Below is my collection of Australian space covers, mainly from the 1960s / 1970s / 1980s. I do have some swaps/spares so contact me if you’d like to find out more !
🚀🚀🚀 Click here to see my separate page on early Australian rocket mail 🚀🚀🚀
★☆★☆★☆ Click here to see my separate page on Arthur Bergen space covers ☆★☆★☆★
Categories (click on a category below to view covers)
| Rocket Launches | Missions, Tracking Stations, etc |
|---|---|
| Aerobee | |
| Aero High | |
| Black Arrow | Mercury |
| Black Brant | Gemini 3 – (23 MAR 1965) – Grissom/Young Gemini 4 – (3-7 JUN 1965) – McDivitt/White Gemini 5 – (21-29 AUG 1965) – Cooper/Conrad Gemini 6A – (15-16 DEC 1965) – Schirra/Stafford Gemini 7 – (4-18 DEC 1965) – Borman/Lovell Gemini 8 – (16-17 MAR 1966) – Armstrong/Scott Gemini 9A – (3-6 JUN 1966) – Stafford/Cernan Gemini 10 – (18-21 JUL 1966) – Young/Collins Gemini 11 – (12-15 SEP 1966) – Conrad/Gordon Gemini 12 – (11-15 NOV 1966) – Lovell/Aldrin |
| ELDO F1 – (5 JUN 1964) ELDO F2 – (20 OCT 1964) ELDO F3 – (22 MAR 1965) ELDO F4 – (24 MAY 1966) ELDO F5 – (15 NOV 1966) ELDO F6/1 – (4 AUG 1967) ELDO F6/2 – (6 DEC 1967) ELDO F7 – (30 NOV 1968) ELDO F8 – (3 JUL 1969) ELDO F9 – (12 JUN 1970) |
Apollo 4 – (9 NOV 1967) Apollo 5 – (22 JAN 1968) Apollo 6 – (4 APR 1968) Apollo 7 – (11-22 OCT 1968) – Schirra/Eisele/Cunningham Apollo 8 – (21-27 DEC 1968) – Borman/Lovell/Anders Apollo 9 – (3-13 MAR 1969) – McDivitt/Scott/Schweickart Apollo 10 – (18-26 MAY 1969) – Stafford/Young/Cernan Apollo 11 – (16-24 JUL 1969) – Armstrong/Collins/Aldrin Apollo 12 – (14-24 NOV 1969) – Conrad/Gordon/Bean Apollo 13 – (11-17 APR 1970) – Lovell/Swigert/Haise Apollo 14 – (31 JAN – 9 FEB 1971) – Shepard/Roosa/Mitchell Apollo 15 – (26 JUL – 7 AUG 1971) – Scott/Worden/Irwin Apollo 16 – (16-27 APR 1972) – Young/Mattingly/Duke Apollo 17 – (7-19 DEC 1972) – Cernan/Evans/Schmitt |
| Falstaff | |
| H.A.D. / H.A.T. | Mariner |
| H.A.S.P. | Pioneer |
| Lorikeet | Shuttle |
| Skylark | Skylab |
| Project SPARTA | ASTP (Apollo-Soyuz) |
| Turana | Viking |
| U.A.R. Cockatoo | Voyager |
| U.A.R. Kookaburra | |
| U.A.R. Other | Miscellaneous |
| Wresat | Scientific Balloons |
Aerobee | Back to Categories
Aero High | Back to Categories
Black Arrow | Back to Categories
Black Arrow R0 (28 JUN 1969):
Black Arrow R1 (4 MAR 1970):
Black Arrow R2 (2 SEP 1970):
Black Arrow R3 / Prospero Satellite (28 OCT 1971):
Black Brant Rocket | Back to Categories
ELDO F1 (5 JUN 1964) | Back to Categories
ELDO F2 (20 OCT 1964) | Back to Categories
ELDO F3 (22 MAR 1965) | Back to Categories
ELDO F4 (24 MAY 1966) | Back to Categories
ELDO F5 (15 NOV 1966) | Back to Categories
ELDO F6/1 (4 AUG 1967) | Back to Categories
ELDO F6/2 (6 DEC 1967) | Back to Categories
ELDO F7 (30 NOV 1968) | Back to Categories
ELDO F8 (3 JUL 1969) | Back to Categories
ELDO F9 (12 JUN 1970) | Back to Categories
ELDO / Combination Launch Covers:
Falstaff | Back to Categories
H.A.D. / H.A.T. | Back to Categories
H.A.S.P. | Back to Categories
Lorikeet | Back to Categories
Skylark | Back to Categories
SL422A:
SL403:
SL781:
SL502 / SL724 & SL604 / SL606 (?):
SL861:
SL862:
UNKNOWN:
SL802:
SL727:
SL971:
SL811:
SL972:
SL1021:
SL1021:
SL904:
SL1001:
The cover above (with no impression) & below-left (cover number 0) are perhaps printing trials ?
