MotoArt Genuine NASA MLP-2 Space Shuttle Limited Edition Planetag

Description

OWN A PIECE OF ROCKET BLASTED METAL!!!
We have liftoff! Introducing the NASA MLP-2 collectible from MotoArt, created from the actual Mobile Launch Platform that connected mankind to the cosmos. These PlaneTags are made from the Tail Service Masts, the last connection between the Space Shuttle and earth.
This unique PlaneTag is more of a SpaceTag, but then again it never left earth. It just happened to be on hand for some of the most historic space launches of the 20th century. In fact, it launched the maiden voyage of every Space Shuttle (except Columbia) and launched several Apollo lunar missions and Skylab.
These special edition 1/2 inch hardened steel PlaneTags are numbered and limited 20,000 pieces. They are individually cut, polished and etched, then attached to an aluminum display card with a strong earth magnet. Although they can’t be used as a luggage tag or custom engraved, they are a beautiful memento of the United States’ space program of the 20th century and will make an incredible, one-of-a-kind collectible for any NASA or aerospace collector.
We have several of these available. All are still in the original box with the actual MLP-2 SpaceTag still protectively wrapped and sealed. Because they are still taped, we do not know the serial numbers of any of them. The photos of the MLP-2 SpaceTag shown here are for representative purposes only.
NASA's Mobile Launchers were initially developed in 1963 to support the Apollo program, then later modified for the Space Shuttle program and rechristened Mobile Launch Platforms (MLP). These massive two-story structures supported Saturn V rockets, and later the Space Shuttle stack during the build-up and launch stages. The 6 million pound structure could support an additional 12 million pounds during assembly before being transported to launch complex 39. Once positioned, the MLP served as the actual launch platform.
The Tail Service Masts (TSM) were two large structures on both sides of the Shuttle main engine exhaust hole.
They were 15 feet long, 9 feet wide, and rose 31 feet above the MLP deck. They also housed six hydrogen burnoff pre-igniters, which were activated right before main engine ignition to ignite any free hydrogen that might cause rough combustion at the engine start.
The TSMs provided umbilical connections to the shuttle orbiter, feeding propellants from the launch pad tanks, as well as helium and nitrogen, purge air, electrical power, and comm links. The umbilicals rapidly retracted into the TSM at launch and were protected from the flames by trap blast doors. The TSMs were literally the last thing to touch the Space Shuttle before its ascension.
As Mobile Launcher-2 (ML-2) it launched the uncrewed Apollo 6 mission, followed by the crewed 9th, 12th, and 14th missions, and finally Skylab aboard a Saturn V in 1973. Read more about it on
our blog
.
As Mobile Launch Platform-2 (MLP-2
):
Used for 44 Space Shuttle launches, beginning in 1983
Every orbiter, except for
Columbia
, launched on their maiden flights from MLP-2
Launch pad for Space Shuttle
Challenger's
final flight
100% of the proceeds from the sale of these SpaceTags benefit RocketSTEM, a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting STEM education and inspiring the next generation of explorers.