{"title":"MIR - ISS Space Station - FLOWN covers + letters","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom the worldclass collection\/estate of famous astrophilatelist Jacques Bracke :\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wonderful selection of rare and unusual spacemail covering the entire MIR and ISS program.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"soyus-tm-15-seychelles-flown-cover","title":"Soyus TM-15 „Seychelles“ - \"South Africa FLOWN MIR cover","description":"\u003cp\u003eStunning FLOWN cover from Soyus TM-15 that was sent from Star City to the Space Station MIR, postmarked onboard (backside) and hand signed by the entire crew : Solovjov, Avdeyev, Kaleri and French cosmonaut Tognini!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt returned to earth via the Seychelles, United Arab Emirates and South Africa ! A spectacular voyage with several postmarkers, custom stamps and the front side entirely hand written and signed by cosmonaut Vladimir Kovalyonok. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWell worth further research!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44779028447496,"sku":"7299","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/products\/7299.jpg?v=1697399904"},{"product_id":"expedition-65-dragon-crew-flown-iss-cover","title":"Expedition 65 + Dragon crew 2 (Pesquets) + MS-18 film crew – FLOWN ISS cover","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex flex-col text-sm pb-25\"\u003e\n\u003carticle class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:6805919a-cd78-4811-b4de-b72f694e200a-1\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-4\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\" data-turn=\"assistant\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"9350eb3d-9166-407d-867a-85fd9382d7fe\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-3\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[1px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"97\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"97\"\u003eFlown ISS Cover – Dragon Crew-2 \u0026amp; Expedition 65 – Signed by the World’s First Space Film Crew\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"457\"\u003eAn extraordinary piece of modern space history: a \u003cstrong data-start=\"149\" data-end=\"249\"\u003eflown commemorative cover carried aboard the International Space Station and postmarked in space\u003c\/strong\u003e, signed by the astronauts and cosmonauts of \u003cstrong data-start=\"294\" data-end=\"335\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eSpaceX Crew-2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"381\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eExpedition 65\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, including members of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"408\" data-end=\"456\"\u003eworld’s first movie production crew in space\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"459\" data-end=\"954\"\u003eAmong the signatures is \u003cstrong data-start=\"483\" data-end=\"524\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eThomas Pesquet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, who flew aboard Crew-2, alongside fellow astronauts \u003cstrong data-start=\"578\" data-end=\"619\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eShane Kimbrough\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"621\" data-end=\"662\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eMegan McArthur\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"668\" data-end=\"709\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eAkihiko Hoshide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. The cover also carries the autographs of Expedition 65 crew members \u003cstrong data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"820\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eMark Vande Hei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"822\" data-end=\"863\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eOleg Novitsky\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"865\" data-end=\"906\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003ePyotr Dubrov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"912\" data-end=\"953\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eAnton Shkaplerov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"956\" data-end=\"1577\"\u003eWhat makes this cover particularly historic is its connection to the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1025\" data-end=\"1063\"\u003efirst cinematic film shot in space\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1065\" data-end=\"1108\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe Challenge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. Actress \u003cstrong data-start=\"1118\" data-end=\"1161\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eYulia Peresild\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e and director \u003cstrong data-start=\"1175\" data-end=\"1218\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eKlim Shipenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e traveled to the ISS aboard \u003cstrong data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1289\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eSoyuz MS-18\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, becoming the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1304\" data-end=\"1370\"\u003efirst professional film crew to shoot a feature movie in orbit\u003c\/strong\u003e. After completing filming aboard the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1408\" data-end=\"1451\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"whitespace-normal\"\u003eInternational Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e, they returned to Earth together with commander Oleg Novitsky when Soyuz MS-18 \u003cstrong data-start=\"1531\" data-end=\"1576\"\u003eundocked from the ISS on October 17, 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1615\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1615\"\u003eSignatures on the cover include:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1616\" data-end=\"1822\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1616\" data-end=\"1633\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1618\" data-end=\"1633\"\u003eOleg Novitsky\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1634\" data-end=\"1650\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1636\" data-end=\"1650\"\u003ePyotr Dubrov\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1651\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1653\" data-end=\"1669\"\u003eMark Vande Hei\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1689\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1689\"\u003eShane Kimbrough\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1708\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1692\" data-end=\"1708\"\u003eMegan McArthur\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1709\" data-end=\"1728\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1711\" data-end=\"1728\"\u003eAkihiko Hoshide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1729\" data-end=\"1747\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1731\" data-end=\"1747\"\u003eThomas Pesquet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1748\" data-end=\"1768\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1750\" data-end=\"1768\"\u003eAnton Shkaplerov\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1769\" data-end=\"1803\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1771\" data-end=\"1803\"\u003eKlim Shipenko \u003cem data-start=\"1785\" data-end=\"1801\"\u003e(signed twice)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1804\" data-end=\"1822\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1822\"\u003eYulia Peresild\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1824\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1824\" data-end=\"1838\"\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"2232\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1908\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1841\" data-end=\"1908\"\u003eFlown cover \u003cstrong data-start=\"1853\" data-end=\"1906\"\u003epostmarked aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1909\" data-end=\"1980\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1911\" data-end=\"1980\"\u003eSigned by astronauts and cosmonauts of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1950\" data-end=\"1978\"\u003eCrew-2 and Expedition 65\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2062\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2062\"\u003eIncludes signatures of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2010\" data-end=\"2060\"\u003efirst film crew ever to shoot a movie in space\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2065\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003eHistoric connection to \u003cstrong data-start=\"2088\" data-end=\"2103\"\u003eSoyuz MS-18\u003c\/strong\u003e and the filming of \u003cem data-start=\"2123\" data-end=\"2138\"\u003eThe Challenge\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2232\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2232\"\u003eA unique and highly desirable collectible for \u003cstrong data-start=\"2189\" data-end=\"2232\"\u003espace, cinema, and autograph collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2234\" data-end=\"2428\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eA remarkable artifact combining \u003cstrong data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2352\"\u003espace exploration, human spaceflight history, and the birth of filmmaking in orbit\u003c\/strong\u003e—an exceptional centerpiece for any serious space memorabilia collection. 🚀\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-center\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/article\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53424657137928,"sku":"10229","price":495.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/10229.jpg?v=1772565553"},{"product_id":"expedition-15-flown-private-cover-letter","title":"Expedition 15 ISS FLOWN Oleg Kotov private cover + letter","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the celebrated astrophilatelic collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare and deeply personal \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 15 International Space Station–flown cover and handwritten letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, sent directly from orbit by Russian cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Kotov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to noted astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e21 April 2007\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the cover was carried aboard the International Space Station during the opening weeks of Expedition 15 and is accompanied by an enclosed handwritten letter by Kotov, written while he was living and working in orbit. Both the cover and the letter bear authentic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein-space ISS postmarks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, creating an unusually intimate and well-documented example of personal correspondence from the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Kotov had arrived at the ISS only days earlier aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, launched on 7 April 2007 with Expedition 15 commander \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFyodor Yurchikhin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and visiting spaceflight participant \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCharles Simonyi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. After docking on 9 April, Kotov and Yurchikhin began their six-month Expedition 15 mission, taking over station operations during a key period of ISS expansion and Shuttle-supported assembly activity. NASA recorded that by late April the new Expedition 15 crew had completed its first week of orientation while beginning work on experiments, maintenance, and station systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike a conventional commemorative cover, this piece preserves a direct private exchange between an active cosmonaut aboard the ISS and a leading specialist collector on Earth. The enclosed handwritten letter gives the item an exceptional human dimension: it is not merely flown postal history, but original correspondence composed in orbit and personally addressed to Jacques Bracke.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its documented Expedition 15 setting, genuine ISS postal markings, handwritten onboard letter, direct Kotov-to-Bracke provenance, and distinguished origin from the Jacques Bracke collection, this is a highly unusual and historically evocative artifact of early ISS-era astrophilately.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA superb addition for collectors of ISS-flown mail, personal astronaut correspondence, Soyuz TMA-10, Russian human spaceflight, or one-of-a-kind space memorabilia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58134219260168,"sku":"13320","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/13320.jpg?v=1782999192"},{"product_id":"mir-flown-crossword-puzzle-handmade","title":"Soyuz TM-22 MIR FLOWN crossword puzzle sent to MIR – handmade !","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the celebrated astrophilatelic collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderfully intimate and highly unusual \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir space station–flown personal artifact\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, offering a rare glimpse into the everyday family life of cosmonauts during the mid-1990s—long before smartphones, email, video calls, or the constant digital contact of today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis charming handwritten \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecrossword puzzle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was prepared by a child connected with the Mir crew, believed to be from the family of cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei Avdeyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It was sent to the Mir space station and later carried aboard the orbiting complex, where it received an authentic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ein-space postmark dated 15 November 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with both official onboard Mir cachets.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFar more personal than a conventional flown cover, the sheet preserves the warmth of communication between home and orbit. Along the right-hand side are handwritten clues for each crossword row, while a delightful note across the top asks: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Which fur coat should I buy for my mother?”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The spontaneous comment captures the ordinary concerns of family life continuing thousands of kilometres below the spacecraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time, Mir crews often spent many months in orbit, relying on letters, personal notes, photographs, and small handmade items to maintain a connection with loved ones on Earth. This piece is a poignant reminder that behind the technical achievements of long-duration spaceflight were families, children, and everyday conversations shared across extraordinary distance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its genuine Mir flight, November 1995 in-space cancellation, dual onboard postmarks, handwritten content, likely direct family connection to Gidzenko or Avdeyev, and the distinguished provenance of Jacques Bracke, this is a truly unique and emotionally engaging artifact of human spaceflight history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA superb addition to any advanced collection of Mir memorabilia, cosmonaut family correspondence, space-flown postal history, or personal artifacts from the early era of long-duration international spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58134223814920,"sku":"13311","price":350.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/13311.jpg?v=1782999204"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-15-flown-aerogram-11314","title":"Soyuz TM-14\/15 FLOWN MIR space station Aerogram","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSOYUZ TM-15 \/ MIR “ANTARES” FLOWN AEROGRAMME\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew-Signed • Triple MIR Onboard Postmark • Yuri Semenov Certification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional flown postal artifact from the historic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-15 mission to the MIR space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, measuring approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8 × 10 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The aerogramme retains its partial original prefolding and is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehand-signed by the three-member Soyuz TM-15 launch crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatoly Solovyev — Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei Avdeyev — Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichel Tognini — French Research Cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand the resident crew Viktorenko + Kaleri.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aerogramme bears \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethree separate postal cancellations applied aboard the MIR space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing important evidence of its presence in orbit. It is additionally certified by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Pavlovich Semenov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who served at the time as Director General and General Designer of NPO Energia, the organization responsible for the Soyuz spacecraft and the operation of MIR. Semenov was one of the leading figures behind the Soyuz, Salyut and MIR programs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Background\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-15 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e27 July 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with the call sign \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRodnik\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, meaning “Spring.” After a two-day independent flight, the spacecraft docked with MIR on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e29 July 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Solovyev and Avdeyev became MIR’s 12th resident crew and remained aboard the station for more than six months, returning to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-15 on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 February 1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichel Tognini’s portion of the flight was known as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAntares\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the third French–Soviet\/Russian cooperative mission. During his approximately two-week stay, Tognini carried out an extensive scientific program involving biomedical, physical and technological experiments. He was the third French space traveler to visit an orbital space station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUpon arriving at MIR, the Soyuz TM-15 crew joined the existing resident cosmonauts:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Viktorenko — MIR-11 Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Kaleri — MIR-11 Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTognini returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-14 with Viktorenko and Kaleri on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10 August 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while Solovyev and Avdeyev remained aboard MIR.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Remarkable Moment in Human Spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the Antares phase, Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was also orbiting Earth on mission STS-46 from 31 July to 8 August 1992. Its crew comprised:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLoren J. Shriver, Andrew M. Allen, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Franklin R. Chang-Díaz, Claude Nicollier, Marsha S. Ivins and Franco Malerba.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTogether with the five people then aboard MIR—Solovyev, Avdeyev, Tognini, Viktorenko and Kaleri—this meant that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12 people were simultaneously in Earth orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e during part of the mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its documented orbital use, three onboard MIR postmarks, complete Soyuz TM-15 crew signatures and certification by one of the most important leaders of the Russian human-spaceflight program, this aerogramme represents a significant and highly desirable artifact from the early post-Soviet era of international space cooperation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Partially prefolded, as expected for an aerogramme. Please refer to the accompanying photographs for the exact condition, signatures, markings and postmarks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254417920264,"sku":"11314","price":175.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11314.jpg?v=1784304445"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-14-flown-aerogram-11313","title":"Soyuz TM-13\/14 MIR FLOWN Aerogramme - German flight","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSOYUZ TM-14 \/ MIR FLOWN AEROGRAMME\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew-Signed • Four MIR Onboard Postmarks • Approximately 8 × 10 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional flown postal artifact from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14 and the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, measuring approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e8 × 10 inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The aerogramme remains partially prefolded and is hand-signed by members of the mission crew. It bears four\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e postal cancellations applied aboard Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, documenting its presence on the legendary Russian orbital station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14 was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17 March 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and docked with Mir two days later, on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19 March\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The mission was historically significant as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst crewed spaceflight launched by the newly established Russian Federation following the dissolution of the Soviet Union\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It also carried the first German astronaut to visit Mir under the German–Russian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir ’92\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e research program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14 Launch Crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Viktorenko — Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Kaleri — Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlaus-Dietrich Flade — German Research Cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlade conducted an intensive program of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e14 biomedical and materials-science experiments\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e during his stay aboard Mir. After completing the approximately one-week Mir ’92 program, he returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-13 with the outgoing resident crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir Crew at the Time of Arrival\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen Soyuz TM-14 docked, the new arrivals joined the existing Mir resident crew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Volkov — Mir EO-10 Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei Krikalev — Mir EO-10 Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAerogramme is hand signed by all 5 astronauts and cosmonauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVolkov and Krikalev had launched while the Soviet Union still existed but returned after its dissolution, making their expedition one of the most symbolically important transitional missions in spaceflight history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 March 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Volkov, Krikalev and Flade returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-13. Viktorenko and Kaleri then remained aboard Mir as the station’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11th principal expedition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, continuing scientific research and station operations for almost five months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis aerogramme is an evocative artifact from a pivotal period in space history: the transition from the Soviet to the Russian space program, the beginning of closer German–Russian scientific cooperation and the increasingly international use of the Mir orbital complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts documented orbital carriage, four onboard Mir postal cancellations and crew signatures make it a highly desirable piece of flown space memorabilia with direct connections to one of the most historically important transitional missions of the Mir era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 8 × 10 inches and partially prefolded, consistent with its aerogramme format and orbital handling. Please examine the accompanying photographs carefully to confirm the precise signatures, postmarks, inscriptions and overall condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254417953032,"sku":"11313","price":175.