STS-51L Challenger Launch/Explosion Covers plus Related Covers /Joe Frasketi's Philatelic Space Covers

STS-51L Challenger
Launch/Explosion Covers
plus Related Covers

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STS-51L Challenger Space Shuttle Notes

These items below were issued for the launch of the STS-51L flight, which ended in disaster for this mission, the Astronauts lost their lives in the explosion at Kennedy Space Center Florida on January 28, 1986.
Other items listed include events that followed this disaster, such as the memorial service, special postmarks, and the Presidential Commission to investigate this tragedy, etc.
The Astronauts were................
Francis R. Scobee, Commander
Michael J. Smith, Pilot
Judith A. Resnik, Mission Specialist
Ellison S.Onizuka, Mission Specialist
Ronald E. McNair, Mission Specialist
Gregory B. Jarvis, Payload Specialist
Christa McAuliffe (Teacher in Space)
The explosion 73 seconds after liftoff claimed the lives of all the crew and destroyed the vehicle. Shuttle flights were halted for more than two-and-a-half years while an extensive investigation into the accident and an assessment of the Space Shuttle Program as conducted.

Looking for STS-107 Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster Covers?

You can find STS-107 Columbia disaster covers by clicking on this pricelist:
General Space Covers (part 6) They are at the top of the list.

General Notes

All items are covers unless otherwise noted.

All covers are the standard U.S. #6 size (approximately 6 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches), as collected in the USA, unless otherwise noted.

Foreign covers may be slightly smaller in size than the standard U.S. #6 size and if so, their size will NOT be noted. Any cover larger than a number 6 size will be noted or any item of an unordinary size will be so noted.

All covers are unaddressed unless otherwise noted.

All covers are cacheted unless otherwise noted. A brief description of the cachet is given of the event being commemorated.

If covers are autographed they are genuine, unless otherwise noted.

Where stamp(s) used on the item are of significance, such as being a space stamp or a flag stamp or related to the event or location, it will be described. Otherwise the stamp(s) used on the item may be a definitive issue or an unrelated commemorative issue, and will not be described.

Items listed here may not be listed in any particular order.

Please print out the ON-LINE ORDER FORM and use it to mark down the covers you need. When ordering, please mark the LIST ID as well as ITEM ID.

Abbreviations

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Price List

LIST ID

ITEM ID

PRICE

CANCEL DATE

CANCEL LOC

STS51LL1	0105Q	$50.00	01/28/1986	K
SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L LAUNCH/EXPLOSION, with a 01/28/1986 pictorial Shuttle machine cancel from Kennedy Space Center FL on a 22 cent Public Education commemorative stamp. With black photo printed cachet (unidentified) that shows Sharon Christa McAuliffe, the 1st teacher in space, with her name and title beneath it plus word inscription in a black box that reads: "In Memorium to Challenger 7, STS-33 Challenger (OV-099) Mission 25 (51-L), Selected from over 11,000 applicants....Motto: 'Reach for the stars'". (The inscription refers to 11,000 teacher applicants who applied to be the 1st teacher in space with NASA, note that the 22 cent stamp commemorated Public Education, a direct tie in with teacher in space). Cover comes with a descriptive insert card that tells about the proposed flight.

STS51LL1	0150	$30.00	01/28/1986
USNS RANGE SENTINEL TRACKING SHIP COVER: SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS- 51L LAUNCH/EXPLOSION, with a 01/28/1986 machine cancel from Cape Canaveral FL on a 22 cent Flag stamp With a black 3 line word rubber stamp cachet that reads: "Master, USNS Range Sentinel T-AGM 22, FPO Miami Fla. 34092-4049" and a black USNS Range Sentinel rubber stamp cachet showing their emblem, plus black Boudwin rubber stamp cachets (unidentified) that shows a small Challenger STS-51L emblem/patch, and a boxed text rubber stamp that reads: "All seven astronauts killed 75 seconds after lift off when 'Challenger' exploded over the atlantic." A red and blue airmail border envelope with label address.

STS51LL1	0160	$30.00	01/28/1986	K
UTC FREEDOM STAR RECOVERY FORCE SHIP COVER: SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L LAUNCH/EXPLOSION, with a 01/28/1986 pictorial Shuttle machine cancel from Kennedy Space Center FL on a 22 cent Flag stamp. With these cachets: a black 1 line word rubber stamp cachet that reads: "UTC Freedom Star"; a black rubber stamp cachet showing a recovery force ship; a 2 line rubber stamp cachet inscribed "Recovery Force", plus black Boudwin rubber stamp cachet (unidentified) that shows a small Challenger STS-51L emblem/patch, and a 7 line black mimeographed word text cachet that reads: "Sent to area of any recovery of STS-51L 'Challenger' afte flight with submersible vehicle 'Scorpia' aboard". This is a red and blue airmail border envelope, the backside of the cover has a one line mimeographed word text that reads "Souvenir Cover".

STS51LL1	0162	$30.00	01/28/1986	K
UTC LIBERTY STAR RECOVERY FORCE SHIP COVER: SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L LAUNCH/EXPLOSION, with a 01/28/1986 pictorial Shuttle machine cancel from Kennedy Space Center FL on a 22 cent Flag stamp. With these cachets: a black 1 line word rubber stamp cachet that reads: "UTC Liberty Star"; a black rubber stamp cachet showing a recovery force ship; a 2 line rubber stamp cachet inscribed "Recovery Force", plus black Boudwin rubber stamp cachet (unidentified) that shows a small Challenger STS-51L emblem/patch, and a 7 line black mimeographed word text cachet that reads: "Sent to area of any recovery of STS-51L 'Challenger' afte flight with submersible vehicle 'Sprint' aboard". This is a red and blue airmail border envelope, the backside of the cover has a one line mimeographed word text that reads "Souvenir Cover".

