Materials from the Postmaster General's Collection

Space Stamps–Satellites

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Satellite launch, 1999, Scott 3187d, Engraving and lithography

Among the more enduring daily benefits of the space age are the Earth-orbiting artificial satellites used for communications, collection of weather and climate information, and more. The first satellite to appear on a U.S. postage stamp was Echo 1, launched in August 1960. Echo 1, a large metallized balloon, inflated to 100 feet in diameter and passively reflected radio signals. Perhaps the most popular satellite stamp subject is the Hubble Space Telescope, a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency launched in 1990.

 

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Echo 1 communications satellite, 1960, Scott 1173, Engraving
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Transmission of Mailgrams, 1975, Scott 1575, Gravure
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Landsat orbiting the Earth, 1991, Scott 2570, Gravure