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11313.jpg?v=1784304446"},{"product_id":"expedition-56-57-flown-iss-cover-11348","title":"Expedition 56\/57 -  FLOWN ISS cover - Alexander Gerst","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 56\/57 — ISS-Flown Energia Cover Signed by the Complete Six-Person Crew, Including Alexander Gerst\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational Space Station-flown cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, officially produced by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRSC Energia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and featuring the printed mission insignias of both \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 56 and Expedition 57\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover was postmarked aboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune 8, 2018\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an especially significant date: the day Soyuz MS-09 docked with the station and expanded the Expedition 56 crew from three to six members. The onboard cancellation therefore records the arrival of a new international crew and the beginning of ESA astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst’s Horizons mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover is hand-signed by the complete six-person crew aboard the International Space Station following the Soyuz MS-09 arrival:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAndrew “Drew” Feustel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and Expedition 56 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Artemyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRichard “Ricky” Arnold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergey Prokopyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz MS-09 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSerena Auñón-Chancellor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — European Space Agency astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst and the Horizons mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe principal historical appeal of this cover is its close association with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of Europe’s best-known astronauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerst launched aboard Soyuz MS-09 on June 6, 2018, together with Sergey Prokopyev and Serena Auñón-Chancellor. After a two-day journey, their spacecraft docked with the ISS on June 8—the same date recorded by the cover’s onboard postmark. The opening of the hatches marked Gerst’s return to the station for his second long-duration mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNamed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHorizons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Gerst’s mission encompassed Expeditions 56 and 57 and lasted 197 days. During his time aboard the station, he supported an extensive program of scientific research in medicine, biology, physics, Earth observation and technology development.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLater in the mission, Gerst assumed command of Expedition 57, becoming the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst German commander of the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and only the second European to hold that position. His command began in October 2018 and continued until his return to Earth in December.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA precisely dated artifact of crew arrival\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe June 8, 2018 cancellation gives this cover unusually strong historical context. It was applied on the exact day the station welcomed Gerst, Prokopyev and Auñón-Chancellor, restoring the ISS to its full six-person Expedition 56 complement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe printed insignias of both Expeditions 56 and 57 are particularly appropriate. Gerst, Prokopyev and Auñón-Chancellor served across both expeditions, while Gerst progressed from flight engineer during Expedition 56 to station commander during Expedition 57.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis important astrophilatelic artifact combines:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenuine flight aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOfficial RSC Energia production\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted Expedition 56 and Expedition 57 mission insignias\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnboard ISS postmark dated June 8, 2018\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancellation on the date of the Soyuz MS-09 docking and crew arrival\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwritten signatures of the complete six-person ISS crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect association with Alexander Gerst’s Horizons mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnection with Gerst’s historic command of Expedition 57\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable addition to any advanced collection devoted to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst, European spaceflight, Soyuz missions, the International Space Station or flown astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418018568,"sku":"11348","price":275.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11348.jpg?v=1784304446"},{"product_id":"soyuz-ms-05-flown-iss-cover-11351","title":"Soyuz MS-05 - FLOWN ISS cover feat. Randy Bresnik Artemis III Cdr.","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz MS-05 — ISS-Flown Roscosmos Cover Triple-Postmarked in Space and Signed by Nine Expedition 52\/53 Crew Members\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational Space Station-flown cover officially issued by Roscosmos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, bearing three onboard postal cancellations and the handwritten signatures of nine astronauts and cosmonauts associated with the Expedition 52 and Expedition 53 mission period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover carries dated onboard postmarks from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuly 29, 2017\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, marking the arrival of the Soyuz MS-05 crew at the International Space Station, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecember 14, 2017\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the date on which the spacecraft returned its three crew members safely to Earth after approximately four and a half months in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz MS-05 carried NASA astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRandy Bresnik\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Roscosmos cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergey Ryazanskiy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and European Space Agency astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaolo Nespoli\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. They joined the resident Expedition 52 crew aboard the station and later formed the core of Expedition 53, during which Bresnik assumed command of the ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-signed by nine astronauts and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover brings together the signatures of nine spacefarers who served aboard the ISS during the Soyuz MS-05 mission period:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 52 resident crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFyodor Yurchikhin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 52 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeggy Whitson\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJack Fischer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz MS-05 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRandy Bresnik\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut, Expedition 52 flight engineer and Expedition 53 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergey Ryazanskiy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaolo Nespoli\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — ESA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz MS-06 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Misurkin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark Vande Hei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoseph “Joe” Acaba\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYurchikhin, Whitson and Fischer were aboard the station when the Soyuz MS-05 crew arrived. After their departure in September, Misurkin, Vande Hei and Acaba joined Bresnik, Ryazanskiy and Nespoli to form the complete six-person Expedition 53 crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRandy Bresnik: from ISS commander to Artemis III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe most significant contemporary signature on the cover is that of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRandy “Komrade” Bresnik\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA veteran Marine aviator and NASA astronaut, Bresnik first flew in space aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on STS-129 in 2009. He returned to orbit aboard Soyuz MS-05, serving initially as an Expedition 52 flight engineer before taking command of Expedition 53.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the expedition, Bresnik participated in three spacewalks and helped lead work on the station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm, including the replacement and servicing of one of its latching end effectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn June 2026, NASA named Bresnik \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecommander of Artemis III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, alongside pilot Luca Parmitano and mission specialists Andre Douglas and Frank Rubio. The currently planned mission will test critical Orion rendezvous and docking operations in low-Earth orbit as part of NASA’s preparations for future crewed lunar landings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis signature therefore connects two major eras of human spaceflight: long-duration international operations aboard the ISS and the next phase of NASA’s Artemis lunar exploration program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA cover documenting an entire ISS crew rotation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of the July and December postmarks gives this cover unusual historical depth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuly 29, 2017 cancellation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e represents the arrival of Bresnik, Ryazanskiy and Nespoli and the formation of the expanded Expedition 52 crew. The \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecember 14, 2017 cancellation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e marks the departure and return of the same Soyuz MS-05 trio, closing their 139-day mission aboard the orbital complex.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than documenting only a single moment, the cover records the beginning and conclusion of the Soyuz MS-05 expedition and brings together signatures from the changing international crews who occupied the station during that period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighlights include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOfficially issued Roscosmos cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThree postal cancellations applied in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated onboard postmarks from July 29 and December 14, 2017\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by nine Expedition 52 and Expedition 53 astronauts and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComplete Soyuz MS-05 crew signature set\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignatures representing NASA, Roscosmos and ESA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by Randy Bresnik\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect connection to the commander of NASA’s Artemis III mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable modern astrophilatelic artifact combining \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz flight history, onboard ISS postal markings, an extensive international signature set and an important connection between the Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Artemis eras\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418051336,"sku":"11351","price":350.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11351.jpg?v=1784304447"},{"product_id":"10-years-mir-flown-mir-cover-crewsigned-11397","title":"10 years MIR -  FLOWN MIR cover Soyuz TM-22","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10th Anniversary of Mir — Flown Cover Signed by the Soyuz TM-22 Crew, Including Thomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptionally rare \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir-flown commemorative cover marking the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, hand-signed by the complete Soyuz TM-22 crew and certified on the reverse by veteran cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover bears the special black onboard date cancellation \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20 February 1996\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—exactly ten years after the Mir core module was launched into orbit on February 20, 1986. That launch began the construction of the world’s first continuously inhabited modular space station, a pioneering orbital complex that became one of the defining achievements of Soviet and Russian human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to the accompanying provenance, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eonly eight examples were prepared with this distinctive black anniversary date\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making this a particularly scarce and desirable issue.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by the complete Soyuz TM-22 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover is hand-signed by all three members of the Soyuz TM-22 mission:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Soyuz TM-22 commander and Mir Expedition 20 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei Avdeyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — German ESA astronaut and Euromir 95 research cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso signed by Yuri Usachev and Yuri Onufrienko.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-22 launched on September 3, 1995, carrying Gidzenko, Avdeyev and Reiter to Mir. The crew remained aboard the station for almost six months, spanning the final months of 1995 and the historic tenth anniversary in February 1996.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Reiter and Euromir 95\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe principal European significance of the cover lies in its association with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who flew to Mir as part of the European Space Agency’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEuromir 95\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring his long-duration stay, Reiter carried out an extensive program of European scientific experiments in human physiology, biology, materials science and technology. He also became the first German astronaut to perform a spacewalk, conducting extravehicular activities outside Mir together with Yuri Gidzenko.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReiter’s mission represented a major step in Europe’s preparation for permanent participation in the International Space Station. He later returned to orbit in 2006 and became the first ESA astronaut to serve as a long-duration ISS crew member, giving his signature an important connection between the Mir and ISS eras.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA precisely dated Mir anniversary artifact\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe onboard cancellation is especially significant because it was applied on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFebruary 20, 1996\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, exactly a decade after Mir’s core module entered orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginally designed for a much shorter operational life, Mir ultimately remained in space for approximately fifteen years. It became the first space station assembled from multiple major modules in orbit and hosted more than one hundred visitors from numerous countries, laying much of the operational groundwork for the later International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover was present aboard Mir during this anniversary and was signed by the resident Soyuz TM-22 crew who actually experienced the milestone in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified by Yuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse carries an additional certification by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of Russia’s most experienced Mir-era cosmonauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsachev launched aboard Soyuz TM-23 on February 21, 1996—the day after Mir’s tenth anniversary—and served as flight engineer of the following resident expedition. He later completed additional long-duration missions aboard Mir and the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis certification provides a valuable direct connection to the station’s onboard history and the crew transition taking place at the time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreated for the tenth anniversary of Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecial black onboard cancellation dated February 20, 1996\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled exactly ten years after the launch of Mir’s core module\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-signed by the complete Soyuz TM-22 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the historic Euromir 95 expedition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified on the reverse by cosmonaut Yuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to its provenance, one of only eight covers produced with the black anniversary date\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn important artifact linking Soviet, Russian, German and European spaceflight history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA museum-quality piece of flown astrophilately combining an exact-date anniversary cancellation, complete resident-crew signatures, direct cosmonaut certification and exceptional reported rarity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is a remarkable tangible witness to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eten years of Mir operations and to Thomas Reiter’s pioneering contribution to European long-duration spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418280712,"sku":"11397","price":295.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11397.jpg?v=1784304453"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-21-first-docking-flown-mir-cover-11398","title":"Soyuz TM-21 - First Shuttle -MIR docking FLOWN cover - Norman Thagard","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-21 \/ Mir-18 — Mir-Flown Cover Signed by Thagard, Dezhurov and Strekalov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA historic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003espace-flown cover carried aboard the Mir space station during the pioneering Soyuz TM-21 and Mir-18 expedition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, hand-signed by the complete three-person crew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNorman E. Thagard\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and research cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVladimir N. Dezhurov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Soyuz TM-21 and Mir-18 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGennady M. Strekalov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover features an attractive printed Soyuz TM-21 mission emblem and was cancelled aboard Mir on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 11, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while Thagard, Dezhurov and Strekalov were living and working aboard the Russian orbital station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNorman Thagard’s historic Soyuz flight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-21 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarch 14, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, carrying the three members of the Mir-18 expedition. With that launch, Norman Thagard became the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst American astronaut to launch into space aboard a Russian spacecraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThagard’s presence aboard Mir represented a major turning point in relations between the American and Russian space programs. Only a few years after the end of the Cold War, an American astronaut was living aboard a Russian space station, launching with Russian cosmonauts and participating in a joint scientific program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Mir-18 crew conducted medical and life-sciences research focused particularly on the effects of long-duration weightlessness. They also helped prepare Mir for the arrival of the Spektr research module and for the forthcoming first docking by an American Space Shuttle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crew that welcomed the first Space Shuttle to Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Soyuz TM-21 crew played a central role in one of the defining achievements of the Shuttle–Mir program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune 29, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e docked with Mir during mission STS-71—the first docking between a Space Shuttle and the Russian station. The joined spacecraft formed what was then the largest orbital complex ever assembled and briefly brought ten astronauts and cosmonauts together in a single connected spacecraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThagard, Dezhurov and Strekalov subsequently returned to Earth aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJuly 7, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while replacement cosmonauts Anatoly Solovyev and Nikolai Budarin remained aboard Mir. This was also the first exchange of a Mir resident crew using the Space Shuttle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThagard completed approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e115 days in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, establishing a new American space-endurance record at the time. His mission demonstrated that American astronauts could train, launch and operate successfully within the Russian spaceflight system—experience that later proved invaluable in the development and operation of the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA landmark artifact of American–Russian cooperation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis exceptional cover combines several important elements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked in orbit on May 11, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-signed by the complete Soyuz TM-21 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes Norman Thagard, the first American launched aboard a Russian spacecraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by Mir-18 commander Vladimir Dezhurov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by veteran cosmonaut Gennady Strekalov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAttractive printed Soyuz TM-21 mission emblem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirectly associated with the preparations for the first Shuttle–Mir docking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the historic STS-71 crew exchange\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable artifact from the opening chapter of the Shuttle–Mir partnership, documenting the mission that placed an American aboard Mir and helped pave the way for the first Shuttle docking and the later International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418313480,"sku":"11398","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11398.jpg?v=1784304452"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-21-first-docking-flown-mir-cover-11400","title":"STS-71 - Soyuz TM-21 first docking - Space Shuttle FLOWN cover","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTS-71 — First Shuttle–Mir Docking Flown Cover, Signed by Solovyev and Budarin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very rare \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eofficial cover carried aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to the Mir space station during STS-71\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the defining missions of post-Cold War space exploration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover was flown from Earth aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and postmarked aboard Mir on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune 29, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—the exact date of the first docking between an American Space Shuttle and the Russian orbital station. It is hand-signed by cosmonauts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatoly Solovyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNikolai Budarin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the two Russian members of the STS-71 launch crew who transferred to Mir to begin the long-duration Mir-19 expedition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA handwritten notation at the lower edge certifies the cover as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShuttle-flown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing an important direct record of its journey aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first docking of an American Shuttle with Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e launched on June 27, 1995, and docked with Mir on June 29. Commander Robert “Hoot” Gibson manually guided the Shuttle toward the station from below, completing the historic linkup at approximately 9:00 a.m. EDT.