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Space archive of S. Neil Hosenball, NASA’s General Counsel from 1975-1985, who, as the agency’s top lawyer, advised on international space law, treaties, contracts, and policy, and was instrumental in negotiating what is commonly known as the 1979 ‘Moon Treaty,’ formally the Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. The archive comprises sundry awards and keepsakes presented to Hosenball during his 25-year tenure with NASA, a collection highlighted by a rare and marvelous 1/16 scale model of ‘Nell,’ the first liquid-fueled rocket, which was launched by Dr. Robert H. Goddard in Auburn, Massachusetts, on March 16, 1926. The gold-tone metal model stands 9˝ tall and is supported by a black V-shaped launch frame, which both rest upon a wooden base, 6˝ x 5˝ x .75˝, with two affixed plaques, one of which bears an inscription to its recipient: “This Model Is Presented to S. Neil Hosenball, NASA General Counsel, 1975–1985, With Thanks For His Support and His Assistance to the Goddard Space Flight Center.” The model is housed in a clear display case measuring 5.25˝ x 10.25˝ x 6.5˝.
Other highlights of the archive include:
Flown fabric ‘NASA Seal’ flag, 5.75 x 4, carried aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during the historic STS-1 mission, from April 12-14, 1981, presented under acrylic and mounted to a handsome circular wooden presentation plaque, 18˝ in diameter, with NASA program emblems, images of NASA achievements, and a dedication plate: “Presented to S. Neil Hosenball, In recognition of your sage counsel throughout the years and your tireless support of our Nation’s aeronautics and space programs.” The plate bears a facsimile signature of James M. Beggs.
Flown fabric American flag, 5.5 x 3.75, carried aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-3 mission from March 22-30, 1982, affixed to an 8.5 x 11 certificate that reads: “Presented to Participants in the Symposium Commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty.” The lower portion bears facsimile signatures. Includes its original brown presentation folder.
Scarce early model of the Northrop HL-10 experimental ‘lifting body’ aircraft, a key part of NASA's lifting body program at the Armstrong Flight Research Center, developing data used in the design of the Space Shuttle's energy management and landing techniques. The model, 11˝ in length, is suspended to a height of 8˝ and set atop its original wooden base with presentation plaque: “Presented to S. Neil Hosenball, In Recognition of His Long Term Support of the Space Shuttle Program, From His Friends at Dryden F.R.F. / HL-10 – An Early Candidate Configuration for Shuttle.”
Attractive ‘National Commission on Space’ wall-hanging plaque, 15˝ in diameter, signed and inscribed on the reverse in ink and felt tip by seven NCOS members, including astronaut Kathy Sullivan, aerospace consultant David C. Webb, planetary scientist Laurel L. Wilkening, and NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine, who writes: “Whereas Neil Hosenball served as the Counselor and Barrister and general Legal Eagle of our Commission, I therefore salute him! – And also thank him for his effective support when we were going to the moon 17 years ago today…7/20/86.”
Original Coca-Cola and Pepsi pitch ‘space cans’ produced by the companies during the ‘Space Cola Wars’ of the 1980s, which saw the soft drink giants engage in costly marketing campaigns and product tests to get their beverages into space. The competition began in 1985 during the STS-51-F Space Shuttle mission, when astronauts tested specially designed soda cans from each company to see how the carbonated drinks would perform in microgravity. In a widely publicized experiment, Coca-Cola's sophisticated fluid dispenser outperformed Pepsi's modified shaving cream can in dispensing drinkable soda. The soda cans, which both feature mounting holes to the body, are accompanied by their respective publicity folders, which contain fact sheets, news releases, photographs, and other advertising ephemera.
Wooden plaque with images of an RS-25 (Space Shuttle Main Engine) and its testing location, the Rocket Propulsion Test Complex at the John C. Stennis Space Center, 9 x 12, with central dedication plate: “Presented to Neil Hosenball, From Friends at the National Space Technology Laboratories.”
Small model of the Spacehab module with its tunnel adapter, 4.25˝ x 3˝ x 3.25˝, set atop its original wooden base with ‘Spacehab’ plate.
Partly printed certificate from 1983 presented to “S. Neil Hosenball” by President Ronald Reagan, whose autopen signature is present below. The certificate confers upon Hosenball the “rank of Distinguished Executive in the Senior Executive Service for sustained extraordinary accomplishment in management of programs of the United States Government and for leadership exemplifying the highest standard of service to the public, reflecting credit on the career civil service.” Framed to an overall size of 15 x 12.
Also includes: form letter from President Ronald Reagan (with facsimile signature) announcing the Young Astronaut Council on October 17, 1984, with YAC fact sheet and brochure; two 10-year commemorative certificates for the Apollo 11 mission, both bearing facsimile signatures of President Carter, with printed NASA enclosure from Robert A. Frosch and original NASA mailing envelope; framed Apollo/Soyuz commemorative display for the containing a Russian cover, an ASTP FDC, a guest sheet for a ‘US-USSR Aerospace Panel’ event, which lists Hosenball as “General Counsel, NASA,” and a special “U.S.–U.S.S.R. Program, American Bar Assn.” medal; Chinese commemorative porcelain plate, 9.25˝ in diameter, with the underside marked in English and Chinese: “Ministry of Astronautics, P. R. C.”; an English-Russian pennant for the “TNE USSR Council of Young Scientists and Specialists”; and more. In overall fine condition.
