ISS Dragon Crew 3 - FLOWN ISS cover - Matthias Maurer

SpaceX Crew-3 — ISS-Flown Cover Signed in Orbit by All Seven Expedition 66 Crew Members

An exceptional International Space Station-flown philatelic cover, postmarked aboard the ISS on December 22, 2021, and hand-signed in space by all seven astronauts and cosmonauts then serving aboard the orbital laboratory.

The cover documents NASA and SpaceX’s Crew-3 mission, together with the three resident Expedition 66 crew members already aboard the station. Its complete seven-person signature set makes it a particularly desirable artifact from this important period of continuous international human presence in low-Earth orbit.

Hand-signed by all seven astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the ISS

The four members of SpaceX Crew-3 were:

• Raja Chari — NASA astronaut, Crew-3 commander
• Thomas Marshburn — NASA astronaut, Crew Dragon pilot
• Kayla Barron — NASA astronaut, mission specialist
• Matthias Maurer — European Space Agency astronaut, mission specialist

They were joined aboard the station by the three resident Expedition 66 crew members:

• Anton Shkaplerov — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 66 commander
• Pyotr Dubrov — Roscosmos cosmonaut and flight engineer
• Mark Vande Hei — NASA astronaut and flight engineer

NASA confirms that these seven astronauts and cosmonauts formed the Expedition 66 crew aboard the ISS during late December 2021.

The historic Crew-3 mission

Crew-3 launched aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon Endurance in November 2021. The mission carried Chari, Marshburn, Barron and Maurer to the International Space Station, where they conducted scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, station maintenance and spacewalk preparations as part of Expedition 66.

The mission was notable for bringing together three NASA astronauts and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, whose flight marked his first journey into space. Raja Chari and Kayla Barron were also making their first orbital missions, while veteran astronaut Thomas Marshburn brought extensive previous experience aboard both the Space Shuttle and Soyuz spacecraft. NASA identifies Chari as commander, Marshburn as pilot, and Barron and Maurer as mission specialists.

The resident crew added further historical importance. Mark Vande Hei and Pyotr Dubrov were in the midst of exceptionally long-duration missions, while Anton Shkaplerov commanded Expedition 66 during this phase of operations.

Postmarked aboard the ISS

The onboard cancellation dated December 22, 2021, provides a precise connection to life aboard the station. On that date, the seven-member Expedition 66 crew was conducting an active program of scientific research and station operations while receiving supplies and experiments delivered by a SpaceX Cargo Dragon spacecraft.

This impressive cover therefore combines:

• Genuine flight aboard the International Space Station
• Official onboard postmark dated December 22, 2021
• Handwritten signatures of all seven astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the ISS
• Complete hand signed SpaceX Crew-3 signature set
• Hand signed signatures of the three resident Expedition 66 crew members
• Representation from NASA, Roscosmos and the European Space Agency
• Direct association with the Crew Dragon Endurance mission

A superb modern astrophilatelic artifact and an outstanding addition to any collection devoted to SpaceX, Crew Dragon, the International Space Station, NASA, Roscosmos or international crewed spaceflight.