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe mission marked several major firsts:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first docking between a U.S. Space Shuttle and Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first joint operations between the Shuttle and a Russian space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first exchange of a resident Mir crew using the Space Shuttle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first time a long-duration Mir crew was launched aboard an American spacecraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 100th U.S. human space launch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen docked, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and Mir formed what was then the largest spacecraft complex ever assembled in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by the incoming Mir-19 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover is hand-signed by:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatoly Y. Solovyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Commander of Mir Expedition 19\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNikolai M. Budarin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mir-19 flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSolovyev and Budarin launched aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as members of the STS-71 crew. Following the docking, they transferred into Mir and replaced the outgoing Mir-18 crew of Norman Thagard, Vladimir Dezhurov and Gennady Strekalov.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir journey was historically unprecedented: they became the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst resident Mir crew transported to the station aboard a Space Shuttle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSolovyev and Budarin remained aboard Mir after \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e departed, while the Mir-18 crew returned to Earth aboard the Shuttle. This exchange demonstrated a level of operational cooperation between the American and Russian space programs that would have been almost unimaginable only a few years earlier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked on the exact docking date\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe onboard Mir cancellation dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune 29, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e gives the cover exceptional documentary importance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was not postmarked on an approximate anniversary or during a later commemorative event. The cancellation was applied aboard the station on the precise day \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e arrived and the first physical link between the American Shuttle program and Mir was established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe date therefore connects the cover directly with the central event of STS-71 and one of the most recognizable milestones of the entire Shuttle–Mir program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA direct link to the origins of the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTS-71 was more than a symbolic docking. It tested the procedures, hardware, crew exchanges and international working relationships required for future joint operations in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe experience gained through STS-71 and the later Shuttle–Mir missions helped prepare NASA and its Russian partners for the assembly and operation of the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis cover therefore represents an important bridge between:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe American Space Shuttle program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Russian Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePost-Cold War international cooperation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe later International Space Station partnership\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOfficial spaceflight cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFlown to Mir aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected directly with STS-71\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard Mir on June 29, 1995\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled on the exact date of the first Shuttle–Mir docking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-signed by Anatoly Solovyev and Nikolai Budarin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by the complete incoming Mir-19 resident crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with the first Mir crew launched aboard a Space Shuttle\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwritten certification identifying the cover as Shuttle-flown\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect connection with the first Shuttle-based exchange of a Mir crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant precursor to the International Space Station era\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA museum-quality artifact from one of the most consequential missions of the 1990s, combining \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egenuine Shuttle and Mir flight history, an exact-date onboard cancellation, direct flight certification and the signatures of the two cosmonauts delivered by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to begin Mir Expedition 19\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn outstanding centerpiece for any advanced collection of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTS-71, Shuttle–Mir, Russian spaceflight or flown astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418346248,"sku":"11400","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11400.jpg?v=1784304453"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tma-07m-vatican-flown-iss-cover","title":"Soyuz TMA-07M Vatican FLOWN ISS cover + letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoyuz TMA-07M Vatican FLOWN ISS cover + letter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription to follow later \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418411784,"sku":"11421","price":295.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11421.jpg?v=1784304455"},{"product_id":"expedition-14-flown-spain-iss-cover-11331","title":"Expedition 14 FLOWN Spain ISS cover + letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eExpedition 14 FLOWN Spain ISS cover + letter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription to follow later today\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418444552,"sku":"11331","price":350.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11331.jpg?v=1784304456"},{"product_id":"boing-starliner-2019-flown-iss-cover-ovchinin-11342","title":"Boing Starliner 2019 FLOWN ISS cover + letter Ovchinin","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2019 ISS-Flown Cover and Two-Page Handwritten Letter by Commander Alexey Ovchinin — Boeing CST-100 Starliner Cachet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003espace-flown postal history, handwritten cosmonaut correspondence and Boeing Commercial Crew memorabilia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe lot comprises an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISS-flown commemorative cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, postmarked aboard the International Space Station on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e26 June 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with a remarkable \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo-page handwritten letter by Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, separately postmarked onboard the station on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 June 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese dates give the material particular historical significance. Expedition 59 had concluded only one day earlier, when the departing Soyuz MS-11 crew undocked and command of the International Space Station passed to Ovchinin. He then began Expedition 60 as station commander, serving alongside NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch. The letter was therefore written and postmarked during Ovchinin’s first days in command of the orbiting laboratory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoeing CST-100 Starliner Connection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover bears a special cachet commemorating Boeing’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCST-100 Starliner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the reusable crew spacecraft developed with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program to transport astronauts and cargo to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Boeing designed Starliner to carry as many as seven people, although NASA missions were planned around crews of up to four astronauts together with research and other cargo.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen this cover was postmarked in June 2019, Starliner had not yet made its first orbital flight. Boeing was preparing for the spacecraft’s inaugural uncrewed Orbital Flight Test, which launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20 December 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Although a mission-timing anomaly prevented that flight from reaching the ISS, the capsule completed an abbreviated test mission and landed successfully at White Sands, New Mexico, on 22 December.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cachet therefore captures an important transitional moment in American human spaceflight: the period when Boeing’s Starliner was still approaching its long-awaited orbital debut and was expected to become one of the principal spacecraft carrying astronauts from the United States to the ISS. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector Highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eISS onboard postmark dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e26 June 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etwo-page handwritten letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eWritten by Roscosmos cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexey Ovchinin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLetter postmarked onboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 June 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eProduced during Ovchinin’s first days as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 60 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSpecial cachet commemorating the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoeing CST-100 Starliner\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePredates Starliner’s first orbital test flight by approximately six months\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCombines astrophilately, handwritten space correspondence and Commercial Crew history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable and visually compelling artefact linking the established history of the International Space Station with the emerging generation of American commercial crew spacecraft. The presence of Ovchinin’s substantial handwritten letter elevates the item far beyond a conventional flown cover, providing a direct and personal connection to life aboard the ISS at a historically important moment in the station’s command and in the development of Boeing Starliner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418510088,"sku":"11342","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11342.jpg?v=1784304457"},{"product_id":"expedition-59-flown-iss-cover-koch-11344","title":"Expedition 59 FLOWN ISS cover – Christina Koch - AIEP COA","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 59 — ISS-Flown Cover Postmarked in Orbit and Signed by Christina Koch - Igor Rodin AIDEP COA !\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecover flown aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 59\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, postmarked in orbit on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 29, 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and featuring the signature of record-setting NASA astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristina Koch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe onboard cancellation dates the cover to the opening months of Koch’s first spaceflight—a mission that would ultimately become one of the most important long-duration expeditions ever completed by a female astronaut.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristina Koch’s record-setting ISS mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristina Koch launched aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz MS-12 on March 14, 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin. She joined Expedition 59 as a flight engineer and subsequently remained aboard the station through Expeditions 60 and 61. NASA lists the Expedition 59 crew as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Kononenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Expedition commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnne McClain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid Saint-Jacques\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Canadian Space Agency flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexey Ovchinin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNick Hague\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristina Koch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cbr class=\"ProseMirror-trailingBreak\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoch’s originally scheduled stay was extended, and she ultimately spent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e328 consecutive days in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, setting the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. During that mission, she orbited Earth 5,248 times and travelled approximately 139 million miles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA date connected with Expedition 59 operations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover was postmarked aboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 29, 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while the full six-member Expedition 59 crew was living and working aboard the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat date also coincided with a Russian spacewalk by commander \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Kononenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and flight engineer \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexey Ovchinin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The two cosmonauts spent 6 hours and 1 minute outside the station conducting maintenance and scientific work.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe precisely dated onboard cancellation therefore places this cover within an active day of Expedition 59 operations and provides a direct postal record of its presence aboard the orbiting laboratory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristina Koch and spacewalking history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnly two months before this cover was cancelled, Koch completed her first spacewalk with Nick Hague on March 29, 2019. Later that year, she and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir conducted the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst all-woman spacewalk in history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on October 18.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoch and Meir subsequently completed two additional spacewalks together, making Koch a central figure in one of the defining milestones for women in human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer record-setting mission also generated valuable scientific data concerning the physical and psychological effects of extended life in microgravity, contributing to preparations for future long-duration expeditions beyond low-Earth orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Expedition 59 to lunar exploration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKoch’s career later extended beyond the International Space Station when she served as a mission specialist for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtemis II\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, NASA’s first crewed Artemis flight. Her selection connected the experience gained during her 328-day ISS expedition with the next generation of human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis cover was postmarked early in the mission that established Koch as one of the leading explorers of her generation—before her endurance record, historic all-woman spacewalks and later participation in lunar exploration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with Expedition 59\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked onboard the ISS on May 29, 2019\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by NASA astronaut Christina Koch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled during Koch’s record-setting 328-day mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the longest single spaceflight by a woman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with a participant in the first all-woman spacewalk\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated on the day of an Expedition 59 Russian spacewalk\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn important artifact of modern women’s spaceflight history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirectly connects the ISS and Artemis eras\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable modern astrophilatelic artifact combining \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egenuine ISS flight, an onboard cancellation and the signature of Christina Koch—record-setting astronaut, pioneering spacewalker and Artemis lunar explorer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418641160,"sku":"11344","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11344.jpg?v=1784304457"},{"product_id":"dragon-crs-6-flown-iss-cover-11356","title":"Soyuz TMA- 15M - Dragon CRS-6 : Dragon FLOWN ISS cover + letter","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace-Flown Dragon CRS-6 ISS Cover and Handwritten Letter by Cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional piece of modern space and postal history: a genuinely \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003espace-flown cover accompanied by a handwritten letter composed aboard the International Space Station by Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten in English to fellow space collector \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the letter was postmarked aboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e21 May 2015\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—the same day the SpaceX Dragon CRS-6 spacecraft departed the station and returned to Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpaceX CRS-6 was launched from Cape Canaveral on 14 April 2015 and delivered supplies, scientific equipment and experiments to the International Space Station. Dragon remained attached to the orbiting laboratory from 17 April until 21 May 2015, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean with return cargo from the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover and letter travelled back to Earth aboard Dragon, were transported to Houston following recovery, and were subsequently forwarded by registered mail to Belgium—creating a remarkable and fully traceable journey from Europe to orbit and back.