Description

The Space Shuttle was a partially reusable spacecraft system operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011 as part of the Space Shuttle program, officially named the Space Transportation System (STS). This program originated from a 1969 plan for reusable spacecraft, of which the Shuttle was the only component developed.

The first orbiter, Enterprise, built in 1976, was used for Approach and Landing Tests but could not achieve orbit. Four fully operational orbiters—Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis—were subsequently built. Challenger was lost in 1986 and Columbia in 2003, resulting in the deaths of 14 astronauts. A fifth orbiter, Endeavour, was constructed in 1991 to replace Challenger. The remaining orbiters were retired after Atlantis's final flight on July 21, 2011. Until the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission in May 2020, the U.S. used the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to transport astronauts to the ISS.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Seychelles, country name above, date below.

The coat of arms of the Republic of Seychelles shows a shield, in which a giant tortoise is located on grounds. On the ground there is a coco de mer palm tree. Behind it there is a sea with two islands and a sail ship to be seen. The shield is enthroned by a helmet, on which a white-tailed tropicbird is located above waves. The shield is supported by two white sailfish. Beneath the shield the motto of Seychelles is stated: "Finis Coronat Opus" (Latin for "The End Crowns the Work").

REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES
FINIS·CORONAT·OPVS
· 1993 ·

Reverse

Depicts the Space Shuttle Columbia climbing through the atmosphere and dropping solid boosters.

Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102), manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA, was the first of five Space Shuttle orbiters to fly in space, debuting on April 12, 1981. Named after the first American ship to circumnavigate the North American Pacific coast, Columbia retained unique features from its experimental design, making it the heaviest of the orbiters. During its 22 years of operation, Columbia flew 28 missions, contributing significantly to scientific research, including deploying the Chandra observatory and carrying the first female commander of an American spaceflight mission. Tragically, Columbia disintegrated upon reentry in February 2003, killing all seven crew members of STS-107. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board attributed the disaster to damage sustained during launch. This loss led to the refocusing of NASA's human exploration programs and the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011. Numerous memorials honor the crew, including the Columbia Memorial Space Center and the Columbia Hills on Mars.

SPACE SHUTTLE
25 RUPEES

Edge

25 Rupees

Space Shuttle

KM# 68 Schön# 71
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 31.46 g
Diameter 38.6 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mayer Mint GmbH Germany

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