Postage Stamps In Outer Space

No, there is no known post office in outer space, but there have been some postage stamps that have made it there.The crew of the Apollo 15 space mission had a successful mission on all accounts; that is until they returned back to earth. Their reputations were tarnished when it was discovered that one of the astronauts had made a deal to take 398 First Day Covers hidden in his space suit on the flight.

Each astronaut was promised $7000 to sign the covers and to keep mum about the secret mission to the moon. Upon their return home, the First Day covers were distributed to H. Walter Eiermann who then gave them to a stamp dealer in Germany. The covers sold on average for $1500 each.

Realizing their error in their ways, the crew of Apollo 15 did decide to not accept any money for the Covers that they had brought into space. Once Scott heard that the stamp dealer was selling the covers, he asked that they be stopped immediately. NASA eventually got word of the sale of the Covers and confiscated the additional 298 covers from Scott. I wonder where those covers are today. Most likely they are locked in a vault someplace. It would be amazing to own the first postage stamps to travel to outer space.

Each crew member was reprimanded for their lack of good judgment in the “Stamp Affair”….as Congress called it. It makes you wonder what other items have secretly traveled throughout the stars.

Personally, I think that sending postage stamps into space sounds like a great way for NASA to help fund their space programs.

Halley's Comet - Gonga/Niuafou'ou

Halley’s Comet is the most well known comet of all periodic comets. It currently is seen about every 75 years from earth. This comet is the only short period comet that is visible to the naked eye. Halley’ Comet made its last visit to our solar system in 1986. Astronomers and lay people alike wait anxiously for its next pass over in the year 2061.

Here are some interesting facts about Halley’s Comet…

The earliest recorded history of the comet began in China in 240 BC. There is speculation by theologians that the comet explains the Star of Bethlehem as depicted in the Bible. In the year 837 the comet soared the closest to the earth’s surface than it ever has before. The comet made the trip to our solar system in 1835, the year of Mark Twain’s birth. He later went on to write about how he came in with the comet and would leave with the comet when it returns again. Halley’s Comet’s next return was in 1910. Mark Twain died the day after its arrival.

Stamps have a fantastic way of telling a story or showing a brief snapshot of history. Tonga/Niuafou'ou produced a fantastic collection of stamps in 1986 that celebrated the return of Halley’s Comet. To purchase these beautiful and rare special issue stamps at a reduced price, check out this website.

Long ago in a galaxy far away . . .

There's talk of opening a spaceport in my hometown. Of course, it won't be operational for years, possibly decades -- after all, they have to figure out how to build a passenger rocket ship first -- but that there is even talk of building a commercial spaceports is exciting. I am envious of the super rich who can afford to pay millions to travel in a Russian space craft for the chance to view the stars from the space station. I can hardly wait for Virgin Airlines to open its first space route and "fly me to the moon!"

Space truly is mankind's "final frontier" and the explorer in each of us longs to see what's out there. For those of us who grew up with Star Trek and Star Wars, space is a vast undiscovered country luring us with its siren song. Until technology catches up with desire, we'll have to be satisfied with viewing the wonders of space from afar.

This stunning six-value commemorative features some amazing telescopic views of the universe's wonders. Recently issued by Great Britain, the self-adhesive set is available from County Stamp Center for $10.10. This is only one of many amazing stamps you'll find at County Stamp Center that commemorates space. Click the link to view our complete space listings. No matter what your interest, you'll find it at County Stamp Center. Visit our website for all your philatelic needs.