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time, Anton Shkaplerov was serving aboard the ISS as a member of Expeditions 42 and 43, having launched aboard Soyuz TMA-15M in November 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Particularly Fascinating Detail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse of the handwritten letter is not ordinary stationery but part of an operational checklist that was used in space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaper aboard the ISS is a controlled and limited resource, and cosmonauts have occasionally reused surplus checklist pages and other mission paperwork for personal correspondence. This gives the letter an additional layer of authenticity: it is not merely a message written in orbit, but a physical fragment of the station’s working environment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHighlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwritten aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten and signed by cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed in English to collector Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard the ISS on 21 May 2015\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReturned to Earth aboard SpaceX Dragon CRS-6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransported through Houston and sent by registered mail to Belgium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten on the reverse of an authentic space-used checklist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOutstanding association with ISS operations, commercial spaceflight and astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable museum-quality artefact combining \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehuman spaceflight, handwritten astronaut correspondence, onboard postal history and a documented Dragon spacecraft return\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Far more personal than a conventional flown cover, this unique item offers a direct and tangible connection to daily life aboard the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418673928,"sku":"11356","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11356.jpg?v=1784304458"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-34-iss-crew-3-flown-cover-11384","title":"Soyuz TM-34 ISS Crew 3 - FLOWN cover - Mark Shuttleworth","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-34 “Marco Polo” — Rare ISS-Flown Cover with Handwritten note\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptionally rare \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecover flown aboard the International Space Station during the Soyuz TM-34 “Marco Polo” mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, bearing onboard postal cancellations associated with the spacecraft’s arrival at the station and the visiting crew’s return to Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover is especially desirable because it contains an additional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehandwritten confirmation of its spaceflight inside\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, providing a direct and highly personal record that the item was carried in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-34 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApril 25, 2002\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, carrying:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Russian cosmonaut and Soyuz commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoberto Vittori\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Italian ESA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark Shuttleworth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — South African spaceflight participant\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe spacecraft docked with the International Space Station on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApril 27, 2002\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the date represented by one of the cover’s onboard cancellations. The crew spent approximately eight days aboard the ISS before returning to Earth on May 5 aboard the older Soyuz TM-33 spacecraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark Shuttleworth: the first South African in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe central historical importance of this cover is its association with entrepreneur \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark Shuttleworth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShuttleworth became the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esecond privately funded spaceflight participant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, following Dennis Tito, and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst South African to travel into space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. NASA also identifies him as the first citizen of an independent African nation to reach orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough popularly described as a “space tourist,” Shuttleworth’s mission involved more than simply visiting the station. During his time aboard the ISS, he participated in scientific and educational activities, including biological and medical research supported by South African institutions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis flight attracted enormous attention throughout Africa and represented an important milestone in expanding the cultural and geographical reach of human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoberto Vittori and the Marco Polo mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-34 was also known within the European space program as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarco Polo mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eItalian astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRoberto Vittori\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e flew as the spacecraft’s flight engineer, becoming the first Italian astronaut to launch aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur. His mission was conducted through cooperation among ESA, the Italian Space Agency and the Russian space program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVittori conducted European scientific experiments during his stay and later returned to the ISS on two further missions, becoming one of Italy’s most experienced astronauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe final mission of the Soyuz-TM generation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-34 also occupies an important place in spacecraft history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efinal flight of the Soyuz-TM model\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, closing a program that had supported both the Mir station and the early International Space Station. The spacecraft remained docked to the ISS after the visiting crew departed and served as the station’s emergency return vehicle until November 2002.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was later used to return the Soyuz TMA-1 visiting crew of Sergei Zalyotin, Frank De Winne and Yuri Lonchakov to Earth, bringing the long operational history of the Soyuz-TM variant to an end.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare example of early ISS astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown covers connected with Soyuz TM-34 and the Marco Polo expedition are seldom encountered. This example is particularly appealing because it combines official onboard postal markings with an additional handwritten flight notation inside the cover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights include:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with the Soyuz TM-34 Marco Polo mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnboard ISS postmark dated April 27, 2002\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional mission-end cancellation, dated March 5, 2002\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwritten note inside the cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with Mark Shuttleworth, the second privately funded space traveler\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with the first South African in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with Italian ESA astronaut Roberto Vittori\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown during the final mission of the Soyuz-TM spacecraft series\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA scarce artifact from the early years of permanent ISS occupation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable piece of modern astrophilately combining \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egenuine orbital flight, unusual handwritten onboard documentation and direct associations with African, European and Russian spaceflight history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418706696,"sku":"11384","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11384.jpg?v=1784304459"},{"product_id":"flown-iss-xmas-card-to-sharipov-11412","title":"FLOWN ISS 2004 Xmas card from Karen Chiao to Sharipov","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristmas Day on the ISS — Flown Card from Karen Chiao to Cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the renowned astrophilatelic collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA deeply personal and exceptionally charming artifact of life aboard the International Space Station: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal Christmas card and matching cover sent by Karen Chiao, wife of Expedition 10 commander Leroy Chiao, to Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth the envelope and the enclosed Christmas card were carried into orbit and officially postmarked aboard the station on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecember 25, 2004—Christmas Day\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComing from the renowned astrophilatelic collection of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, this intimate piece offers something rarely encountered in space memorabilia: not simply a mission souvenir, but genuine personal correspondence exchanged within the close community of astronaut families and international crewmates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Christmas greeting sent into space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile millions of families celebrated Christmas on Earth, Expedition 10 crew members \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeroy Chiao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalizhan Sharipov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e were living and working aboard the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChiao served as Expedition 10 commander and NASA science officer, while Sharipov served as Soyuz commander and ISS flight engineer. Together they formed the station’s two-person resident crew from October 2004 until April 2005.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe card was sent by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKaren Chiao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Leroy Chiao’s wife at the time, to her husband’s Russian crewmate. NASA’s astronaut biography records that Leroy and Karen Chiao married in 2003.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis personal connection gives the item an emotional quality far beyond that of an ordinary commemorative cover. It reflects the friendships and family relationships that supported international crews during months of separation from home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard the ISS on Christmas Day\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth components of the ensemble—the outer cover and the original card inside—bear onboard ISS cancellations dated:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 December 2004\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe matching Christmas Day postmarks provide direct evidence that the complete correspondence was present aboard the station during Expedition 10.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHoliday-dated space mail has always held special appeal for astrophilatelists. Christmas material is particularly evocative because it documents the human side of long-duration spaceflight: astronauts and cosmonauts celebrating far from their families while orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than merely commemorating Christmas in space, this was an actual greeting addressed to a crew member living aboard the ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 10: an American–Russian crew in orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe resident crew consisted of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeroy Chiao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut, Expedition 10 commander and science officer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalizhan Sharipov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut, Soyuz commander and Expedition 10 flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNASA identifies Chiao and Sharipov as the Expedition 10 crew, with Sharipov serving as the mission’s Soyuz commander and ISS flight engineer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir mission included scientific research, station maintenance, cargo operations and preparations for spacewalks. The two crew members lived aboard the station for approximately six months, relying on close cooperation between the American and Russian space programs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe card therefore represents not only a private seasonal greeting, but also the personal relationships behind one of the most successful international partnerships in spaceflight history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the Jacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable ensemble comes from the collection of renowned astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBracke assembled important flown covers, onboard-cancelled correspondence and crew-associated postal artifacts from the Soviet, Russian, European and American space programs. Its presence in his specialist collection adds valuable provenance to an already exceptional piece of personal ISS mail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ensemble includes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original flown outer cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original enclosed Christmas card\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMatching onboard ISS cancellations on both pieces\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristmas Day date of December 25, 2004\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonal correspondence from Karen Chiao to Salizhan Sharipov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the Jacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenuine personal correspondence rather than a standard souvenir issue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSent by Karen Chiao, wife of Expedition 10 commander Leroy Chiao\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to Expedition 10 cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal cover and Christmas card retained together\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBoth pieces postmarked aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled in orbit on Christmas Day, December 25, 2004\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the complete two-person Expedition 10 resident crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRepresents the personal bonds between astronaut families and international crewmates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the renowned astrophilatelic collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare combination of spaceflight, postal and Christmas history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA personal Christmas message from Earth to orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMany flown covers commemorate spacecraft, launches and expeditions. Very few preserve the quieter, more human story behind those achievements.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis card travelled from an astronaut’s family to his crewmate aboard the International Space Station and was postmarked in orbit on Christmas Day itself.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its complete original contents, matching onboard cancellations and provenance from the Jacques Bracke collection, this is a beautiful and highly unusual memento of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efriendship, family and Christmas aboard humanity’s permanent home in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418739464,"sku":"11412","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11412.jpg?v=1784304459"},{"product_id":"sts-132-flown-iss-cover-11419","title":"STS-132 FLOWN ISS cover + letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eSTS-132 FLOWN ISS cover \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription to follow later today\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418772232,"sku":"11419","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11419.jpg?v=1784304460"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-17-mir-flown-telegram-11437","title":"Soyuz TM-17 MIR FLOWN telegram from Xmas day 24.12.1993","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSOYUZ TM-17 \/ MIR FLOWN CHRISTMAS TELEGRAM STRIP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated 24 December 1993 • Signed in Orbit by Vasili Tsibliyev and Aleksandr Serebrov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eflown ca 3x16''telegram strip from the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e24 December 1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and hand-signed in orbit by veteran Russian cosmonauts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVasili Tsibliyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Serebrov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe date represents \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristmas Eve\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, celebrated while the two cosmonauts were nearing the end of an extraordinary six-and-a-half-month expedition aboard Mir. As a personal piece of onboard correspondence connected to the holiday period, the telegram offers an evocative glimpse into daily life aboard one of history’s most important orbital stations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-17 Crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-17 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 July 1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e carrying the complete three-member crew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVasili Tsibliyev — Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Serebrov — Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJean-Pierre Haigneré — French CNES Research Cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe spacecraft docked with Mir on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 July 1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Tsibliyev and Serebrov remained aboard as the station’s \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e14th principal expedition crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while Jean-Pierre Haigneré conducted the French \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAltaïr mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a 21-day program of scientific and medical research.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHaigneré returned to Earth on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e22 July 1993\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e aboard Soyuz TM-16 with outgoing Mir cosmonauts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGennadi Manakov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Poleshchuk\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Consequently, only Tsibliyev and Serebrov remained aboard Mir on 24 December 1993, which explains why this Christmas telegram is signed by those two long-duration crew members rather than by all three members of the original Soyuz TM-17 launch crew. NASA’s Mir history confirms that Tsibliyev and Serebrov replaced Manakov and Poleshchuk, while Haigneré returned with the outgoing crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLife and Work Aboard Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring their expedition, Tsibliyev and Serebrov conducted scientific research, maintained the orbital complex and completed several extravehicular activities. Their work included preparations and inspections connected with Mir’s exterior systems and the future use of the Kristall module’s APAS-89 docking mechanism—an important element in preparations for the forthcoming Shuttle–Mir program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe mission took place during a pivotal period in spaceflight history. Russia’s space program was adapting to the political and economic changes following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, while cooperation with France, the United States and other international partners was steadily increasing. Soyuz TM-17 and the Altaïr mission therefore formed part of the transition from primarily national space-station operations toward the multinational cooperation that would eventually define the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDramatic Conclusion of Soyuz TM-17\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-17 undocked from Mir on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e14 January 1994\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with Tsibliyev and Serebrov aboard. During a photographic fly-around of the station, a control-selection error caused the Soyuz orbital module to make two glancing contacts with Mir’s Kristall module.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommunications were temporarily interrupted, but inspection showed that neither the spacecraft nor the station had suffered serious damage. Tsibliyev and Serebrov subsequently completed a safe return to Earth after approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e196 days in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The incident remains one of the notable close calls in Mir’s operational history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Original flown telegram strip showing expected handling and age consistent with its use aboard Mir. Please examine the accompanying photographs for the exact wording, markings, signature placement, dimensions and overall condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254418805000,"sku":"11437","price":245.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11437.jpg?v=1784304461"},{"product_id":"sts-101-flown-iss-cover-11432","title":"STS-101 FLOWN early ISS cover + letter Yuri Usachev","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTS-101 — One of the Earliest Letters Written Aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and preserved in the Jacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary piece of early International Space Station postal history: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal handwritten letter composed aboard the ISS by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachev during STS-101\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, enclosed in its matching flown cover and carried back to Earth aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to Swiss astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJürg Dirauer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the letter subsequently entered the collection of renowned astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. According to its documented provenance, only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12 such covers and letters were prepared\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making this an exceptionally scarce artifact from the period before the station became permanently inhabited.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complete ensemble includes the original registered-mail receipt from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHouston, dated June 1, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, documenting the final terrestrial stage of the letter’s remarkable journey from orbit to Switzerland.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten aboard the ISS by Yuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Usachev travelled to the International Space Station as one of the seven members of STS-101:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames D. Halsell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScott J. Horowitz\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Pilot\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMary Ellen Weber\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJeffrey N. Williams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames S. Voss\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSusan J. Helms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri V. Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e launched on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 19, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and docked with the still-unoccupied International Space Station on May 21. The crew remained connected to the station for almost six days before undocking on May 26 and returning to Earth on May 29. STS-101 was only the third Shuttle mission to visit the developing ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring this docked period, Usachev personally wrote the enclosed letter aboard the station. It was then carried back to Earth with him aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, creating an unusually direct and personal record of human activity inside the ISS during its earliest assembly phase.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBefore permanent habitation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe date of this correspondence gives it exceptional historical importance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen STS-101 arrived, the International Space Station was not yet permanently occupied. Only its earliest elements had been assembled, and visiting Shuttle crews entered the station to carry out maintenance, repairs, upgrades and preparations for the arrival of its first resident expedition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe STS-101 crew replaced batteries, installed equipment, transferred supplies and improved the station’s habitability. James Voss and Jeffrey Williams also completed a 6-hour, 44-minute spacewalk to install and secure external hardware.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first permanent residents—Expedition 1 cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev and NASA astronaut William Shepherd—would not arrive until November 2000.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis letter was therefore written during the brief pioneering period when every human visit to the ISS required a dedicated Space Shuttle mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Usachev: visitor and future ISS commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsachev’s association with the station did not end with STS-101.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLess than a year later, he returned as commander of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, becoming one of the earliest long-duration residents of the ISS. Together with Susan Helms and James Voss—both of whom had also flown with him on STS-101—he helped establish the operational routines of permanent life and work aboard the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe letter consequently connects two important stages of Usachev’s career: his early assembly visit aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and his later role as commander of one of the station’s first resident crews.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom orbit through Houston to Switzerland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e landed at Kennedy Space Center on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 29, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the letter continued through the conventional postal system.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accompanying original registered-mail receipt, dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJune 1, 2000 in Houston\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, documents its dispatch toward Switzerland and provides a valuable terrestrial counterpart to its orbital history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts route can therefore be reconstructed as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarth → Space Shuttle Atlantis → International Space Station → Atlantis → Earth → Houston → Switzerland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew letters can claim such an extraordinary journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of only 12 examples\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to its provenance, only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e12 examples of this special onboard correspondence were created\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of an original handwritten letter, matching Shuttle-flown cover, named recipient and surviving registered-mail receipt makes this a far more complete historical ensemble than a conventional commemorative cover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts provenance from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e further enhances its importance. Bracke assembled a significant specialist collection of flown space mail and crew-associated astrophilatelic material from the Soviet, Russian, European and American space programs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the collection of renowned astrophilatelist Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal letter handwritten aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten by Roscosmos cosmonaut Yuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to Swiss astrophilatelist Jürg Dirauer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCarried to and from the ISS aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown during STS-101 in May 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten before the beginning of permanent ISS habitation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with only the third Shuttle mission to the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReturned to Earth aboard STS-101\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by the original Houston registered-mail receipt dated June 1, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to its provenance, one of only 12 examples prepared\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant artifact from the earliest assembly period of the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsachev later became commander of Expedition 2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ensemble was reportedly originally valued or sold at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e€2,000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, illustrating the importance placed on these rare early ISS letters from the time of their original release. This value statement should be accompanied by the original invoice, catalogue or supporting paperwork when offered for sale.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA pioneering piece of postal history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, mail flown aboard the International Space Station is an established field of astrophilately. In May 2000, however, the station was still a silent, unfinished outpost awaiting its first permanent residents.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis letter was written inside that pioneering orbital complex by a cosmonaut who would soon return as one of its first commanders.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its exceptional rarity, original contents, registered-mail documentation and provenance from the Jacques Bracke collection, this is a major artifact of early ISS history—and one of the closest things possible to a personal letter sent from humanity’s new home in space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419132680,"sku":"11432","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11432.jpg?v=1784304464"},{"product_id":"iss-expedition-2-flown-usachev-cover-11430","title":"ISS Expedition 2 FLOWN Usachev cover + letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eISS Expedition 2 FLOWN Usachev cover + letter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription to follow later today\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419198216,"sku":"11430","price":495.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11430.jpg?v=1784304466"},{"product_id":"iss-expedition-5-flown-korzun-cover-11429","title":"ISS Expedition 5 FLOWN Korzun cover + letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eISS Expedition 5 FLOWN Korzun cover + letter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription to follow later\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419230984,"sku":"11429","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11429.jpg?v=1784304467"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-32-flown-iss-cover-tito-11428","title":"Soyuz TM-32 FLOWN ISS cover Dennis Tito first space tourist","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-32 — Extremely Rare ISS-Flown Dennis Tito Cover, One of Only Four Produced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional artifact from a defining moment in commercial spaceflight: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational Space Station-flown cover carried aboard Soyuz TM-32\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, hand-signed by the mission crew and postmarked in orbit on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 6, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse bears a handwritten certification by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commander of the resident ISS Expedition 2 crew, confirming that the cover was flown aboard Soyuz TM-32. According to its provenance, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eonly four examples of this special cover were produced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making it an extraordinary rarity from the flight of the world’s first privately funded space traveler.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by the Soyuz TM-32 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover is hand-signed by the complete three-person Soyuz TM-32 launch crew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTalgat Musabayev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Soyuz TM-32 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Baturin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Russian cosmonaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDennis Tito\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — spaceflight participant and the first paying private citizen to travel into orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYuri Usachev\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-32 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApril 28, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and docked with the International Space Station two days later. The mission delivered a replacement Soyuz spacecraft that remained attached to the station as an emergency return vehicle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDennis Tito and the birth of orbital space tourism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe central historical importance of this cover lies in its association with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDennis Tito\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose journey opened an entirely new chapter in human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn American engineer, investment manager and former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory employee, Tito financed his own journey to the ISS. By launching aboard Soyuz TM-32, he became the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst paying private citizen to make an orbital spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and the first privately funded visitor to the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis participation was controversial at the time and required extensive negotiations among the international partners responsible for the still-developing station. Nevertheless, the mission was completed successfully and demonstrated that privately financed individuals could train for and safely undertake orbital flight alongside professional cosmonauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTito spent almost eight days in space, orbiting Earth approximately 128 times before returning with Musabayev and Baturin. His flight established the model followed by later private ISS visitors and became a foundational event in the development of commercial human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA postmark from the mission’s final day\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover was postmarked aboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMay 6, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the day Tito, Musabayev and Baturin completed their mission and returned to Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough the crew had launched aboard Soyuz TM-32, they returned aboard the older \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-31\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which had previously served as the station’s emergency spacecraft. Soyuz TM-32 remained docked to the ISS as its replacement lifeboat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe May 6 cancellation therefore records the final day of the first privately funded orbital expedition and places the cover aboard the ISS at the conclusion of Tito’s historic visit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified by Expedition 2 commander Yuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handwritten certification on the reverse was provided by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who was serving as commander of Expedition 2 when Soyuz TM-32 arrived.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUsachev lived aboard the ISS with NASA astronauts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSusan Helms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames Voss\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The Expedition 2 crew welcomed Tito and his Russian crewmates to the station and was present when this cover received its onboard cancellation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis certification provides valuable direct testimony from the station commander that the cover was genuinely carried aboard Soyuz TM-32 and flown to the ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional commercial-spaceflight rarity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown philatelic material from Dennis Tito’s mission is extremely difficult to obtain. Unlike later commercial visits, the first privately funded ISS expedition took place during the station’s early construction period, when very few commemorative items were carried.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to the item’s documented provenance, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eonly four of these covers were created\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This exceptionally small reported production, combined with the complete crew signatures and Usachev’s handwritten flight certification, gives the cover outstanding importance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard Soyuz TM-32 and the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with the first privately funded orbital spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-signed by Talgat Musabayev, Yuri Baturin and Dennis Tito\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard the ISS on May 6, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled on the final day of Tito’s historic mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified on the reverse by Expedition 2 commander Yuri Usachev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with Dennis Tito, the first paying private citizen in orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eImportant artifact from the birth of commercial human spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to its provenance, one of only four covers produced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtremely rare early International Space Station astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA museum-quality artifact uniting \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egenuine Soyuz and ISS flight history, complete mission-crew signatures, direct commander certification and one of the most consequential milestones in the development of private space travel\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419263752,"sku":"11428","price":795.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11428.jpg?v=1784304468"},{"product_id":"expedition-65-flown-iss-cover-11339","title":"Expedition 65 \/ Soyuz MS-18 first spacemovie - FLOWN ISS cover","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 65 — ISS-Flown Cover Signed in Space by the International Crew and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChallenge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Film Team\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary artifact of modern space exploration: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal philatelic cover flown aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 65, hand-signed in orbit by astronauts, cosmonauts and participants in the historic Russian film project \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Challenge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover was officially postmarked aboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOctober 17, 2021\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the final day of Expedition 65 and the date on which Soyuz MS-18 returned to Earth. This precisely dated onboard cancellation places the cover at a remarkable moment when the station hosted its regular international crew together with Russian actress \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYulia Peresild\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and film director \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlim Shipenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe crew and spaceflight participants present during this historic period were:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Pesquet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — ESA astronaut and Expedition 65 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkihiko Hoshide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — JAXA astronaut and former Expedition 65 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShane Kimbrough\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMegan McArthur\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark Vande Hei\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Novitskiy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz MS-18 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePyotr Dubrov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnton Shkaplerov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz MS-19 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYulia Peresild\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — actress and spaceflight participant\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlim Shipenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — film director and spaceflight participant\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe seven professional members of the principal Expedition 65 crew were Pesquet, Hoshide, Kimbrough, McArthur, Vande Hei, Novitskiy and Dubrov. Shkaplerov, Peresild and Shipenko arrived aboard Soyuz MS-19 on October 5, temporarily increasing the station’s population during the closing days of the expedition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first professional dramatic film made in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe presence of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e gives this cover exceptional cultural as well as space-historical importance. They travelled to the ISS to film scenes for the Russian motion picture \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Challenge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, widely recognized as the first professional feature-film production to shoot substantial dramatic material in Earth orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeresild performed the leading role, while Shipenko directed and operated much of the filming equipment himself. Their work transformed the ISS from a scientific laboratory into a genuine film location approximately 400 kilometres above Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnton Shkaplerov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e commanded the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft that carried the pair into orbit. After nearly twelve days aboard the station, Peresild and Shipenko returned to Earth with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Novitskiy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e aboard Soyuz MS-18 on October 17, 2021—the same date shown by the cover’s onboard postmark.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA milestone Expedition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 65 was an important period of international cooperation aboard the ISS, bringing together crew members representing NASA, Roscosmos, ESA and JAXA. The expedition supported scientific research, technology demonstrations, station maintenance and spacewalks while also witnessing the unprecedented arrival of a professional filmmaking team.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis exceptional cover combines several highly desirable elements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand-signed in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled with an onboard ISS postmark dated October 17, 2021\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the conclusion of Expedition 65\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with the Soyuz MS-18 and Soyuz MS-19 missions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand signed by all 10 (Shipenko signed twice) astronauts and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by actress Yulia Peresild and director Klim Shipenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eDirectly connected with the filming of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Challenge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by an official \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAIEP Certificate of Authenticity issued by Igor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA remarkable museum-quality piece of contemporary astrophilately, documenting both a major International Space Station expedition and the historic moment when professional feature filmmaking reached Earth orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419296520,"sku":"11339","price":495.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11339.jpg?v=1784304468"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tma-9-flown-iss-cover-worldcup-11414","title":"Soyuz TMA-9 FLOWN ISS cover + letter - Soccer Worldcup 2006","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the 2006 FIFA World Cup to the International Space Station — Soyuz TMA-9 Flown Private Mail Cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efootball history, private correspondence and genuine space-flown postal history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: a cover mailed from Germany during the closing weekend of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2006 FIFA World Cup\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, subsequently carried aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to the International Space Station and postmarked again in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover received its first postal cancellation in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrankfurt on July 8, 2006\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, when Germany was hosting one of the most memorable FIFA World Cups of the modern era. That same evening, the German national team defeated Portugal 3–1 in the third-place play-off, bringing the host nation’s celebrated tournament to an emotional conclusion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJust over two months later, the cover completed a far more unusual journey—from Germany to the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt was postmarked aboard the ISS on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeptember 20, 2006\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the date Soyuz TMA-9 docked with the orbital complex and delivered the incoming Expedition 14 crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA handwritten letter sent to the commander of the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInside the cover is the original handwritten letter from noted astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIgor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to Russian cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePavel Vinogradov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who was serving as commander of Expedition 13 aboard the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike a purely commemorative cover, this was genuine private correspondence addressed to a named astronaut living in orbit. The complete letter remains inside and is accompanied by an English translation, allowing the collector to appreciate both its philatelic importance and its personal content.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of the original enclosure, its terrestrial cancellation and its later onboard ISS postmark makes this a particularly evocative example of private space mail.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-9 and the Expedition 14 crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-9 carried three people to the International Space Station:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichael López-Alegría\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and incoming Expedition 14 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMikhail Tyurin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnousheh Ansari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — private spaceflight participant\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe spacecraft docked with the ISS on September 20, 2006—the exact date recorded by the onboard cancellation. López-Alegría and Tyurin arrived to begin their long-duration Expedition 14 assignment, while Ansari completed a shorter visit before returning to Earth with members of Expedition 13.