Space shuttle launched Statue of Liberty copper into orbit in 1985
15-inch copper Lady Liberty flew on Discovery — made from original 1875 statue material.
Deep Dive
In 1985, the space shuttle Discovery carried two 15-inch copper Statue of Liberty replicas made from copper removed during the full-size statue’s restoration. After the STS-51D mission, one was displayed and the other was melted into copper seals sold to the public. The article also notes that while older objects—like a 1611 Jamestown tag—have flown, they fall outside its focus on Americana from 1776 onward. It does not identify a single oldest American object in space.
Key Points
- Two 15-inch Statue of Liberty replicas, made from original 1875–1884 copper, flew on Discovery's STS-51D mission in 1985.
- One replica was displayed; the other was melted down into commemorative seals sold by the Statue of Liberty Centennial Commission.
- John Glenn flew a 1993 reprint of Thomas Jefferson's 1801 manual and a replica of Washington's 1777 flag — both reproductions, not originals.
Why It Matters
Highlights how space missions carry tangible links to America's earliest history, blending exploration of space with heritage.