UNKNOWN:
UNKNOWN:
SL922:
SL812-A:
SL812-B:
SL902:
SL1002:
SL973(?):
SL1101:
SL903:
SL1023:
SL1081:
SL1022:
SL402:
SL1003:
S-95:
SL1202:
SL1005:
SL1205:
SL1010:
SL1004:
SL1102:
SL1011:
SL1111:
SL1203:
SL1207:
S98 Helios-A:
SL1112:
SL1203:
SL1115:
SL1501:
SL1212:
SL1815:
SL1115:
SL1114(?):
SL1115A:
UNKNOWN:
SL CC10:
Project SPARTA | Back to Categories
Project SPARTA was a collaborative effort involving the US, UK, and Australia in 1966/1967. The initiative utilized American Redstone rockets to test re-entry vehicles for antimissile research, building upon prior programs such as Gaslight and Dazzle, and it was effectively a successor to Black Knight. Ten Redstone rockets were allocated for use, each comprising a Redstone first stage and smaller solid fuel upper stage designed to propel payloads to higher altitudes for comprehensive re-entry tests. These Redstone rockets, initially developed as ballistic missiles, had seen prior success in other missions, notably the Project Mercury suborbital test flights including sending Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom into space.
The American contribution to SPARTA included providing the Redstone launch vehicles, associated facilities, and support teams. The Australian Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) played a pivotal role in operating the Woomera range, managing test equipment, and processing a portion of the test data. The UK’s Ministry of Aviation continued its support, building on studies initiated during Gaslight and Dazzle. The prime contractor for the SPARTA launch system was TRW Systems Group, overseeing various subcontractors to ensure efficient operations.
The initial nine SPARTA launches were conducted successfully, providing valuable insights into the behavior of model warheads during re-entry. The reliability and success of these launches paved the way for the subsequent utilization of a spare Redstone rocket for launching Australia’s first satellite (WRESAT) in November 1967, on the 10th and final Project SPARTA rocket launch.
SPARTA 1 (28 NOV 1966):
SPARTA 2 (14 DEC 1966):
SPARTA 3 (20 APR 1967):
SPARTA 4 (5 JUL 1967):
SPARTA 5 (25 JUL 1967):
SPARTA 6 (18 AUG 1967):
SPARTA 7 (16 SEP 1967):
SPARTA 8 (12 OCT 1967):
SPARTA 9 (1 NOV 1967):
SPARTA 10 (29 NOV 1967):
[See ‘WRESAT‘ launch for SPARTA 10 covers]
Turana | Back to Categories
U.A.R. Cockatoo Sonde | Back to Categories
U.A.R. Kookaburra Sonde | Back to Categories
U.A.R. Other | Back to Categories
Wresat | Back to Categories
On 29th Nov 1967, Australia launched its first satellite WRESAT (Weapons Research Establishment Satellite) from the Woomera Rocket Range in South Australia. The WRESAT project was made possible by the donation of a launch vehicle from an American-led research program being conducted at Woomera. The satellite was designed, constructed and launched in just 11 months in a collaboration between scientists at the Weapons Research Establishment (Salisbury) and the University of Adelaide. Conical in shape, WRESAT had a maximum base diameter of 76 centimetres and a total length of 2.2 metres, including the third stage motor to which it was attached. Together, the satellite and motor weighed 72.6 kilograms. WRESAT was battery-powered and during it’s 5 days of operation, gathered a large amount of data on upper-atmospheric conditions. WRESAT remained in orbit until 10 January 1968. This launch was also the tenth Project SPARTA launch.
Mercury | Back to Categories
Project Mercury MA-9 / Gordon Cooper (15-16 MAY 1963):
Gemini | Back to Categories
Below are some examples from my collection of Australian ‘Tracking Station’ covers from the early Gemini missions, starting with the first crewed flight Gemini 3 (GT-3). A NASA astronaut was sometimes present in Carnarvon WA for these missions. In fact Pete Conrad was the CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator) for GT-3. He went on to fly in both Gemini 5 & Gemini 11, and of course walked on the moon with Apollo 12. Astronaut Dave Scott was in Carnarvon for GT-4, then later flew with Gemini 8, Apollo 9, and walked on the moon as a member of Apollo 15. Both these astronauts signed covers in Australia, as can be seen below, and the CAPCOM also signed covers in some cases.
