NASA Space Shuttle Embedded Pen Blanks – Challenger

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).