From The Launch Pad - Space Flown Relics

NASA Apollo 11 blanks.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank. 
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Jr Series blanks are double tube set 12.5mm tubes and 10.5mm lower tubes

• Sierra Clone blanks are single 27/64" tubes

• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Apollo 11 was the American spaceflight that first landed humans on the Moon. Commander Neil Armstrong and lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the Apollo Lunar Module Eagle on July 20, 1969, and Armstrong became the first person to step onto the Moon's surface. Aldrin joined him, and they spent about two hours fifteen minutes together exploring the site they had named Tranquility Base upon landing. While Armstrong and Aldrin collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material to bring back to Earth, pilot Michael Collins flew the Command Module Columbia in lunar orbit. Armstrong and Aldrin were on the Moon's surface for 21 hours, 36 minutes before lifting off to rejoin Columbia.

Apollo 11 was launched by a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, FL, on July 16, and it was the fifth crewed mission of NASA's Apollo program. The Apollo spacecraft had three parts: a command module with a cabin for the three astronauts, the only part that returned to Earth; a service module, which supported the command module with propulsion, electrical power, oxygen, and water; and a two-stage lunar module — a descent stage for landing on the Moon and an ascent stage to move back into lunar orbit.

After traveling three days until they entered lunar orbit, Armstrong and Aldrin then moved into Eagle and landed in the Sea of Tranquility on July 20. The astronauts used Eagle's ascent stage to lift off from the lunar surface and rejoin Collins in the command module. The astronauts returned to Earth and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24 after more than eight days in space. The Apollo 11 space capsule was recovered by the USS Hornet (CV-12).

This piece of Kapton foil is from a larger section removed from the lunar lander prior to launch, due to a defect in a squib valve. To remove and replace the valve, some of the Kapton thermal blanket had to be removed and replaced. Since this piece was removed prior to launch, it did not fly in space or to the moon. It was an original part of the lunar lander, Eagle, and a fine artifact from the historic Apollo 11 mission.

USS Hornet (CV-12) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier built for the United States Navy (USN) during World War II. After service during both the Korean War and Vietnam War, Hornet was the recovery ship for the Apollo program for both the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 missions to the moon. She was eventually designated as both a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark, and she opened to the public as the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA, in 1998.

These blanks were crafted using materials from an original US Postage Stamp #479100 and original Kapton foil from the Apollo 11 lunar lander Eagle, and a wood relic from the deck of the USS Hornet (CV-12). The materials used are certified and distributed by Hardin Penworks, LLC. This material is guaranteed to be 100% Authentic.

NASA Space Shuttle Challenger Embedded Pen Blanks

NASA Space Shuttle Challenger space-flown double embedded material blanks for Jr Series, Sierra Clone, and Shuttle Kit (Wood Turningz), and custom order tube size blanks available as singles or sets.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Jr Series blanks are double tube set 12.5mm tubes and 10.5mm lower tubes

• Sierra Clone blanks are single 27/64" tubes

• Shuttle Kit blanks are for the Shuttle Kit from Wood Turningz single 10mm tube.

• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Space Shuttle Challenger materials:

Hardin Penworks, LLC, certifies that material supplied to the artisan of the accompanying hand-crafted item was sourced from the Space Shuttle Challenger, NASA’s Orbiter Vehicle OV-099.

The embedded space flown materials are foam tile from multiple shuttle missions and paperwork from the STS-8 mission. Challenger was used for numerous civilian satellite launches, and it also used to repair a malfunctioning telescope. On its 10th flight in January 1986, Challenger disintegrated 73 seconds after liftoff killing the crew of STS-51-L. An O-ring seal in one of the solid rocket boosters failed to contain pressurized burning gas that leaked out of the booster causing a structural failure of Challenger's external tank and the orbiter's subsequent disintegration.

During its three years of operation, Challenger was flown on 10 missions in the Space Shuttle program, spending over 62 days in space for a total of 1,496 hours. Completing 995 orbits around Earth, Challenger traveled 25,803,939 miles.

Material Vision & Turning Notes:

Challenger blanks feature authentic foam tile from multiple missions paired with original STS-8 paperwork, offering a unique mix of lightweight thermal protection material and historical flight documents. These embedded pieces turn beautifully with standard techniques—use light cuts to avoid chipping the foam while revealing the rich history within. Perfect for creating Jr Series, Sierra, or custom pens that honor the legacy of America’s space program.

