Space Shuttle Endeavour - Flown Thermal Blanket

Above: Front of the Specimen Card The Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105) was the final of the orbiters to be built, replacing the Challenger shuttle. Named for Captain James Cook’s HMS Endeavour, the shuttle’s career included the first repair mission for the Hubble Space Telescope and the addition of the Unity Module to the ISS, the first American addition to the space station. The Endeavour also flew Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. This specimen is a piece of insulation blanket that was part of Endeavour’s Thermal Control System. The TCS helped the ship withstand the extreme increase in temperatures during atmospheric reentry and the TCS blanket was applied to the inside of the shuttle to protect internal components and systems. Softgoods such as the blanket were a simple and efficient way to provide lightweight insulation to delicate items. NASA disposition paperwork received with this item indicates this particular blanket was removed after STS-99 which flew o