The NASA Ephemera collection contains NASA memorabilia and ephemera including photographs, patches, pins, and stickers. There are also mission charts, crew photographs, space news publications, and memorabilia and photographs, some signed, about the 1986 Challenger mission Space Transportation System (STS) 51L. These materials were primarily collected by Fred Mahan during his career with NASA. Researchers interested in NASA and space-related ephemera, memorabilia, and publications will find this collection useful. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the United States government's civilian agency responsible for space exploration, aeronautics research, and scientific discovery. Established on October 1, 1958, through the National Aeronautics and Space Act, NASA was created in response to growing national interest in space exploration during the Cold War. NASA has led numerous landmark programs, including the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Artemis programs.
