STS-1 Columbia Space Shuttle Tile

This Space Shuttle tile was fitted for the first flight of Columbia in early 1981 (STS-1). In the many months prior to first flight, the novel heat tiles were inspected and several were replaced. This one was scrapped and given to NASA Senior engineer Charlie Mars for his work on the Shuttle Program. Below the Shuttle Tile ID number, they added “IN APPRECIATION OF YOUR SUPPORT OF STS-1”.

Felt vibration isolation insulation material is on the back (see blow). This ITAR controlled technology was sold in the American Space Museum charity auction.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the first shuttle flight, which NASA described as “the boldest test flight in history.” It was the only time humans piloted the first flight of a new launch vehicle. It was the first time Americans launched with solid-fuel rockets. It was the first flight with no abort capability during the full burn of the solid rockets. Astronauts Young and Crippen helped design the spacecraft controls, including 2,214 switches and displays in the cockpit — about three times as many on the Apollo command module.