STS-8 Challenger Space Shuttle Cover Flown in Space Round-the-World
Along with the Challenger crew commanded by Richard Turly, 165,000 covers were carried into space to
orbit the Earth and to travel round-the-world.
Each cover had a special 08/14/83 pictorial slogan machine cancel from Kennedy Space Center, FL on a
$9.35 Eagle & Moon Express Mail stamp (#1909).
This cancel read: "Space Mail/Orbited via STS-8, NASA, 25th Anniversary 1958-1983." with 2 additional
postmarks.
#1 reads: "Launched Aboard Challenger, Aug. 30, 1983."
#2 reads: "Returned to Earth, Edwards AFB, CA, Sep. 5, 1983."
Each cover had a multicolored NASA printed cachet of the STS-8 mission patch/emblem. On the back of
each cover was an additional "Returned to Earth" cancel and a 3 color printed cachet of the pictorial
slogan cancel for the 25th Anniversary of NASA. Each cover was individually numbered on the back by
NASA/USPS.
Included with each cover was an informative illustrated six page color folder on the flight of the
STS-8 Space Shuttle, issued by NASA/USPS.
Review the Space Shuttle chronology.
Visit NASA Kennedy Space Center, Space Shuttle-Facts & Statistics.