| MISSION | CODE | DATE | CARNARVON CAPCOM | ASTRONAUTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini 3 | GT-3 | 23 MAR 65 | Charles 'Pete' Conrad / (Danny Hunter) | Gus Grissom / John Young |
| Gemini 4 | GT-4 | 4-8 JUN 65 | Ed Fendell | Jim McDivitt / Ed White |
| Gemini 5 | GT-5 | 21-29 AUG 65 | Charles 'Chuck' Lewis | Gordon Cooper / Pete Conrad |
| Gemini 6 | GT-6 | 15-16 DEC 65 | Bill Garvin / Harold Draughon | Wally Schirra / Tom Stafford |
| Gemini 7 | GT-7 | 4-18 DEC 65 | Bill Garvin / AS Davis / Keith Kundel | Frank Borman / Jim Lovell |
| Gemini 8 | GT-8 | 16-17 MAR 66 | Ed Fendell / AS Davis / Keith Kundel | Neil Armstrong / Dave Scott |
| Gemini 9 | GT-9 | 3-6 JUN 66 | Bill Garvin / Brizzolara | Tom Stafford / Gene Cernan |
| Gemini 10 | GT-10 | 18-21 JUL 66 | Jim Fucci | John Young / Michael Collins |
| Gemini 11 | GT-11 | 12-15 SEP 66 | Bill Garvin | Pete Conrad / Richard Gordon |
| Gemini 12 | GT-12 | 11-15 NOV 66 | Jim Fucci | Jim Lovell / Buzz Aldrin |
Gemini 3 (23 MAR 1965) – Gus Grissom and John Young | Back to Categories
Gemini 4 (3-7 JUN 1965) – James McDivitt and Ed White | Back to Categories
Gemini 5 (21-29 AUG 1965) – Gordon Cooper and Charles ‘Pete’ Conrad | Back to Categories
Gemini 4/5:
Gemini 6A (15-16 DEC 1965) – Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford | Back to Categories
Gemini 7 (4-18 DEC 1965) – Frank Borman and Jim Lovell | Back to Categories
Gemini 8 (16-17 MAR 1966) – Neil Armstrong and David Scott | Back to Categories
Gemini 9A (3-6 JUN 1966) – Thomas Stafford and Gene Cernan | Back to Categories
Gemini 10 (18-21 JUL 1966) – John Young and Michael Collins | Back to Categories
Gemini 11 (12-15 SEP 1966) – Charles ‘Pete’ Conrad and Richard Gordon | Back to Categories
Gemini 12 (11-15 NOV 1966) – Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin | Back to Categories
Apollo 4 (9 NOV 1967) | Back to Categories
Apollo 5 (22 JAN 1968) | Back to Categories
Apollo 6 (4 APR 1968) | Back to Categories
Apollo 7 (11-22 OCT 1968) – Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, Walter Cunningham | Back to Categories
Apollo 8 (21-27 DEC 1968) – Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, William Anders | Back to Categories
Apollo 9 (3-13 MAR 1969) – Jim McDivitt, Dave Scott, Rusty Schweickart | Back to Categories
Apollo 10 (18-26 MAY 1969) – Tom Stafford, John Young, Gene Cernan | Back to Categories
Apollo 11 (16-24 JUL 1969) – Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin | Back to Categories
Apollo 12 (14-24 NOV 1969) – Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, Alan Bean | Back to Categories
Apollo 13 (11-17 APR 1970) – Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, Fred Haise | Back to Categories
Apollo 14 (31 JAN – 9 FEB 1971) – Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, Edgar Mitchell | Back to Categories
Apollo 15 (26 JUL – 7 AUG 1971) – Dave Scott, Alfred Worden, Jim Irwin | Back to Categories
Apollo 16 (16-27 APR 1972) – John Young, Ken Mattingly, Charlie Duke | Back to Categories
Apollo 17 (7-19 DEC 1972) – Gene Cernan, Ron Evans, Harrison Schmitt | Back to Categories
Scientific Balloon Missions | Back to Categories
HIBAL Balloon Flights in Mildura VIC & Longreach QLD:
Biosatellite 3 (29 JUN 1969) – Bonny the Monkey:
Mariner Missions | Back to Categories
Mariner 5:
Mariner 9:
Mariner 10:
Pioneer Missions | Back to Categories
