posted 05-18-2015 06:36 PM               

Space Cover 317: Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-C)

This week's space cover commemorates the launch of the Small Astronomy Satellite (SAS-C) on a Scout launch vehicle from the Italian/Kenyan San Marco launch platformn near Mombasa Kenya.

SAS-C was also known as Explorer 53. The satellite built by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab (APL), was proposed and operated by MIT's Center for Space Research (CSR). This satellite was an x-ray astronomy space telescope.

The above cover was autographed by various Goddard Space Flight Center project officials including SAS-C Project Manager, Marjorie Townsend, who recently passed away.

The Goddard Space Flight Center's Stamp Club serviced 796 covers and sold out.