Artifact: Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-1) Flown American Flag on Presentation Certificate
Artifact Category: Flag, certificate
Date of use: 12-14 April, 1981
Spacecraft/Launch Systems: Space Shuttle Columbia
Materials: Cloth, paper
Program: Space Transportation System

Dimensions: 21.2 x 27.9 cm. Flag: 10.5 x 14.5 cm.
Flown Status: Flown

Description: A 5.75" x 4.125" cloth U.S. flag that accompanied crewmembers Young and Crippen aboard the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle program, April 12-14, 1981. It is laid down to a 7" x 11" certificate with two color photos, the mission insignia, and facsimile signatures of Christopher C. Kraft, John Young and Bob Crippen, along with text as follows: "Presented to JERRY T. KILPATRICK. This flag was flown aboard Space Shuttle 'Columbia' (STS-1) April 12 - 14, 1981. It is presented to you in recognition of the significant contribution you made to the success of the mission."

Jerry T. Kilpatrick worked at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Besides the Personal Preference Kit (PPK) limited to 2.5 pounds of personal items the astronauts flew for family members and friends, STS-1 also carried an Official Flight Kit (OFK) containing presentation items that NASA, the crew and others would distribute post-flight. OFKs have flown on all subsequent shuttle missions and can be traced back to Apollo flights.

Notable among the STS-1 OFK contents were 10,000 small U.S. flags, which were later given to employees and VIPs. These flags represent the most accessible of STS-1's artifacts today.

Item: STS-1 crew autopensigned NASA litho.
Size: 20.4 x 25.5 cm

Description: the picture has autopen signatures from John Young and Bob Crippen. STS-1 was the first orbital spaceflight of NASA's Space Shuttle program. The mission was launched on April 12, 1981, and was crewed by two astronauts: Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen.

John Young was a veteran astronaut who had previously flown on Gemini 3, Gemini 10, Apollo 10, and Apollo 16 missions. Robert Crippen was a Navy pilot and aerospace engineer who had never flown in space before.

The primary objective of STS-1 was to test the Space Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, in orbit. The mission also aimed to demonstrate that the Space Shuttle was capable of safe, reliable, and routine access to space.

During the mission, Young and Crippen tested the Shuttle's systems and performed a number of maneuvers, including a roll reversal and a braking test. They also deployed and retrieved a satellite, and conducted experiments to test the performance of various materials in space.

STS-1 was a successful mission, paving the way for future Space Shuttle flights and establishing the Space Shuttle as a reliable and versatile spacecraft. The mission lasted for two days, six hours, 20 minutes, and 53 seconds, and the crew landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California on April 14, 1981.

Item: STS-1 launch witness certificate
Size: 20.4 x 25.1 cm.

Description: these certificates were given to people who attended the launch of the first Space Shuttle mission crewed by John Young and Bob Crippen. Postmarked on the date of launch, April 12, 1981.

The name of the person was blacked out here due to privacy reasons.

Item: Flown Insulation Blanket Segment from STS-1 in Lucite.

Size: 3 x 10 cm.

Weight: 242 gr.
Status: Flown.

Description: This STS-1 Insulation Blanket segment flew in space from April 12-14, 1981 on the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle Columbia, the first Space Shuttle mission. Blankets such as this were used to insulate the Space Shuttle against thermal heating. Signed by Robert Crippen, it comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Number 57 of 100.

Item: STS-1 Columbia - KSC-Edwards AFB cover
Size: 9.1 x 16.6 cm.
Date: 1981-04-12 / 1981-04-14

Item: STS-1 Columbia cover
Size: 9.1 x 16.6 cm.
Date: 1981-04-12