Command and Service Modules.

• William R. Lucas, Marshall Space Flight Center Dir., 1974-86. Was member of Werhner von Braun's rocket team at Redstone Arsenal.

Certainly there are many other covers that were sent out many times for multi-autographs and survived their risky journeys...

posted 11-17-2012 09:09 PM               

I agree, very nerve wracking but it paid off in this case!

posted 11-20-2012 08:14 PM               

This cover was autographed by the following:

1. NASA Hq. Program Director, Dr. Myron Malkin
   
2. JSC Program Manager, Robert Thompson
   
3. JSC Orbiter Project Manager, Aaron Cohen
   
4. JSC ALT Program Manager, Deke Slayton
   
5. KSC Project Manager, Dr. Robert Gray
   
6. MSFC Project Manager, Robert Lindstrom
   
7. MSFC SRB Project Manager, George Hardy
   
8. MSFC External Tank Project Manager, James Odom
   
9. MSFC SSME Project Manager, James Thompson