Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (July 7, 2011) – With NASA’s last planned space shuttle launch scheduled for Friday, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has added commemorative apparel and collectibles at the complex’s store in anticipation that visitors will want to mark the historic milestone.
The special line of merchandise and apparel commemorates STS-135, scheduled to be the last of the 135missions of the 30-year shuttle program. Space Shuttle Atlantis is to fly the 12-day mission that would carry the STS-135 four-person crew (the smallest of any shuttle mission since April 1983 on STS-6) and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) Raffaello and a Lightweight Multi-Purpose Carrier.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Space Shop is the world's largest store devoted entirely to space and NASA gifts, memorabilia, toys and collectibles. The commemorative merchandise and about 500 other space-related items are also available online at www.TheSpaceShop.com.
Here are a few of the commemorative items available:
Space Shuttle Atlantis Official Crew Photo
In honor of the upcoming launch, copies of the STS-135 Space Shuttle Atlantis Official Crew Photograph are available from The Space Shop. Pictured are NASA astronauts Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, and Mission Specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus. It sells for $5.99.
Atlantis Mission Silver Coin
This limited-edition collectors’ coin is a unique way to commemorate the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Crafted from .999 fine silver, the commemorative mission coin weighs one troy ounce and comes with a certificate of authenticity. It sells for $99.99.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Pin
In honor of the final scheduled NASA mission, The Space Shop is offering a collectible Space Shuttle Atlantis pin. It features an emblem of the shuttle inscribed with the mission number and the names of each crew member. It sells for $5.99.
Atlantis “I Was There” T-Shirt
One of several shirts available now at The Space Shop in honor of Space Shuttle Atlantis, this T-shirt features an image of the shuttle on the launch pad and the emblem of the mission along with the text “I Was There” and “The Grand Finale” as a fun way to commemorate witnessing this historic final launch. They sell for $14.99.
STS-135 Mission Program
For each of the final three space shuttle missions, a program was developed and printed to commemorate the mission. Only 16,000 of each were printed, with the STS-133 program for Discovery’s final mission in March now sold out. The shop has some remaining copies of the STS-134 program commemorating Endeavour’s final mission, which concluded June 1. The STS-135 program commemorating the final mission of Atlantis sells for $10.00.
Space Shuttle Atlantis Full-Stack Model
One of the best-selling items at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Space Shop, the highly-detailed Space Shuttle Atlantis model makes a great addition to any home or office collection. This hand-painted replica is crafted from resin in 1/200 scale and includes a stand for display. Endeavour and Discovery replicas are also available in addition to the featured Atlantis model. It sells for $99.99.
Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts operates the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, including The Space Shop, for NASA.