STS51LL1	0170	$15.00	01/28/1986
ANTIGUA TRACKING STATION COVER: SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L LAUNCH/EXPLOSION, with a 01/28/1986 hand cancel from U.S. NAVY APO..... on a 22 cent Flag stamp (Note the APO number is the cancel is unreadable as well as the 1986 in the date). With a black Antigua Tracking Station rubber stamp cachet showing the Eastern Space and Missile Center emblem (note not all of the letters in "Antigua" are readable), plus black Boudwin rubber stamp cachets (unidentified) that shows a small Challenger STS-51L emblem/patch, and 3 boxed text rubber stamps: The first reads: "All seven astronauts killed 75 seconds after lift off when 'Challenger' exploded over the atlantic."; the 2nd box reads: "They have gone from Earth into the hands of God", the 3rd box gives details of the mission and lists the astronauts and their titles who were on this flight. A red and blue airmail border envelope.

STS51LL1	0200	$5.00	01/31/1986	DC
PRESIDENT REAGAN DEPARTS FOR MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L ASTRONAUTS, with a 01/31/1986 hand cancel from Washington DC on an 22 cent Flag stamp. With a blue and black 15 cent FMF LOCAL POST stamp (label) affixed to the cover and locally cancelled, that shows the Seal of the President of the United States. With a four line word rubber stamp cachet: "President Reagan Departs for Houston Texas to Attend Memorial Service, 51L Space Shuttle Astronauts".

STS51LL1	0205	$5.00	01/31/1986	H
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L ASTRONAUTS, with a 01/31/1986 hand cancel from Houston TX on an 18 cent Space Shuttle stamp and a 4 cent definitive stamp showing books (Astronaut Christa McAuliffe was a school teacher). With a green and black 15 cent FMF LOCAL POST stamp (label) affixed to the cover and locally cancelled, that shows an astronaut working on a satellite still attached to the Space Shuttle by the extension arm. With a two line word rubber stamp cachet: "Memorial Service Today for 51L Space Shuttle Astronauts".

STS51LL1	0305A	$4.00	02/03/1986
SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L LAUNCH/EXPLOSION COMMEMORATIVE POSTMARK, with a 02/03/1986 machine space slogan cancel clearly readable with wording "Judy Resnik, Astronaut in Space, Spartan-Halley Flight" from Akron Ohio on a 22 cent flag stamp. (Akron is the hometown of Judy Resnik, one of the astronauts aboard the Challenger). With a black all purpose Space Shuttle rubber stamp cachet that shows a Shuttle launch. With additional rubber stamp text on the envelope: "Challenger Explosion, Jan 28, 1986" (Note: the 02/03/1986 date is when the Presidential Commision on the Challenger Accident was ordered by Ronald Reagan. the Spartan-Halley Satellite was aboard the Challenger STS-51L Shuttle Craft when it exploded 01/28/1986).

STS51LL1	0325	$20.00	02/03/1986	DC
PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER ACCIDENT ORDERED, with a 02/03/1986 hand cancel from Washington DC (the location of the White House and NASA Headquarters). With a two color SPACE VOYAGE printed cachet that shows the 7 Challenger Astronauts and identifies them by name; the STS-51L emblem patch, the NASA Headquarters in DC and President Ronald Reagan, etc. With additional printed text on the envelope: "Presidential Commission on Space Shuttle Challenger Accident - ordered Feb. 3, 1986" and lists the 14 members on the commission, which include Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon and Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in Space.

STS51LL1	0450	$12.50	04/15/1986	K
(SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER STS-51L) KEY BOOSTER DEBRIS ARRIVES AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, with a 04/15/1986 pictorial Shuttle machine cancel from Kennedy Space Center FL on a 22 cent postal stationery envelope. With black printed cachet (unidentified) that shows a detailed drawing of the shuttle booster with inscriptions, and 6 lines of printed text that reads: "Key Booster Debris Arrives at Kennedy Space Center. A section of Challenger's right solid rocket booster, where hot gases escaped during the fatal flight, is investigated by NASA officials today at Kennedy Space Center".

STS51LL1	0600	$15.00	06/09/1986	DC
PRESIDENT REAGAN RECEIVES CHALLENGER ACCIDENT COMMISION REPORT, with a 06/09/1986 hand cancel from Washington DC (the location of the White House and NASA Headquarters). With a two color SPACE VOYAGE printed cachet that shows the 7 Challenger Astronauts and identifies them by name; the STS-51L emblem patch, the NASA Headquarters in DC and President Ronald Reagan. With additional printed text on the envelope: "President Reagan Receives Challenger Accident Commission Report - June 9, 1986", and lists excerpts from the Commission report as to the cause and its recommendations such as emphasizing desirability of using Astronauts in management positions.

STS51LL1	1000	$2.50	04/11/1986
CHALLENGER (51-L) PICTORIAL CANCEL, a 04/11/1986 pictorial hand cancel from Colopex Station, Columbus Ohio that shows the Challenger space shuttle circling the postmark with inscription: "In Memorium, Challenger" on an 22 cent Flag stamp. Cover has a red and blue airmail border but no cachet. Label address. (Probably the first show cancel to honor the Challenger 51L after the explosion).

DB: stats: tusd(32,12,20,0)

See other Challenger Covers at
STS-51L Challenger Disaster Anniversary Space Shuttle Covers
STS-8 Challenger Cover FLOWN IN SPACE

You can find the STS-107 Columbia Disaster Covers at
General Space Covers (part 6)
They are at the top of the list.

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