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time of the docking, the resident Expedition 13 crew consisted of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePavel Vinogradov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos cosmonaut and station commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJeffrey Williams\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — ESA astronaut from Germany and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNASA records September 20 as the docking date of the incoming Expedition 14 crew, while Vinogradov, Williams and Reiter were then serving aboard the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePavel Vinogradov: the recipient in orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe letter was personally addressed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePavel Vinogradov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of Russia’s most experienced cosmonauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVinogradov commanded Expedition 13 and was living aboard the ISS when Soyuz TMA-9 arrived. Together with Jeffrey Williams and German ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter, he formed the resident crew that received the new Soyuz visitors and incoming expedition members.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis direct association with the station commander distinguishes the cover from ordinary souvenir mail. It represents a genuine line of communication between a specialist collector on Earth and a veteran cosmonaut in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Germany’s “summer fairy tale” to space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2006 World Cup in Germany became widely remembered for its festive international atmosphere and was popularly described in Germany as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSommermärchen\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—a “summer fairy tale.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Frankfurt cancellation dated July 8 places the cover within the tournament’s final weekend, on the day of Germany’s third-place victory over Portugal. Its subsequent journey aboard Soyuz TMA-9 extended that story beyond Earth, linking one of the world’s greatest sporting events with the international cooperation represented by the ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe presence of German ESA astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e aboard the station adds another meaningful connection. While Germany celebrated the World Cup on Earth, Reiter was preparing for—and later serving during—the mission period in which this piece of private mail reached orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGenuine private correspondence carried to the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrankfurt postal cancellation dated July 8, 2006\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCancelled on the day Germany defeated Portugal in the World Cup third-place match\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarried aboard Soyuz TMA-9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard the ISS on September 20, 2006\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOnboard cancellation dated to the Soyuz TMA-9 docking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContains the original handwritten letter from Igor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to Expedition 13 commander Pavel Vinogradov aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by a translation of the complete letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with Michael López-Alegría, Mikhail Tyurin and Anousheh Ansari\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with resident crew members Vinogradov, Jeffrey Williams and Thomas Reiter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCombines football, German, Russian and international space history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating crossover collectible for enthusiasts of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eastrophilately, the International Space Station, Soyuz missions, German postal history and FIFA World Cup memorabilia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the excitement of Germany’s 2006 World Cup to the International Space Station orbiting hundreds of kilometres above Earth, this exceptional cover tells a journey few pieces of mail could ever equal.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419362056,"sku":"11414","price":395.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11414.jpg?v=1784304470"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tma-12m-olympic-games-flown-iss-cover-11423","title":"Soyuz TMA-12M Olympic Games FLOWN ISS cover + letter","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoyuz TMA-12M Olympic Games FLOWN ISS cover \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescription to follow\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254419493128,"sku":"11423","price":350.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11423.jpg?v=1784304471"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tma-8-svarowsky-crystals-flown-iss-cover-11309","title":"Soyuz TMA-8 - Svarowsky crystals stamp FLOWN ISS cover + letter","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUNIQUE ISS-FLOWN SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL STAMP COVER AND HANDWRITTEN LETTER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDelivered by Soyuz TMA-8 to Cosmonaut Valery Tokarev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eCertified by Tokarev • AIEP Certificate • Published in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace \u0026amp; Philately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the Personal Collection of Renowned Astrophilatelist Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary and potentially unique piece of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational Space Station astrophilately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, consisting of an envelope addressed and sent to Russian cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eValery Tokarev aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with its original handwritten letter from noted astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIgor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe envelope is franked with Austria’s distinctive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSwarovski Crystal Worlds miniature stamp sheet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an innovative postal issue incorporating genuine Swarovski crystals. Austrian Post issued the sheet in 2004 with two crystal-decorated stamps\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, combining traditional philately with the celebrated crystal craftsmanship of Swarovski.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Tokarev’s handwritten certification on the reverse, the cover was:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Delivered to the ISS by Soyuz TMA-8 on April 1st 2006.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis personal statement by the recipient provides a direct connection between the envelope and its transportation to the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-8 and the Delivery to the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-8 launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30 March 2006\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and docked with the International Space Station on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 April 2006\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, matching the delivery date recorded by Valery Tokarev on the reverse of the cover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complete Soyuz TMA-8 launch crew consisted of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePavel Vinogradov — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJeffrey N. Williams — NASA astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarcos Pontes — Brazilian Space Agency astronaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eValery Tokarev and Expedition 12\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time the letter arrived, Valery Tokarev was completing a long-duration assignment aboard the ISS as flight engineer of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 12.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eMcArthur and Tokarev had launched aboard Soyuz TMA-7 on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e1 October 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e and had lived and worked aboard the station for approximately six months. Their expedition included scientific research, maintenance of the orbital complex and two spacewalks.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe envelope therefore reached Tokarev during the brief and historically significant handover period when the outgoing and incoming expedition crews were simultaneously aboard the ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIgor Rodin’s Handwritten Letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original handwritten letter by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIgor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an integral part of the ensemble. Preserving the correspondence together with its envelope provides valuable contextual evidence and transforms the object from an isolated flown cover into a documented personal communication sent from Earth to a named cosmonaut in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of sender, recipient, contents and Tokarev’s handwritten delivery confirmation offers an unusually complete record of the cover’s journey.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertification and Published Documentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe envelope and its accompanying handwritten letter are supplied with:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eAn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAIEP certificate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eA copy of the 2007 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace \u0026amp; Philately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e bulletin\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe published article featuring this exact cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eValery Tokarev’s handwritten certification on the reverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the personal collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublication of the specific object in a specialist astrophilatelic bulletin adds an important additional layer of documentation, allowing the cover to be connected with an identifiable contemporary reference rather than relying solely upon later recollection.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollecting Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable ensemble combines several highly desirable characteristics:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransported to the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePersonally addressed to cosmonaut Valery Tokarev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified and dated by Tokarev on the reverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFranked with the unusual Austrian Swarovski issue containing genuine crystals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by Igor Rodin’s original handwritten letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupported by an AIEP certificate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003ePublished and illustrated in the 2007 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace \u0026amp; Philately\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e bulletin\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the personal collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDirect association with the Expedition 12–13 crew handover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnection to the first spaceflight by a Brazilian astronaut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew astrophilatelic objects combine such striking visual appeal with documented orbital transportation, personal cosmonaut correspondence, specialist certification and published provenance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA superb and possibly unique artifact linking Austrian philately, Swarovski design, the Russian Soyuz program and the multinational history of the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254420017416,"sku":"11309","price":425.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11309.jpg?v=1784304476"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-14-tma-11m-flown-mir-iss-aerogram-11324","title":"Soyuz TM-13\/14 + TMA-13M - Twice FLOWN MIR + ISS Aerogramme - Reid Wiseman !","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUNIQUE TWICE-FLOWN MIR AND ISS AEROGRAMME\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14 and Soyuz TMA-13M • Five Mir and Two ISS Onboard Postmarks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned and Certified by Yuri Semenov and Ten Spaceflight Personalities\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlaus-Dietrich Flade • Alexander Gerst • Reid Wiseman, Artemis II Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the Personal Collection of Renowned Astrophilatelist Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn extraordinary \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eapproximately 8 × 10-inch aerogramme flown into space on two separate occasions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, first to the Soviet–Russian \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir space station in 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and, more than two decades later, to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternational Space Station in 2014\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable artifact connects two generations of German human spaceflight: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlaus-Dietrich Flade’s pioneering Mir ’92 mission aboard Soyuz TM-14\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst’s first spaceflight aboard Soyuz TMA-13M\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, flown alongside NASA astronaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReid Wiseman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who later commanded the historic Artemis II mission around the Moon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aerogramme bears an exceptional group of onboard postal markings:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFive different Mir onboard postmarks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTwo different International Space Station onboard postmarks\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is reported to be hand-signed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eten cosmonauts and astronauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, including Flade, Gerst and Wiseman, and is additionally signed and certified by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Pavlovich Semenov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the former General Designer and General Director of NPO\/RSC Energia—the organization responsible for the Soyuz spacecraft and a central participant in the Mir and ISS programs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece originates from the personal collection of renowned Belgian astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, adding important specialist provenance to an already exceptional flown artifact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Spaceflight: Soyuz TM-14 and Mir ’92\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aerogramme’s first journey into orbit was associated with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e17 March 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The mission carried:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Viktorenko — Soyuz Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr Kaleri — Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKlaus-Dietrich Flade — German Research Cosmonaut\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14 docked with Mir on 19 March. Flade spent nearly eight days in space and conducted 14 German scientific experiments as part of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMir ’92 program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, supporting Germany’s preparations for future participation in international space-station projects. He became the second German to visit a space station, following East German cosmonaut Sigmund Jähn, and the first astronaut representing reunified Germany to fly aboard a Soyuz spacecraft and visit Mir.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlade returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-13 on 25 March 1992. Viktorenko and Kaleri remained aboard Mir as its 11th principal expedition and eventually returned aboard Soyuz TM-14 with French research cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMichel Tognini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-14 was also historically important as the first crewed Soyuz mission launched after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, placing it at the beginning of the Russian Federation’s era of human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecond Spaceflight: Soyuz TMA-13M and the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMore than 22 years later, the same aerogramme was reportedly carried into orbit again aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-13M\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which launched from Baikonur on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e28 May 2014 UTC—29 May local time in Kazakhstan\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complete three-member crew consisted of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaksim Suraev — Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst — European Space Agency astronaut and Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReid Wiseman — NASA astronaut and Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe spacecraft reached the International Space Station after a rapid four-orbit rendezvous. Suraev, Gerst and Wiseman served as members of Expeditions 40 and 41 and remained in orbit for approximately five and a half months before returning to Earth together aboard Soyuz TMA-13M in November 2014.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst and the “Blue Dot” Mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-13M marked \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlexander Gerst’s first spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, known within ESA as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue Dot mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. During his six-month stay, Gerst worked as a scientist and flight engineer and participated in dozens of investigations involving physics, biology, human physiology and radiation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGerst later returned to orbit aboard Soyuz MS-09 in 2018 and became the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst German to command the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, further enhancing the historical importance of his signature on this artifact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReid Wiseman: From Soyuz to Artemis II\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe presence of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReid Wiseman’s signature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e gives the aerogramme an exceptional connection to lunar exploration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-13M was Wiseman’s first spaceflight. He served as a flight engineer aboard the ISS for approximately 165 days and later became Chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWiseman subsequently commanded \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtemis II\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis campaign and humanity’s first crewed journey around the Moon since Apollo 17. Artemis II launched on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1 April 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. The crew completed its historic lunar flight and splashed down safely on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10 April 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, after traveling farther from Earth than any previous human crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWiseman’s autograph therefore links this artifact not only to the International Space Station, but also to the renewal of crewed exploration beyond low Earth orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Semenov and Energia Certification\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aerogramme is also hand-signed and certified by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Pavlovich Semenov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the most influential figures in late Soviet and Russian human spaceflight.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSemenov became General Designer of NPO Energia in 1989 and later served as its General Director. Energia developed and supported the Soyuz spacecraft, played a central role in the Mir program and became a major Russian partner in the International Space Station. His certification provides an important direct association with the organization responsible for the spacecraft used during both of the aerogramme’s reported journeys into orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAstrophilatelic and Historical Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis aerogramme unites an extraordinary range of collecting qualities:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown into space on two separate missions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCarried to both Mir and the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with Soyuz TM-14 and Soyuz TMA-13M\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFive different Mir onboard postal markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTwo different ISS onboard postal markings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by ten astronauts and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned and certified by Energia leader Yuri Semenov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with Klaus-Dietrich Flade’s pioneering Mir ’92 mission\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAssociated with Alexander Gerst’s first spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSigned by Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVery few astrophilatelic artifacts can document two separate journeys into orbit, aboard missions flown more than two decades apart, while connecting the Mir, ISS and Artemis eras of human space exploration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA truly exceptional centerpiece for an advanced collection of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eflown space mail, German human spaceflight, Soyuz, Mir, ISS or Artemis memorabilia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 8 × 10 inches, with expected folds, handling and postal markings consistent with its aerogramme format and reported orbital use. Please examine the accompanying photographs and documentation for the precise signatures, certifications, cancellations and overall condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254420082952,"sku":"11324","price":795.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11324.jpg?v=1784304477"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-3-flown-mir-cover-11330","title":"Soyuz TM-3 - FLOWN MIR cover with Anatoly Levchenko - COA","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-3 — Mir-Flown Cover Featuring Buran Test Pilot and Cosmonaut Anatoly Levchenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003espace-flown philatelic cover carried aboard the Soviet Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, connected with the brief but historically significant spaceflight of cosmonaut and legendary test pilot \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatoly Semyonovich Levchenko - hand signed by the crew Yuri Romanenko, Alexander Alexandrot and Anatoly Levchenko.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough associated with the return mission of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-3\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Levchenko originally launched aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-4 on December 21, 1987\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, together with Vladimir Titov and Musa Manarov. After docking with Mir, Levchenko spent approximately one week aboard the orbiting station before returning to Earth on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDecember 29, 1987\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, aboard the already-docked Soyuz TM-3 spacecraft with veteran cosmonauts Yuri Romanenko and Aleksandr Aleksandrov.