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Shuttle Memorabilia: Completing The Collection

The final launch of Atlantis and the end of the space shuttle program have created an increased interest in space memorabilia, especially for artifacts from the shuttle era.

No one knows this better than Robert Pearlman, the founder of the website collectSPACE.com, which is considered the online source for space history and artifacts.

Topping the list of collectibles are items that have flown on the space shuttle, like flags and mission patches, as well as parts of the shuttle, like the heat shield tiles or parts of the thermal blankets. Pieces of popular culture have also made their way onto shuttle flights, including Luke Skywalker’s light saber and a 12-inch-tall Buzz Lightyear action figure. And astronauts have sometimes taken personal items up with them. Among the more unusual items: a chunk of Mount Everest.

“About five years ago, you could buy an American flag that flew on the first space shuttle mission — of which there were 10,000 onboard — for about $500,” explains Pearlman. “Today, you’re lucky if you can find it for less than $1,000.”

Is it bad that my first thought was that I have most of the patches in the picture?