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Author Topic:   Space Cover 602: Politicians in Space
Bob M
Member

Posts: 1786
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 03-21-2021 12:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob M   Click Here to Email Bob M     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Space Cover of the Week, Week 602 (March 21, 2021)

Space Cover #602: Politicians in Space

Politicians, for better or worse, have been in the news lately, but back in 1985 and 1986, and again in 1995, three politicians were in the news for good reasons. First, Republican Senator Jake Garn became the first politician while in office to fly in space on STS-51D and then in 1986, Democrat Representative Bill Nelson, also while in office, followed him in space on STS-61C.

By far the best known politician to fly in space was John Glenn, who, while still in office, flew on STS-95, 36 years after becoming the first American to orbit the earth on Mercury-Atlas 6.

Of course, other politicians have flown in space, but all flew after leaving office or not attaining office.

Jack Swigert was elected to Congress from Colorado in 1982 but passed away before taking office. Jack Lousma failed in his bid to become a US Senator from Michigan. Jack Schmitt served one term as a US Senator from New Mexico, and Mark Kelly is now serving as a Senator from Arizona. Another shuttle astronaut, Jose Hernandez, failed in his attempt for Congress in California.

These politician/astronauts are all from the US, but many former space travelers from other countries have become politicians, with Valentina Tereshkova one example from Russia. But probably Glenn, Garn and Nelson are the only politicians to fly in space while still in office.

Shown here are autographed covers marking their flights: Garn STS-51-D; Nelson STS-61C; and Glenn autographed a Prime Recovery Ship cover for MA-6.

Ken Havekotte
Member

Posts: 3196
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 03-23-2021 07:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ken Havekotte   Click Here to Email Ken Havekotte     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Enjoyed this week's space cover feature of Politicians in Space, Bob, and I especially liked the choice of cachet covers used for Glenn, Garn and Nelson (hint)!

There was another Apollo astronaut, Al Worden, that ran for the U.S. Congress (Florida) and lost in 1982.

It's also interesting to note that former shuttle astronaut Mark Kelly, after a tight race last year for the U.S. Senate in Arizona, defeated his Republican rival, a former Air Force fighter pilot which had became the first American woman to fly in combat and the first to command a fighter squadron.

A little known fact about Gordon Cooper is that he had at one time seriously considered, or was talked into it, in possibly becoming a U.S. Senate candidate, but I don't know what had become of that consideration or why it had been dropped.

Other "astronaut" politicians from other countries would include Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Italy (twice), Mongolia, Russia, and Spain after checking my sources.

Bob M
Member

Posts: 1786
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 03-25-2021 08:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob M   Click Here to Email Bob M     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks, Ken. Three of these excellent covers came from your Space Coast Cover Service, including the impressive "double-Glenn" cacheted cover for his STS-95 flight, with a well-done Katzowitz-designed cancel. Also of note, the cover has applied two very appropriate stamps for Glenn's return to space on STS-95.

The fourth cover, a scarce MA-6 USS Randolph PRS cover, was fortunately acquired in 1986 in a Space Unit auction.

All times are CT (US)

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