Rare flown STS-9 Robbins medal struck from 10K gold, approximately 1.5″ x 1.75″, featuring a raised design of the mission insignia on the face. The reverse is engraved with the launch date of "Nov. 28, 1983," and landing date and place, "Dec. 8, 1983, RW 17 Edwards AFB, GA." The medal is serial numbered "4F" on the top edge, and the lower edge is marked with "10K" and the Robbins hallmark. Condition is mint state. Accompanied by its original plastic case with stiff blue felt liner. From the collection of a former Robbins Company executive.
This was one of just five gold examples of the STS-9 Robbins medal carried on the mission; a total of 81 medallions were carried on Space Shuttle Columbia, broken down as follows: one 14K gold, four 10K gold, and 76 silver. Launched from Cape Canaveral on November 28, 1983, the ten-day mission carried the first Spacelab module into orbit. The mission was highly successful, proving the feasibility of carrying out complex scientific experiments in space. Space Shuttle Columbia landed on Runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base on December 8, 1983, having completed 166 Earth orbits and traveled 4.3 million miles.
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