Shuttle Missions | Back to Categories
STS-1 Mission – 12th Apr 1981 (Launch) to 14th April 1981 (Landing):
STS-2 Mission – 12th Nov 1981 (Launch) to 14th Nov 1981 (Landing):
STS-3 Mission – 22nd Mar 1982 (Launch) to 30th Mar 1982 (Landing):
STS-4 Mission – 27th Jun 1982 (Launch) to 4th Jul 1982 (Landing):
STS-5 Mission – 11th Nov 1982 (Launch) to 16th Nov 1982 (Landing):
STS-6 Mission – 4th Apr 1983 (Launch) to 9th Apr 1983 (Landing):
STS-7 Mission – 18th Jun 1983 (Launch) to 24th Jun (Landing):
STS-8 Mission – 30th Aug 1983 (Launch) to 5th Sep 1983 (Landing):
STS-9 Mission – 28 Nov 1983 (Launch) to 8 Dec 1983 (Landing):
STS-41-B Mission – 3rd Feb 1984 (Launch) to 11th Feb 1984 (Landing):
STS-41-C Mission – 6th Apr 1984 (Launch) to 13th Apr 1984 (Landing):
STS-41-D Mission – 30th Aug 1984 (Launch) to 5th Sept 1984 (Landing):
STS-51-A Mission – 8th Nov 1984 (Launch) to 16th Nov 1984 (Landing):
STS-51-B Mission – 29th Apr 1985 (Launch) to 6th May 1985 (Landing):
STS-51-I Mission – 27th Aug 1985 (Launch) to 3rd Sep 1985 (Landing);
STS-51-I Mission / Australian ‘Aussat’ Satellite Launch – 28th Aug 1985:
STS-51-L ‘Challenger Disaster’ – 29th Jan 1986:
STS-26 Mission – 29th Sept 1988 (Launch) to 3rd Oct 1988 (Landing):
STS-27 Mission – 2nd Dec 1988 (Launch) to 6th Dec 1988 (Landing):
STS-29 Mission – 13th Mar 1989 (Launch) to 18th Mar 1989 (Landing):
STS-30 Mission – 4th May 1989 (Launch) to 8th May 1989 (Landing):
STS-28 Mission – 8th Aug 1989 (Launch) to 13th Aug 1989 (Landing):
STS-33 Mission – 22nd Nov 1989 (Launch) to 28th Nov 1989 (Landing):
STS-32 Mission – 9th Jan 1990 (Launch) to 20th Jan 1990 (Landing);
STS-36 Mission – 28th Feb 1990 (Launch) to 4th Mar 1990 (Landing);
STS-31 Mission – 24th Apr 1990 (Launch) to 29th Apr 1990 (Landing):
STS-35 Mission – 2nd Dec 1990 (Launch) to 11th Dec 1990 (Landing):
STS-45 Mission – 24th Mar 1992 (Launch) to 2nd Apr 1992 (Landing):
STS-49 Mission – 7th May 1992 (Launch) to 16th May 1992 (Landing):
STS-50 Mission – 25th Jun 1992 (Launch) to 9th Jul 1992 (Landing):
STS-46 Mission – 31st Jul 1992 (Launch) to 8th Aug 1992 (Landing):
STS-47 Mission – 12th Sep 1992 (Launch) to 20th Sep 1992 (Landing):
STS-54 Mission – 13th Jan 1993 (Launch) to 19th Jan 1993 (Landing):
STS-88 Mission – 4th Dec 1998 (Launch) to 16th Dec 1988 (Landing):
STS-96 Mission – 27th May 1999 (Launch) to 6th Jun 1999 (Landing):
STS-101 Mission – 19th May 2000 (Launch) to 29th May 2000 (Landing):
STS-106 Mission – 8th Sep 2000 (Launch) to 20th Sep 2000 (Landing):
STS-97 Mission – 1st Dec 2000 (Launch) to 11th Dec 2000 (Landing):
STS-98 Mission – 7th Feb 2001 (Launch) to 20th Feb 2001 (Landing):
STS-102 Mission – 8th Mar 2001 (Launch) to 21st Mar 2001 (Landing):
STS-100 Mission – 19th Apr 2001 (Launch) to 1st May 2001 (Landing):
STS-105 Mission – 10th Aug 2001 (Launch) to 22nd Aug 2001 (Landing):
Skylab Missions | Back to Categories
Skylab SL-1 Mission (Skylab Launch) – 14th May 1973:
Skylab SL-2 Mission (1st Crewed Mission) – 25th May 1973 – 22nd Jun 1973:
Skylab SL-3 Mission (2nd Crewed Mission) – 28th Jul 1973 – 25th Sep 1973:
Skylab SL-4 Mission (3rd Crewed Mission) – 16th Nov 1973 – 8th Feb 1974:
ASTP (Apollo-Soyuz) Missions | Back to Categories
Viking Missions | Back to Categories
Voyager Missions | Back to Categories
Miscellaneous Covers | Back to Categories
Japanese Supersonic Research Program NEXTST-1 / Woomera – 15th Jul 2002:
