RARE: Flown Space Shuttle Challenger STS-41G HRSI Tile w/ KSC Tag & Signed Crew

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RARE: Flown Space Shuttle Challenger STS-41G HRSI Tile w/ KSC Tag & Signed Crew:
$11999.00

Offered here is an authentic flown HRSI thermal-protection tile from Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099), presented together with its original Kennedy Space Center Flown Hardware tag, a vintage official NASA STS-41G crew photograph hand-signed by the full seven-member crew, and a custom museum-style display.

Tile identification

Orbiter: Challenger / OV-099
Mission designation on KSC tag: STS-17, later flown as STS-41G
Part No.: 395037-009
Serial No.: H26623
The part and serial identifiers correspond between the physical tile and its original KSC Flown Hardware documentation.
Approximate tile dimensions: 6.00\" × 5.8125\" × 1.125\"

Research into the tile-number map places 395037-009 on Challenger’s lower aft fuselage, adjacent to the port-side External Tank umbilical-door area.

Original KSC Flown Hardware tag

The original Kennedy Space Center tag accompanies the tile and identifies:

OV-099
STS No. 17
HRSI Tile
P/N 395037-009
S/N H26623

The tag remains exceptionally well preserved and is displayed in its own removable protective acrylic holder.

Signed STS-41G crew photograph

Also included is an uncommon vintage 8 × 10 official NASA glossy signed by the complete STS-41G crew.

The photograph was purchased from longtime space-autograph collector. The seller represented in writing that all signatures are hand-signed — no autopen or secretarial signatures — and stated that his STS crew photographs originated from the astronaut quarters through an individual who worked there and retained leftover mission photographs before launch.

The photograph also retains its original NASA information on the reverse and is displayed in a separate acrylic holder.

The complete presentation includes

Flown Challenger HRSI tile
Original matching KSC Flown Hardware tag
Vintage full-crew-signed NASA STS-41G photograph
Custom padded artifact mount
Engraved identification plaque
Acrylic tag holder
Acrylic photograph holder
Large clear acrylic display enclosure
Finished presentation base, including the stainless-steel exterior trim shown in the completed listing photographs

All components are removable. No adhesive, fastener, or permanent modification has been applied to the shuttle tile itself. The tile rests on protective padding within its custom mount.

Condition

The tile is an authentic flown spacecraft artifact and is being sold in its existing historical condition. It exhibits surface wear, marks, coating variation and several small edge/corner chips consistent with its age and history. These characteristics have not been restored or cosmetically altered. Extensive high-resolution photographs are included so buyers can inspect every major surface, edge, identifying marking and component before purchase.

The KSC tag and signed photograph are substantially cleaner and have been protected within their respective acrylic displays.

Historical significance

STS-41G launched aboard Challenger in October 1984 and remains one of the most historically notable Space Shuttle missions of the era. This presentation brings together actual flown Challenger hardware, its matching KSC documentation and a vintage signed photograph of the mission crew into one cohesive display.

Important note regarding “Signed” item specific:
The tile itself is not signed. The signed component of this complete presentation is the included vintage NASA STS-41G crew photograph.

This is being offered as the complete presentation shown in the listing photographs.