Patch, Mission, STS-8

This STS-8 mission patch is memorabilia from the eighth Space Shuttle mission, the third for Challenger. It conducted the first night launch and night landing. The five-person crew included Commander Richard H. Truly, Pilot Daniel C. Brandenstein, as well as Mission Specialists Dale A. Gardner, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., and William E. Thornton. Notably, on this flight Bluford became the first American person of color to fly in space.Michael O'Harro donated this patch to the Museum in 1993.