Highly sought-after official color semi-glossy 9.5 x 7 NASA photo of the prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise lifting away from the the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft during the Approach and Landing Tests of 1977, affixed to the original 14 x 11 mount, which is signed around the borders in black ink and felt tip by 35 early astronauts, the majority being members of NASA Astronaut Group 8, including: Daniel Brandenstein, James Buchli, Michael Coats, Dick Covey, John Creighton, John Fabian, Anna Fisher, Dale Gardner, Bob Gibson, Fred Gregory, S. David Griggs, Terry Hart, Rick Hauck, Steven Hawley, Jeffrey Hoffman, Shannon Lucid, Jon McBride, Ron McNair, Mike Mullane, Steven Nagel, George D. Nelson, Ellison Onizuka, Don Peterson, Judy Resnik, Sally Ride, Dick Scobee, S. David Griggs, Loren Shriver, Robert Stewart, Kathy Sullivan, Norman Thagard, James D. Van Hoften, David Walker, Donald Williams, and one other. An unknown hand has added an inscription to the upper border: "To Stretch Flanagan—thanks for the great tour! The 35 Astronaut Candidates." In very good to fine condition, with staining to both the mount and the image. The Astronaut Class of 1978, otherwise known as the 'Thirty-Five New Guys,' was NASA’s first new group of astronauts since 1969. This class was notable for many reasons, including having the first women, African-American, and Asian-American astronauts. Four members of this group—Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ellison Onizuka, and Ron McNair—died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Originates from the personal collection of longtime NASA employee Robert B. 'Stretch' Flanagan, a Senior Security Specialist who accompanied the Apollo astronauts on their post-flight goodwill world tours. He was nicknamed ‘Stretch’ on account of his 6´6″ height.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
