posted 09-02-2023 02:33 PM               

A total of 32 MSEs were selected, but only two actually flew on space shuttle missions, with the program ending in 1988. Myself and others busied ourselves in pursuing autographs of the MSEs, but addresses were not easy to find. But many persisted, with one dedicated collector obtaining autographs of all but five or six of the 32. I ended with autographs of 23 of the 32.

It was an interesting and rewarding autograph experience, with several of the MSEs providing addresses of other MSEs and including notes of encouragement.

I've shown autographs of only six of the 32, including a cover for the canceled STS-62A launch of the shuttle from Vandenberg Air Force Base with MSE John Watterson's autograph.

The top cover was signed by the STS-62A/Vandenberg crew, but after cancellation most of the crew was reassigned to STS-27. The bottom cover is autographed by Lt. Col. Keith Wright, who was the back-up payload specialist on STS-51C.

The top cover is autographed by Maureen LaComb, one of three women MSEs and the bottom cover is autographed by Charles Jones, who was a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

These final two covers are autographed by the two MSEs who flew on space shuttle missions: Gary Payton on STS-51C and Bill Pailes on STS-51J.