Finish Recommendation:

For the ultimate mirror-like shine that highlights every detail of the space-flown materials, we recommend our Magic Juice Polishing Compound.

Space Shuttle history:

The Space Shuttle was the first operational orbital spacecraft designed for reuse. Each Shuttle was designed for a projected lifespan of 100 launches or ten years of operational life, although this was later extended.

Each Space Shuttle was a reusable launch system composed of three main assemblies: the reusable orbital vehicle (OV), the expendable ET, and the two reusable solid rocket boosters (SRB). Only the OV entered orbit shortly after the tank and boosters are jettisoned. The vehicle was launched vertically like a conventional rocket, and the orbiter glided to a horizontal landing like an airplane, after which it was refurbished for reuse. The SRBs parachuted to splashdown in the ocean where they were towed back to shore and refurbished for later Shuttle missions.

Five operational OVs were built: Columbia (OV-102), Challenger (OV-099), Discovery (OV-103), Atlantis (OV-104), and Endeavour (OV-105). A mock-up, Inspiration, currently stands at the entrance to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. An additional craft, Enterprise (OV-101), was built for atmospheric testing gliding and landing; it was originally intended to be outfitted for orbital operations after the test program, but it was found more economical to upgrade the structural test article STA-099 into orbiter Challenger (OV-099).

These blanks are embedded with a small piece of the original material from the aircraft. The piece is approximately 1/8” square/round in size. The embedded components are positioned over a starburst silhouette of the aircraft’s outline.

NASA Space Shuttle Columbia Embedded Pen Blanks

NASA Space Shuttle Columbia space-flown double embedded material blanks for Jr Series, Sierra Clone, and Shuttle Kit (Wood Turningz), and custom order tube size blanks available as singles or sets.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Jr Series blanks are double tube set 12.5mm tubes and 10.5mm lower tubes

• Sierra Clone blanks are single 27/64" tubes

• Shuttle Kit blanks are for the Shuttle Kit from Wood Turningz single 10mm tube.

• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Space Shuttle Columbia materials:

Hardin Penworks, LLC, certifies that material supplied to the artisan of the accompanying hand-crafted item was sourced from the Space Shuttle Columbia, NASA’s Orbiter Vehicle OV-102.

The embedded lower black material was sourced from a nose gear tire flown on the Columbia during mission STS-28. This mission was the 4th mission dedicated to the Department of Defense and the 8th flight of Columbia. The embedded upper cloth was sourced from the payload bay liner flown on Columbia during the 10-day STS-109 mission. This mission was the 108th mission of the shuttle program, the 27th of the orbiter Columbia, the 4th servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, and the last successful mission of the Columbia before the ill-fated STS-107 mission disaster in Feb. 2003.

During nearly 22 years of service, Columbia flew 28 missions, carried 207 crew members, orbited our Earth 4,808 times, traveled 125,204,911 miles, and spent 300 days, 17 hours, 40 minutes, and 22 seconds in space travel.

Material Vision & Turning Notes:

Columbia blanks showcase the deep black of a flown nose gear tire from STS-28 alongside the textured payload bay liner cloth from the historic STS-109 Hubble servicing mission. The combination delivers striking visual depth and tactile contrast that polishes to a stunning finish. These blanks respond well to sharp tools and light passes, making them ideal for Jr Series, Sierra, or custom shuttle-themed pens destined to spark stories of exploration and resilience.

Finish Recommendation:

For the ultimate mirror-like shine that highlights every detail of the space-flown materials, we recommend our Magic Juice Polishing Compound.

Space Shuttle history:

The Space Shuttle was the first operational orbital spacecraft designed for reuse. Each Shuttle was designed for a projected lifespan of 100 launches or ten years of operational life, although this was later extended.

Each Space Shuttle was a reusable launch system composed of three main assemblies: the reusable orbital vehicle (OV), the expendable ET, and the two reusable solid rocket boosters (SRB). Only the OV entered orbit shortly after the tank and boosters are jettisoned. The vehicle was launched vertically like a conventional rocket, and the orbiter glided to a horizontal landing like an airplane, after which it was refurbished for reuse. The SRBs parachuted to splashdown in the ocean where they were towed back to shore and refurbished for later Shuttle missions.

