Incredible flown Space Shuttle Orbiter right-side inner main gear tire used during landing of the STS-69 mission's Endeavour spacecraft. Manufactured by BFGoodrich, the tire approximately measures 40.25″ in diameter and 15.25″in width, with matching raised part numbers to either sidewall, “44.5 X 16.0-21, 34 Ply Rating, Tubeless, 228 Knots, .10 Skid, Maximum Six Landings, 006-866-2, Cage Code No. 68030” and “A-56-E, 0-915T-1, E-19293-B, Made in U.S.A.” Each side feature two spray-painted white stencils, “Scrap,” and one side bears an Omegalabel Temperature Monitor label, with raised serial number, “2290N00572,” and “01” stamp below. Includes a BFGoodrich Information Kit, which features: a press release dated September 4, 1981; four official glossy NASA photos for STS-69; various NASA material related to the mission, the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour, and two sheets of “STS Orbiter Landing/Deceleration Flight Data,” which matches the serial number to the STS-69 main gear tire labeled as “RHIB.” In very good to fine condition, with expected wear from use. From the collection of aerospace memorabilia specialist Ken Havekotte. Flown status presumed by Havekotte.
With a crew of five led by CDR David Walker, the STS-69 launched from Kennedy Space Center on September 7, 1995. Over the course of ten days, the Endeavour traveled over 4,500,000 miles and orbited the Earth an amazing 171 times. When the Orbiter touched down on the Kennedy Shuttle Landing Facility Runway on September 18th, STS-69 earned the distinction of becoming the 102th successful manned space flight in NASA's illustrious history. Not much larger than a truck tire, yet strong enough to withstand three times the load of a Boeing 747, a main gear tire of a Space Shuttle is responsible for both absorbing, and then slowing, the craft’s touchdown speed of nearly 250 miles per hour. As all STS main landing gear tires are used only one time, this example represents a unique and significant flown piece of NASA equipment, one that likewise celebrates the role BFGoodrich played throughout the shuttle program—BFGoodrich manufactured the tires for the historic STS-1 mission.
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