STS-61-C crew
I had bought this crew litho already signed by payload specialist then-Rep. C. William Nelson. After languishing in my collection, I decided to send it around to get signed - first by Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, since I had another photo for him to sign, then George D."Pinky" Nelson, who was on bucket list of astronauts who I met but didn't sign my "Space Shuttle: 20 Years" book. I then sent it off to Robert J. Cenker, another payload specialist, who lives in my state.
STS-61-C was the last successful shuttle flight prior to the Challenger accident, which occurred 10 days after this crew landed.
In retrospect, I should have had both ret. Navy Capt. Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson sign it when I had the chance, as well as ret. Marine Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr.
But Bolden makes enough appearances, and while I didn't see Gibson again, I heard he was great about signing through the mail. So I held my breath and sent him this as well as another photo. Gibson returned both within three months.
As for the last crewmember, Steven A. Hawley, I attended a presentation by the STS-93 crew (less Jeff Ashby.) STS-93 was the last of Hawley's five missions, and he signed this for me. Boston, Ma., 18 Nov. 2014.
Buoyed by Hawley's signature, and not wanting to wait any longer, I sent this off to Bolden on 29 Jan. 2015, and received it back on 21 Mar. Crew complete!
STS-61-C crew
I had bought this crew litho already signed by payload specialist then-Rep. C. William Nelson. After languishing in my collection, I decided to send it around to get signed - first by Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, since I had another photo for him to sign, then George D."Pinky" Nelson, who was on bucket list of astronauts who I met but didn't sign my "Space Shuttle: 20 Years" book. I then sent it off to Robert J. Cenker, another payload specialist, who lives in my state.
STS-61-C was the last successful shuttle flight prior to the Challenger accident, which occurred 10 days after this crew landed.
In retrospect, I should have had both ret. Navy Capt. Robert L. "Hoot" Gibson sign it when I had the chance, as well as ret. Marine Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr.
But Bolden makes enough appearances, and while I didn't see Gibson again, I heard he was great about signing through the mail. So I held my breath and sent him this as well as another photo. Gibson returned both within three months.
As for the last crewmember, Steven A. Hawley, I attended a presentation by the STS-93 crew (less Jeff Ashby.) STS-93 was the last of Hawley's five missions, and he signed this for me. Boston, Ma., 18 Nov. 2014.
Buoyed by Hawley's signature, and not wanting to wait any longer, I sent this off to Bolden on 29 Jan. 2015, and received it back on 21 Mar. Crew complete!