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLevchenko’s journey was far more than a routine visiting expedition. He was one of the Soviet Union’s leading aviation test pilots and a member of the elite cosmonaut group selected for the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnergia–Buran reusable spacecraft program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. His flight to Mir was intended to provide genuine spaceflight experience and to investigate whether exposure to weightlessness affected the demanding piloting skills required to operate the Soviet space shuttle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn one of the most remarkable episodes of Soviet aerospace history, Levchenko was taken to an aircraft shortly after landing. Within approximately half an hour of his return from orbit, he took the controls of a specially equipped Tupolev Tu-154 laboratory aircraft to evaluate his ability to pilot immediately after a week in weightlessness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis experiment directly reflected Levchenko’s anticipated role in the Buran program. He was regarded as a potential crew member and backup commander for a future piloted Buran mission and had conducted extensive atmospheric test flights using the shuttle’s aerodynamic analogue aircraft. The Buran orbiter ultimately completed only one mission—an uncrewed, fully automated flight in November 1988—making Levchenko’s Mir expedition an especially important surviving connection to the unrealized era of piloted Soviet shuttle operations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLevchenko spent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e7 days, 21 hours and 58 minutes in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e during what would be his only orbital mission. He died unexpectedly in August 1988, only months after his return and shortly before Buran’s historic first flight. His early death ended the career of one of the Soviet Union’s most accomplished and promising shuttle test pilots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis remarkable cover therefore represents several interconnected chapters of space history:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCrew handsigned\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with Anatoly Levchenko’s only journey into space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA tangible artifact of the Soviet Energia–Buran shuttle program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare tribute to one of the program’s foremost test pilots and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable piece of Soviet astrophilately, combining genuine Mir-flight history with the compelling and tragically brief career of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnatoly Levchenko—cosmonaut, Hero of the Soviet Union and pioneer of the Buran space-shuttle program\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComes with an official COA by Walter Hoperwieder, FIP appointed expert on astrophilately.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254420246792,"sku":"11330","price":695.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11330.jpg?v=1784304481"},{"product_id":"iss-expedition-1-letter-sent-to-iss-11427","title":"ISS Expedition 1 letter sent to ISS - first manned crew - AIEP COA","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 1 — One of the First Letters Delivered from Earth to the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHandwritten by veteran cosmonaut Vasily Tsibliyev and addressed to Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the renowned astrophilatelic collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA true museum-calibre artifact from the beginning of permanent human life aboard the International Space Station: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal handwritten letter from veteran Russian cosmonaut Vasily Tsibliyev to Expedition 1 cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, delivered from Earth to the newly inhabited ISS during the station’s historic first resident mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe letter was written on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNovember 3, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, just one day after Gidzenko and his Expedition 1 crewmates entered the International Space Station and began an unbroken era of continuous human presence in orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreserved with its original addressed envelope, the complete letter was carried to the ISS aboard a Russian Progress supply spacecraft and subsequently postmarked onboard the station. According to the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity issued by Yuri Gidzenko, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eonly 13 examples of this pioneering correspondence are reported to have been prepared\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ensemble comes from the collection of renowned astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is accompanied by:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complete original handwritten letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts original envelope addressed to Yuri Gidzenko aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn English translation of the correspondence\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Certificate of Authenticity from Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn additional AIEP Certificate of Authenticity issued by Igor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe beginning of permanent life aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 1 launched aboard Soyuz TM-31 on October 31, 2000. The crew consisted of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWilliam M. “Bill” Shepherd\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and Expedition 1 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri P. Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Russian cosmonaut and Soyuz commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei K. Krikalev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Russian cosmonaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir Soyuz docked with the International Space Station on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNovember 2, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. After opening the hatches and entering the still-small orbital complex, the three men became the first crew to live and work permanently aboard the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt that time, the ISS consisted of only a few connected modules and bore little resemblance to the vast laboratory it later became. Expedition 1’s immediate tasks included activating life-support equipment, establishing communications, organizing sleeping and working areas and transforming the newly assembled spacecraft into a functioning home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis letter was written on November 3, during those first historic hours of permanent occupation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA personal message from one cosmonaut to another\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe sender, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVasily Tsibliyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, was one of Russia’s most experienced Mir-era cosmonauts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe commanded Soyuz TM-17 and later Soyuz TM-25, serving as commander of Mir during the difficult 1997 expedition that experienced both a serious onboard fire and the collision between the Progress M-34 cargo vehicle and the station’s Spektr module.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe recipient, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, had previously served aboard Mir before being selected as Soyuz commander for Expedition 1. His responsibilities included piloting Soyuz TM-31 during its approach and docking and helping establish the operational foundations of the first permanent ISS expedition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe correspondence therefore links two important generations of Russian space-station history:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe veteran Mir program and the birth of permanent life aboard the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the earliest personal mail delivered to the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Gidzenko’s accompanying certification, this correspondence formed part of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst delivery of personal mail from Earth to the resident crew of the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, transported aboard a Progress cargo spacecraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProgress vehicles were crucial to the survival and operation of the new station, carrying food, water, fuel, equipment and personal supplies to its crews. The Expedition 1 mission plan relied on Progress spacecraft for essential logistics and station outfitting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWithin that technical cargo was something distinctly human: handwritten correspondence from friends and colleagues on Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis letter is therefore not merely a souvenir produced to commemorate Expedition 1. It represents personal communication addressed to one of the first three people to call the ISS home.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard the newly inhabited station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original envelope and correspondence received an onboard ISS postal cancellation, documenting their presence inside the station during its inaugural resident expedition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the time, onboard-cancelled ISS mail was still an entirely new field of astrophilately. The station had only just become inhabited, and its traditions of carrying, signing and cancelling private correspondence had barely begun.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result is an artifact from the very beginning of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISS postal history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, created before the station expanded into the permanently crewed international laboratory familiar today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptional rarity and documentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Yuri Gidzenko’s Certificate of Authenticity, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eonly 13 covers of this type are reported\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe survival of the complete contents makes this example particularly important. It retains not simply the flown envelope, but also the original handwritten message, its translation and two layers of specialist authentication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe accompanying Gidzenko certificate provides direct testimony from the Expedition 1 Soyuz commander and recipient of the letter, while the additional certificate by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIgor Rodin of the Association Internationale des Experts en Philatélie\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, or AIEP, adds further specialist documentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the Jacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis historic ensemble comes from the collection of renowned astrophilatelist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBracke assembled significant flown covers, onboard correspondence and cosmonaut-certified material spanning the Soviet, Russian, European and American space programs. Its presence in his collection adds an important specialist provenance to an artifact already distinguished by its rarity and direct connection to Expedition 1.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the renowned astrophilatelic collection of Jacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal handwritten letter by veteran cosmonaut Vasily Tsibliyev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to Expedition 1 cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten on November 3, 2000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated one day after the first resident crew entered the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDelivered from Earth aboard a Progress cargo spacecraft\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked onboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncludes the complete original letter and addressed envelope\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by an English translation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified by Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional AIEP Certificate of Authenticity by Igor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Gidzenko’s COA, one of only 13 reported examples\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the first permanent residents of the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the earliest known examples of personal correspondence delivered to the occupied station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA direct link between the Mir era and the beginning of permanent ISS habitation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA museum piece from humanity’s first permanent home in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOn November 2, 2000, Shepherd, Gidzenko and Krikalev entered the International Space Station and began a continuous human presence in orbit that has endured ever since.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten the following day and delivered to Gidzenko aboard that newly inhabited outpost, this letter captures the human side of that historic transition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its original handwritten contents, onboard postal marking, dual certification, reported production of only 13 examples and provenance from the Jacques Bracke collection, this is not simply a rare flown cover.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is an intimate surviving document from the moment the International Space Station first became humanity’s permanent home beyond Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254452556040,"sku":"11427","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11427.jpg?v=1784305627"},{"product_id":"iss-expedition-1-letter-from-the-iss-11433","title":"ISS Expedition 1 letter from the ISS - delivered by the Space Shuttle","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 1 “First Space Mail” — Historic Letter Written Aboard the ISS and Returned by STS-98 Atlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of only 19 reported examples\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the renowned Jacques Bracke astrophilatelic collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA museum-calibre artifact from the birth of permanent human habitation in space: an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoriginal handwritten letter composed aboard the International Space Station by Expedition 1 cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko and addressed to fellow Russian cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFebruary 13, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the complete letter discusses aspects of Gidzenko’s life aboard the newly inhabited station. It remains together with its original addressed envelope, which was postmarked in orbit and carried back to Earth aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e during mission \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSTS-98\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity issued by Yuri Gidzenko, only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19 examples of this pioneering ISS correspondence are reported\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and the group represents the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst mail dispatched from the International Space Station to Earth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ensemble comes from the renowned astrophilatelic collection of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and is accompanied by a translation, Gidzenko’s original certification and an additional expert certificate issued by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIgor Rodin of the AIEP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten aboard humanity’s new permanent outpost\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 1 began when \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWilliam Shepherd, Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e entered the International Space Station on November 2, 2000. Their arrival opened the era of continuous human occupation aboard the ISS.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe first resident crew consisted of:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWilliam M. Shepherd\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA astronaut and Expedition 1 commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri P. Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Russian cosmonaut and Soyuz commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei K. Krikalev\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Russian cosmonaut and flight engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt that time, the ISS was still a small and unfinished orbital complex. Its first residents activated systems, organized living quarters, received visiting spacecraft and transformed the newly assembled modules into a functioning home and laboratory.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGidzenko wrote this letter only a little more than three months after the crew’s arrival, making it an intimate contemporary account from the earliest period of permanent life aboard the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA personal letter to cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe recipient, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergei Zalyotin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, was himself an accomplished Russian cosmonaut and former commander of the Mir space station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis was therefore not a ceremonial message to an anonymous collector, but personal correspondence between two experienced cosmonauts—one writing from aboard the new International Space Station and the other on Earth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWithin the letter, Gidzenko briefly describes his life in orbit, giving the piece a personal documentary value that ordinary signed covers cannot offer. It preserves the voice of one of the ISS’s first residents during the station’s formative months.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReturned to Earth aboard STS-98 Atlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpace Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e launched on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFebruary 7, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, carrying the five-member STS-98 crew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKenneth D. Cockrell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMark L. Polansky\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Pilot\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRobert L. Curbeam Jr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarsha S. Ivins\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas D. Jones\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Mission specialist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Shuttle docked with the ISS two days after launch and remained connected while the astronauts installed the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDestiny U.S. Laboratory Module\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the most important additions in the station’s early assembly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGidzenko wrote the enclosed letter on February 13 while \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e was docked to the station. The correspondence was then transferred aboard the Shuttle and returned to Earth when STS-98 landed on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFebruary 20, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts journey can therefore be traced as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten aboard the ISS → postmarked in orbit → transferred to Space Shuttle Atlantis → returned to Earth aboard STS-98\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the earliest letters sent home from the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Yuri Gidzenko’s accompanying certificate, this letter formed part of a group of only \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e19 covers recognized as the first mail sent from the International Space Station to Earth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis reported status gives the ensemble exceptional importance within ISS astrophilately. It dates from a period before onboard ISS mail became an established collecting field and while the station was still receiving its first major laboratory modules.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe letter is not simply a later commemorative tribute to Expedition 1. It was physically written and processed aboard the station by a member of its inaugural resident crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComplete documentation and specialist provenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe ensemble includes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe complete original handwritten letter by Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts original envelope addressed to Sergei Zalyotin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn onboard International Space Station postal cancellation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn English translation of the letter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Certificate of Authenticity from Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn additional AIEP certificate issued by Igor Rodin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance from the Jacques Bracke collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGidzenko’s certificate is especially important because it comes directly from the letter’s author and one of the three first residents of the ISS. The additional expert documentation by Igor Rodin provides a further layer of specialist authentication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts provenance from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacques Bracke\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, whose collection included significant flown and onboard-cancelled material from the Soviet, Russian, European and American space programs, further enhances its standing as a serious astrophilatelic artifact.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCollector highlights\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the renowned Jacques Bracke astrophilatelic collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal letter handwritten aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten by Expedition 1 cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed to veteran cosmonaut Sergei Zalyotin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDated February 13, 2001\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContains personal observations about life aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRetains its original addressed envelope\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked aboard the International Space Station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eReturned to Earth aboard Space Shuttle \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAtlantis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on STS-98\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConnected with the installation of the Destiny laboratory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten during the first resident expedition aboard the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to Gidzenko’s COA, one of only 19 reported examples\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescribed in the accompanying documentation as part of the first mail sent from the ISS to Earth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccompanied by a complete translation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCertified by Yuri Gidzenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditionally certified by Igor Rodin, AIEP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA foundational artifact of ISS postal history\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eToday, the International Space Station is recognized as a permanent international research laboratory. In February 2001, however, it was still a new and rapidly developing outpost occupied by its first resident crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis letter was written inside that pioneering station, by one of the three people who first made it their home, and carried back to Earth aboard a visiting Space Shuttle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its original handwritten contents, onboard cancellation, direct cosmonaut certification, reported limitation to only 19 examples and provenance from the Jacques Bracke collection, this is an exceptional museum-quality document from the opening chapter of permanent human life aboard the International Space Station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58254452588808,"sku":"11433","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11433.jpg?v=1784305628"},{"product_id":"sts-135-tma-20-21-tma-02m-flown-iss-cover","title":"STS-135  TMA-20\/21 + TMA-02M flown ISS cover","description":"\u003cp\u003eSTS-135  TMA-20\/21 + TMA-02M flown ISS cover postmarked in space onboard the ISS.