US Space stamps year 1978 Joint issue US – Germany

US Space stamps year 1978 Joint issue US – Germany – ESA – NASA FDC

In 1978, a significant joint stamp issue was released by the United States, Germany, and the European Space Agency (ESA) to commemorate their collaborative efforts in space exploration. Here are the key details about this joint issue:

Overview of the Joint Issue

• Collaboration: This stamp series highlighted the partnership between NASA (the U.S. space agency), ESA, and the German space agency. It celebrated the shared goals in human spaceflight and scientific research.
• Design: The stamps featured designs that symbolized the cooperative spirit of international space missions. They were created to promote awareness of space exploration and the importance of collaboration among nations.
• Significance: The joint issue was particularly notable as it coincided with the preparations for the Spacelab program, which would allow for scientific experiments to be conducted in space aboard the Space Shuttle. This marked a pivotal moment in international space collaboration, as ESA’s Spacelab was designed to be flown on NASA’s Space Shuttle missions.

Historical Context

• Spacelab Program: The Spacelab was a reusable laboratory developed by ESA that would fly aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle. Its first mission was scheduled for 1983, making this stamp issue a precursor to that significant event.
• First ESA Astronauts: In 1978, ESA also selected its first astronauts, which included Ulf Merbold from Germany, who would later fly on the first Spacelab mission.

This joint stamp issue not only served as a commemorative item but also symbolized a new era of international cooperation in space exploration that would continue to evolve in subsequent decades.