Space Astronaut Autographs

From Sally Ride to Scott Kelly, the great astronauts of the last half century reflect the remarkable scientific advances of the age. They also reveal a remarkable level of valor, as they embody the bravery necessary to take giant steps for mankind.

The first class of astronauts in training was inducted in 1959 as the United States was preparing to orbit the Earth for the first time. The initial class consisted of seven exceptional candidates, among them the longstanding figure of John Glenn. As time went on, additional initiates were added into the stringent training program, which even today still takes years to complete.

Since the advent of the space program, astronauts have witnessed their share of triumphs and tragedies from the moon landing to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Throughout the space program's history, the acclaim for astronauts has escalated. For many collectors, an astronaut's autograph is the closest they'll get to space travel.

Quick Facts

• Katherine Sullivan's October 11, 1984 moon walk was the first by a female astronaut
• NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• American astronaut and commander of the International Space Station Scott Kelly holds the record for most number of days in space at more than an entire calendar year