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficial RKK Energyia cover hand signed by 9 astronauts and cosmonauts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePostmarked with docking date 10.7.2011 - a piece of history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast Space Shuttle flight !\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed description to come.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341695652104,"sku":"11516","price":350.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11516.jpg?v=1785580421"},{"product_id":"expedition-30-flown-iss-cover-2012","title":"Expedition 30 flown ISS cover 2012","description":"\u003cp\u003eExpedition 30 flown ISS cover 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficial RKK Energyia cover hand signed by 6 astronauts and cosmonauts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed description to follow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341695717640,"sku":"11368","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11368.jpg?v=1785580423"},{"product_id":"expedition-23-24-flown-iss-cover-2010-aiep-coa","title":"Expedition 23\/24 flown ISS cover 2010 - AIEP COA","description":"\u003cp\u003eExpedition 23\/24 flown ISS cover 2010.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHand signed by 8 astronauts and cosmonauts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes with AIEP Rodin COA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed description to come.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341695783176,"sku":"11418","price":295.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11418.jpg?v=1785580426"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tma-09m-flown-iss-official-roscosmos-cover-luca-parmitano","title":"Soyuz TMA-09M flown ISS official \"Roscosmos\" cover - Luca Parmitano","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoyuz TMA-09M flown ISS official \"Roscosmos\" cover postmarked in space onboard the ISS 29.5.2013 and hand signed by all 6 astronauts and cosmonauts incl. Luca Parmitano, Artemis 3 astronaut.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertified on the backside by Roscosmos - these officially made covers are among the most sought after flown covers. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMint condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341696045320,"sku":"11365","price":325.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11365.jpg?v=1785580434"},{"product_id":"11410-description-to-follow","title":"Soyuz TMA-3 flown \"Yuri Gagarin\" card on ISS - COA Kaleri","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoyuz TMA-3 flown \"Yuri Gagarin\" postcard on ISS, postmarked onboard the ISS 9.3.2004. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComes with a separate COA by cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMint condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341696078088,"sku":"11410","price":225.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11410.jpg?v=1785580435"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tma-18m-19m-expedition-46-flown-energyia-iss-cover","title":"Soyuz TMA-18M\/19M - Expedition 46 flown \"Energyia\" ISS cover","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-18M\/19M Expedition 46 Flown ISS Cover — Signed by the Complete Crew\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptional official \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRSC Energia Expedition 46 cover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, genuinely flown aboard the International Space Station and hand-signed by the six astronauts and cosmonauts who formed the complete Expedition 46 crew:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScott Kelly\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA, Expedition 46 Commander\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMikhail Kornienko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos, Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSergey Volkov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos, Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYuri Malenchenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — Roscosmos, Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTim Kopra\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — NASA, Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTim Peake\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e — European Space Agency, Flight Engineer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExpedition 46 began in December 2015 and brought together an outstanding international crew from the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom. The mission was commanded by veteran NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, with Kornienko, Volkov, Malenchenko, Kopra and Peake serving as flight engineers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe cover is associated with two important Soyuz spacecraft. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-18M\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e launched from Baikonur on 2 September 2015 with Sergey Volkov, ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen and Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov. Although Mogensen and Aimbetov completed short-duration missions, Volkov remained aboard the ISS and later returned to Earth in TMA-18M with Scott Kelly and Mikhail Kornienko.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKelly and Kornienko had launched together aboard Soyuz TMA-16M in March 2015 and spent \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e340 consecutive days in space\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as participants in the landmark NASA–Roscosmos One-Year Mission. Their extended stay allowed researchers to study how long-duration spaceflight affects the human body, providing valuable knowledge for future missions to the Moon and Mars. They returned aboard Soyuz TMA-18M with Sergey Volkov on 1 March 2016.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TMA-19M\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e carried Yuri Malenchenko, Tim Kopra and Tim Peake to the station on 15 December 2015. Following an issue with the automated rendezvous system, Malenchenko manually docked the spacecraft with the ISS, completing the six-member Expedition 46 crew.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe mission also marked the beginning of Tim Peake’s six-month \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrincipia\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e mission. During his stay, the British ESA astronaut supported scientific investigations, educational activities and station operations before continuing into Expedition 47.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith its authentic ISS flight history and complete multinational crew-signature combination, this is far more than a conventional commemorative envelope. It connects two Soyuz missions, the historic Kelly–Kornienko One-Year Mission and one of the most recognizable international crews of the ISS era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare and highly desirable flown space artifact signed by Scott Kelly, Mikhail Kornienko, Sergey Volkov, Yuri Malenchenko, Tim Kopra and Tim Peake.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341696864520,"sku":"11354","price":275.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11354.jpg?v=1785580441"},{"product_id":"expedition-53-flown-iss-cover-randy-bresnik-artemis-3-rodin-coa","title":"Expedition 53 flown ISS cover - Randy Bresnik Artemis 3 - Rodin COA","description":"\u003cp\u003eExpedition 53 flown ISS cover postmarked in space onboard the ISS, hand signed by ther crews incl. Radny Bresnik - Artemis 3 commander!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAIEP\/Rodin Photo-COA included. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed description to follow.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341697978632,"sku":"11353","price":325.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11353.jpg?v=1785580471"},{"product_id":"soyuz-ms-05-flown-iss-cover-letter-private-mail-to-sergey-rjasanski","title":"Soyuz MS-05 flown ISS cover + letter - private mail to Sergey Rjasanski","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoyuz MS-05 flown ISS cover + letter - private mail to Sergey Rjasanski.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth cover and letter postmarked in space !\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetailed description to come!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341698011400,"sku":"11349","price":275.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11349.jpg?v=1785580472"},{"product_id":"mir-97-soyuz-tm-25-flown-mir-cover-jerry-linenger","title":"MIR 97 Soyuz TM-25 - flown MIR cover - Jerry Linenger","description":"\u003cp\u003eMIR 97 Soyuz TM-25 - flown MIR cover hand signed by all astronauts and cosmonauts incl. US astronaut Jerry Linenger !\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePostmarked in space - certified as flown on the cover !\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341698044168,"sku":"11389","price":195.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11389.jpg?v=1785580474"},{"product_id":"soyuz-tm-15-special-flown-mir-cover","title":"Soyuz TM-15 - special flown MIR cover","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoyuz TM-15 - special flown MIR cover hand signed by Anatoly Soloview and Sergey Avdeyev onboard MIR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnusual cachet - only 16 covers made, this is #5\/16.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341698109704,"sku":"11404","price":195.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11404.jpg?v=1785580476"},{"product_id":"ase-1991-berlin-flown-mir-cover-with-greetings","title":"ASE 1991 Berlin - flown MIR cover with greetings","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eASE Berlin 1991 Greeting Card — Signed by 13 Spacefarers and Flown to Mir\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional and highly unusual example of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003egenuine Mir space mail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, combining international astronaut signatures, documented orbital carriage and important Cold War-era history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe set comprises an envelope and greeting card signed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13 astronauts and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e attending the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeventh Planetary Congress of the Association of Space Explorers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, held in Berlin in 1991 under the fitting theme \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“Space Has No Boundaries.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The congress brought together experienced spacefarers from different nations at a pivotal moment in European and world history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the congress, the signed greeting card was sent to veteran cosmonaut \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAleksandr “Alexander” Volkov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, who was then serving as commander aboard the Mir space station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVolkov launched aboard \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSoyuz TM-13 on 2 October 1991\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and commanded Mir’s tenth principal expedition. He remained in orbit with Sergei Krikalev until \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 March 1992\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, completing a mission of more than 175 days. The flight spanned the dissolution of the Soviet Union, making artifacts connected with the expedition particularly evocative records of a dramatic political and technological transition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe envelope bears an authentic postmark applied aboard Mir, confirming its presence on the legendary orbital station. According to the accompanying provenance, the reverse also carries the distinctive German \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“MIR ’92” special onboard marking\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, further connecting the item to the German–Russian spaceflight activities of that period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe combination of features is outstanding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreeting card signed by 13 astronauts and cosmonauts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSignatures obtained at the 1991 ASE Planetary Congress in Berlin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAddressed and sent to Mir commander Aleksandr Volkov\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlown aboard the Mir space station\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePostmarked in orbit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional German “MIR ’92” marking on the reverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is far more than a conventionally signed greeting card. It is a remarkable international spaceflight artifact that travelled from a gathering of veteran space explorers in Berlin to one of the most important orbital stations in history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA rare and visually compelling piece of flown space mail, uniting 13 spacefarers, the Association of Space Explorers and Commander Aleksandr Volkov’s historic Mir expedition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341698142472,"sku":"11407","price":295.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11407.jpg?v=1785580478"},{"product_id":"spacex-crew-dragon-axiom-3-flown-iss-cove","title":"SpaceX Crew Dragon Axiom-3 flown ISS cover","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAxiom Mission 3 Flown ISS Cover — A Milestone in European Commercial Human Spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare cover flown aboard the International Space Station during \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAxiom Mission 3\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the third privately operated astronaut mission organized by Axiom Space and launched aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe four-person crew lifted off from Kennedy Space Center aboard the Crew Dragon \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreedom\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18 January 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Commanded by veteran astronaut Michael López-Alegría, the international crew also included Italian Air Force pilot Walter Villadei, Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravcı and Swedish ESA project astronaut Marcus Wandt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing an approximately 36-hour journey, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreedom\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e autonomously docked with the International Space Station at \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5:42 a.m. EST on 20 January 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, while the station was orbiting about 262 miles above the Pacific Ocean. The arrival temporarily increased the population aboard the ISS to eleven people.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAx-3 was promoted as the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003efirst all-European commercial astronaut mission to the ISS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and represented several important national milestones. Gezeravcı became the first citizen of Türkiye to travel into space, while Wandt became the first ESA-sponsored national astronaut to participate in a commercial human-spaceflight mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, the crew conducted more than 30 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations covering human physiology, medicine, microgravity research and future commercial activity in low-Earth orbit. The astronauts also completed an extensive program of educational and public-outreach events for audiences across Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter 18 days docked to the station, Crew Dragon \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreedom\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e departed the ISS on 7 February and safely returned the four astronauts to Earth with a splashdown off the Florida coast on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9 February 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs an artifact physically carried aboard the International Space Station, this flown cover has a direct connection to a landmark mission in the development of privately operated human spaceflight. It represents the growing cooperation between national space agencies, commercial operators and international research institutions—and an important step toward broader European participation in low-Earth orbit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA highly desirable modern spaceflight collectible associated with SpaceX Crew Dragon, Axiom Space and the continuing commercial transformation of human access to space.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341716361480,"sku":"11476","price":125.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11476.jpg?v=1785581366"},{"product_id":"dragon-spacex-crs-29-flown-iss-cover","title":"Dragon SpaceX CRS-29 flown ISS cover","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpaceX CRS-29 Flown ISS Cover — A Documented Artifact of Commercial Spaceflight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecover flown aboard the International Space Station during the SpaceX CRS-29 mission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpaceX CRS-29 was NASA’s 29th contracted Dragon cargo-resupply mission to the ISS and an important demonstration of the increasingly routine—but still technically remarkable—commercial transportation system supporting the station. The mission launched from historic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9 November 2023\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, carrying more than 6,500 pounds of scientific investigations, station hardware, crew supplies and equipment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCRS-29 delivered several significant scientific and technological investigations. Among the most important was \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eILLUMA-T\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a laser-communications experiment designed to transmit large quantities of data between the ISS, a relay satellite in geosynchronous orbit and ground stations on Earth. Together with NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration, it formed the agency’s first two-way, end-to-end laser communications relay system—technology intended to support faster and more efficient communications for future missions to the Moon and Mars.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCRS-29 was also a notable example of spacecraft reusability. The Dragon capsule was making its second journey to the ISS, having previously flown on the CRS-26 mission. It was the ninth SpaceX flight conducted under NASA’s second Commercial Resupply Services contract.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter more than a month attached to the station, Dragon undocked on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e21 December 2023\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, carrying over 4,300 pounds of completed experiments, research samples and station equipment back to Earth. Unlike most cargo spacecraft, which burn up during atmospheric re-entry, Dragon is capable of safely returning sensitive scientific material for analysis.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to insiders, Russian Segment Commander \u003cstrong\u003eOleg Kononenko\u003c\/strong\u003e prohibited other Russian crew members from signing flown covers or requesting signatures from international astronauts during this period. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341716394248,"sku":"11480","price":125.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11480.jpg?v=1785581367"},{"product_id":"cygnus-ng-20-flown-iss-cover-first-falcon-9-flight","title":"Cygnus NG-20 flown ISS cover - first Falcon 9 flight","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCygnus NG-20 Flown ISS Cover — A Rare Transitional Mission Artifact\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare cover flown aboard the International Space Station during the historic \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCygnus NG-20\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e resupply mission—an important milestone in the evolution of NASA’s commercial cargo program.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNamed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eS.S. 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Earlier Cygnus spacecraft had primarily flown aboard Northrop Grumman’s Antares launch vehicle, whose first stage incorporated Ukrainian-built structures and Russian RD-181 engines. With the remaining Antares 230+ hardware exhausted and its international supply chain disrupted, Falcon 9 provided an essential bridge for continuing Cygnus deliveries to the station.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAccording to several insiders, Russian Segment Commander \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOleg Kononenko\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e prohibited other Russian crew members from signing flown covers or requesting signatures from international astronauts during this period. This restriction significantly reduced the number of signed philatelic artifacts produced aboard the station, adding to the scarcity and collector appeal of surviving NG-20 material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA fascinating flown artifact connecting the International Space Station, the Cygnus cargo program and the first-ever Falcon 9 launch of a Cygnus spacecraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341716459784,"sku":"11479","price":125.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11479.jpg?v=1785581369"},{"product_id":"soyuz-ms-10-ms-12-flown-cover-crash-mail-christina-koch","title":"Soyuz MS-10 + MS-12 flown cover - crash mail - Christina Koch","description":"\u003cp\u003eUnique cover flown on the aborted flight Soyuz MS-10 and again on Soyuz MS-12 with cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin who certified the cover on the backflap !\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCover was onboard MS-10 and got slightly creased from the hard touchdown of the capsule, it then flew again with MS-12 and got signed and postmarked in space 15.3.2019 by 12 astronauts and cosmonauts in the first woman to fly to the moon Christina Koch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso signed by Jessica Meir who did the first all female spacewalk in history with Christina Koch, cover was more than 6 months in space !\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso signed by Anne McClain, another Artemis candidate.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Been in Space","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58341716623624,"sku":"11510","price":695.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1490\/3832\/files\/11510.jpg?v=1785581377"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.beeninspace.com\/collections\/mir-iss-space-station-flown-covers-letters.oembed?page=2","provider":"BEEN IN SPACE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}