Statue of Liberty Copper Shards Flown on Space Shuttle

Two miniature copper replicas of the Statue of Liberty were flown into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during mission STS-51D in April 1985. These 15-inch (38.1 cm) statues were crafted from copper removed from the full-size Statue of Liberty during its ongoing restoration at the time. The mission, Discovery's fourth flight, lasted for approximately one week.

Upon the completion of the STS-51D mission, one of the space-flown copper statues was put on public display. The second statue was melted down. The resulting copper was used to create commemorative seals, which were then offered for sale to the public. The sales were managed by the Statue of Liberty Ellis Island Centennial Commission, allowing individuals to own a piece of this unique space memorabilia. This event marked a distinct moment in the history of space exploration and national monuments.

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, underwent significant restoration efforts in the mid-1980s. The copper material used for the miniature statues represented a tangible connection between this iconic American symbol and the advancements of space travel. The decision to fly these replicas and subsequently distribute them as commemorative items highlights a creative approach to public engagement with both historical preservation and technological achievement.