Five operational OVs were built: Columbia (OV-102), Challenger (OV-099), Discovery (OV-103), Atlantis (OV-104), and Endeavour (OV-105). A mock-up, Inspiration, currently stands at the entrance to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. An additional craft, Enterprise (OV-101), was built for atmospheric testing gliding and landing; it was originally intended to be outfitted for orbital operations after the test program, but it was found more economical to upgrade the structural test article STA-099 into orbiter Challenger (OV-099).

These blanks are embedded with a small piece of the original material from the aircraft. The piece is approximately 1/8” square/round in size. The embedded components are positioned over a starburst silhouette of the aircraft’s outline.

NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour Embedded Pen Blanks

NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour space-flown double embedded material blanks for Jr Series, Sierra Clone, and Shuttle Kit (Wood Turningz), and custom order tube size blanks available as singles or sets.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Jr Series blanks are double tube set 12.5mm tubes and 10.5mm lower tubes

• Sierra Clone blanks are single 27/64" tubes

• Shuttle Kit blanks are for the Shuttle Kit from Wood Turningz single 10mm tube.

• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Space Shuttle Endeavour materials:

Hardin Penworks, LLC, certifies that material supplied to the artisan of the accompanying hand-crafted item was sourced from the Space Shuttle Endeavour, NASA’s Orbiter Vehicle OV-105.

The embedded upper foil was sourced from an insulating blanket flown on the Endeavour during the 10-day STS-77 mission. This mission was the 11th flight of the Endeavour and the 77th mission of the Space Shuttle program. During the orbiter’s flight, the Endeavor crew performed microgravity research aboard the commercially owned and operated SPACEHAB module. The mission also deployed and retrieved the Spartan-207/IAE satellite and rendezvoused with a test satellite. The lower embedded material is foam tile from multiple shuttle missions.

During nearly 19 years of service, the Endeavour flew 25 missions, carried 173 crew members, orbited our Earth 4,671 times, traveled 122,883,151 miles, and spent 296 days, 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 2 seconds in space travel.

Material Vision & Turning Notes:

Endeavour blanks combine insulating blanket foil from the STS-77 microgravity research mission with foam tile from across the program, producing a beautiful interplay of metallic sheen and lightweight thermal material. These respond excellently to standard turning methods with feather-light passes to protect the delicate embedded elements. Turn them into standout Jr Series, Sierra, or custom pens that celebrate one of NASA’s most versatile orbiters.

Finish Recommendation:

For the ultimate mirror-like shine that highlights every detail of the space-flown materials, we recommend our Magic Juice Polishing Compound.

Space Shuttle history:

The Space Shuttle was the first operational orbital spacecraft designed for reuse. Each Shuttle was designed for a projected lifespan of 100 launches or ten years of operational life, although this was later extended.

Each Space Shuttle was a reusable launch system composed of three main assemblies: the reusable orbital vehicle (OV), the expendable ET, and the two reusable solid rocket boosters (SRB). Only the OV entered orbit shortly after the tank and boosters are jettisoned. The vehicle was launched vertically like a conventional rocket, and the orbiter glided to a horizontal landing like an airplane, after which it was refurbished for reuse. The SRBs parachuted to splashdown in the ocean where they were towed back to shore and refurbished for later Shuttle missions.

Five operational OVs were built: Columbia (OV-102), Challenger (OV-099), Discovery (OV-103), Atlantis (OV-104), and Endeavour (OV-105). A mock-up, Inspiration, currently stands at the entrance to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. An additional craft, Enterprise (OV-101), was built for atmospheric testing gliding and landing; it was originally intended to be outfitted for orbital operations after the test program, but it was found more economical to upgrade the structural test article STA-099 into orbiter Challenger (OV-099).

These blanks are embedded with a small piece of the original material from the aircraft. The piece is approximately 1/8” square/round in size. The embedded components are positioned over a starburst silhouette of the aircraft’s outline.

NASA Space Shuttle Discovery Embedded Pen Blanks

NASA Space Shuttle Discovery space-flown double embedded material blanks for Jr Series, Sierra Clone, and Shuttle Kit (Wood Turningz), and custom order tube size blanks available as singles or sets.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Jr Series blanks are double tube set 12.5mm tubes and 10.5mm lower tubes

• Sierra Clone blanks are single 27/64" tubes

• Shuttle Kit blanks are for the Shuttle Kit from Wood Turningz single 10mm tube.

• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Space Shuttle Discovery materials:

Hardin Penworks, LLC, certifies that material supplied to the artisan of the accompanying hand-crafted item was sourced from the Space Shuttle Discovery, NASA’s Orbiter Vehicle OV-103.

The embedded upper cloth was sourced from the payload bay liner flown on the Discovery during the 7-day STS-82 mission. This mission was the 22nd flight of the Discovery and the 82nd mission of the Space Shuttle program. It was the second mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The crew repaired and upgraded the telescope's scientific instruments, increasing its research capabilities and achieved the highest altitude ever attained by an STS Orbiter, 335 nautical miles. The embedded lower red material is from the payload bay door seal of multiple STS missions.

During nearly 27 years of service, the Discovery flew 39 missions, carried 252 crew members, orbited our Earth 4,808 times, traveled 148,221,675 miles, and spent 365 days, 22 hours, 39 minutes, and 33 seconds in space travel.

Material Vision & Turning Notes:

Discovery blanks pair the woven payload bay liner cloth from the record-setting STS-82 Hubble servicing mission with rich red material from multiple payload bay door seals. The layered textures and vibrant color accents create bold, eye-catching pens once turned and polished. Light, controlled cuts preserve the integrity of the aerospace materials, making these excellent choices for Jr Series, Sierra, or custom builds.

Finish Recommendation:

For the ultimate mirror-like shine that highlights every detail of the space-flown materials, we recommend our Magic Juice Polishing Compound.

Space Shuttle history:

The Space Shuttle was the first operational orbital spacecraft designed for reuse. Each Shuttle was designed for a projected lifespan of 100 launches or ten years of operational life, although this was later extended.

Each Space Shuttle was a reusable launch system composed of three main assemblies: the reusable orbital vehicle (OV), the expendable ET, and the two reusable solid rocket boosters (SRB). Only the OV entered orbit shortly after the tank and boosters are jettisoned. The vehicle was launched vertically like a conventional rocket, and the orbiter glided to a horizontal landing like an airplane, after which it was refurbished for reuse. The SRBs parachuted to splashdown in the ocean where they were towed back to shore and refurbished for later Shuttle missions.

Five operational OVs were built: Columbia (OV-102), Challenger (OV-099), Discovery (OV-103), Atlantis (OV-104), and Endeavour (OV-105). A mock-up, Inspiration, currently stands at the entrance to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. An additional craft, Enterprise (OV-101), was built for atmospheric testing gliding and landing; it was originally intended to be outfitted for orbital operations after the test program, but it was found more economical to upgrade the structural test article STA-099 into orbiter Challenger (OV-099).

These blanks are embedded with a small piece of the original material from the aircraft. The piece is approximately 1/8” square/round in size. The embedded components are positioned over a starburst silhouette of the aircraft’s outline.

NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Embedded Pen Blanks

NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis space-flown double embedded material blanks for Jr Series, Sierra Clone, and Shuttle Kit (Wood Turningz), and custom order tube size blanks available as singles or sets. Explore more embedded blanks and sibling shuttle collections.

All blanks will come with one COA per blank.
COAs are 4" x 6" card stock with foil COA seal. See our full COA blanks selection.

Blank Tube Size Descriptions:

• Jr Series blanks are double tube set 12.5mm tubes and 10.5mm lower tubes

• Sierra Clone blanks are single 27/64" tubes — pair with compatible pen component sets

• Shuttle Kit blanks are for the Shuttle Kit from Wood Turningz single 10mm tube.

• Custom single Tube or Double Tube Sets available. (Two Week Delivery) Specify tube size needed in notes at check out.

Browse all pen blanks or what's new arrivals.

Space Shuttle Atlantis materials:

Hardin Collectibles, LLC, certifies that material supplied to the artisan of the accompanying hand-crafted item was sourced from the Space Shuttle Atlantis, NASA’s Orbiter Vehicle OV-104.

The embedded lower black material was sourced from a nose gear tire flown on the Atlantis during mission STS-27. This mission was the third flight of Atlantis launching on December 2, 1988 on a four-day mission where it carried a classified payload for the Department of Defense. The embedded upper foil was sourced from the Thermal Control System Blanket flown on the Atlantis during the STS-86 mission to the Mir space station for the seventh MIR docking mission.

During nearly 26 years of service from 1985 to 2011, the Atlantis flew 33 missions, carried 207 crew members, orbited our Earth 4,848 times, traveled 125,935,769 miles, and spent 306 days, 14 hours, 12 minutes, and 43 seconds in space travel. Discover more aviation relics and military relics.

Material Vision & Turning Notes:

Atlantis blanks combine the rugged texture of flown nose gear tire rubber with the reflective thermal blanket foil layers, creating dramatic contrast once polished. The materials accept standard woodturning techniques yet reward careful, light passes to preserve the embedded aerospace fibers. Turn these blanks into Jr Series, Sierra, or custom shuttle-style pens that become conversation pieces at any aviation event. Display finished work on pen display stands & COA holders.

Finish Recommendation:

For the ultimate mirror-like shine that highlights every detail of the space-flown materials, we recommend our Magic Juice Polishing Compound.

Space Shuttle Atlantis Service History

The Space Shuttle Atlantis stands as one of NASA’s most accomplished orbiters, logging an extraordinary record of scientific achievement, international cooperation, and defense support across 33 missions. Built by Rockwell International in Palmdale, California, Atlantis rolled out in 1985 as the fourth operational orbiter after Columbia, Challenger, and Discovery. Its name honors the two-masted steam-powered research vessel that operated for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution from 1930 to 1966. The orbiter’s design incorporated lessons from earlier flights, featuring reinforced thermal protection tiles and upgraded avionics that supported its long service life.

Atlantis launched on its maiden voyage, STS-51-J, on 3 October 1985, deploying classified Department of Defense payloads. Early missions emphasized satellite deployment and retrieval, including the Galileo probe to Jupiter in 1989 and the Magellan Venus radar mapper. The orbiter’s robust airframe and upgraded systems allowed it to support longer-duration flights and complex rendezvous operations. These early successes demonstrated the reliability of the reusable spacecraft concept and paved the way for more ambitious scientific and exploration goals.

During the 1990s Atlantis became synonymous with the Russian Mir space station. It flew seven docking missions between 1995 and 1997, delivering supplies, rotating crews, and conducting joint experiments. STS-71 marked the first U.S.-Russian shuttle docking, while STS-86 delivered the final Mir crew rotation before the station’s decommissioning. The thermal control system blankets that supplied the foil embedded in these pen blanks flew on STS-86, protecting critical avionics from extreme temperature swings in low-Earth orbit. Each docking required precise navigation and highlighted international collaboration in space.

Atlantis also flew several Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions and numerous Spacelab and Spacehab research flights. Its payload bay hosted the Wake Shield Facility, the Wake Vortex experiment, and multiple biotechnology and materials science investigations. The orbiter’s final flight, STS-135, delivered the Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module to the International Space Station in July 2011, closing the Space Shuttle program. Throughout its career the vehicle underwent multiple orbiter maintenance down periods that extended its operational capability far beyond original projections.

Over its career Atlantis traveled more than 125 million miles, completed 4,848 orbits, and spent 306 days in space. It carried 207 individual astronauts representing NASA, ESA, RSA, JAXA, and CSA. Post-retirement, Atlantis was prepared for public display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where it remains a centerpiece of the Atlantis exhibit, inspiring new generations of makers and engineers. The vehicle’s structural integrity after decades of launches and reentries continues to impress aerospace historians and enthusiasts alike.

Enthusiasts prize Atlantis material for its direct connection to human spaceflight milestones. The nose-gear tire rubber from STS-27 embodies the rugged engineering required for classified defense missions, while the foil layers from STS-86 represent the thermal protection systems that enabled safe return from orbit. When turned and polished, these relics produce pens that carry authentic aerospace provenance and spark conversations about exploration, craftsmanship, and the reusable spacecraft era. Additional military and naval relic options are available in our US Navy ship wood collection. The orbiter’s legacy also includes contributions to the assembly of the International Space Station through multiple logistics flights that delivered critical modules and supplies, underscoring its role in advancing long-term human presence in space. Engineers and historians continue to study Atlantis’s flight data to inform next-generation reusable vehicles, ensuring its influence extends well beyond its final landing. Atlantis completed its final landing on 21 July 2011 at Kennedy Space Center, marking the end of the shuttle program while preserving irreplaceable hardware for future study and public inspiration.

No finished pens are included. Pen components sold separately from our pen kits or your preferred vendors.

These blanks are embedded with a small piece of the original material from the aircraft. The piece is approximately 1/8” square/round in size. The embedded components are positioned over a starburst silhouette of the aircraft’s outline.