Space Shuttle Mission DVDs

As the Space Shuttle program winds down, we've been looking at the best way to go about providing comprehensive material on the entire program. Our Space Shuttle: First Flights set is a comprehensive overview (on the order of the Mercury set - one of our best) but covers the development of the program as well as the first four development flights. But we wanted to provide something on EACH space shuttle mission, which is why we started with the individual sets such as STS-25, 26, 27, 29 and 109. 

But we also recognize that purchasing a 1-DVD set on each mission would get extremely expensive for the enthusiast who would like to have a complete set of ALL the missions, and due to the light demand for the individual space shuttle sets, we don't believe doing individually packaged sets on each space shuttle mission is viable.

So where does this leave us? Here is our solution: We're going to do the missions by tens. We are now offering the first 10 Space Shuttle missions, STS 1 through STS-41-B, as a standalone product. But here's how it works: When you order the product you will receive the 10 disc case for that series, along with at least two of the mission discs inside. For example, for STS-1 through STS-41-B, we have already finished the STS-5, STS-6 and STS-7 discs, and have STS-8 and STS-9 in master. We will be mastering up the remaining discs in August. You will be charged $7 for every disc included in the initial shipment. We will then ship the remaining discs (at no additional shipping charge in the US) as they are available, at a rate of no fewer than one per month. We anticipate we'll ship at least two per month. Our schedule for the first disc is that the STS-1 through STS-41-B sets will ship with STS-5, 6 and 7 inside, for an initial price of $21 plus shipping (for the case and the first three missions). In September, STS-8, 9 and 41-B will ship at a charge of $21. Then in October we will ship STS-3 and STS-4 for a charge of $14. Followed in November by STS-1 and STS-2 for a charge of $14. Total cost for the set after it is fully available will be $89.99. Therefore the program will save you $20, and you'll begin to get the discs early. As soon as the last discs ship for a set, it will revert to the full set price. 

So on our site here is how you can purchase the set:

1) In parts. You'll see the set listed, and when you purchase you'll be charged for the first three discs with case, then later for the next discs, then later for the next discs.

2) At the discount price all at one time. Prepaying the set reduces your shipping cost (as we will not charge any shipping beyond the first order) and it provides us with greater capital for building the sets faster (which we appreciate).

3) Wait until it is complete and purchase the entire set at full price, which if you would like to have it all when you order it, we understand completely.

After this first set is complete we will then begin on the next 10 missions, STS-41-C through STS-51-I, with the same system, followed by the next 10, and on and on. We believe around 30 missions per year will be the norm, leaving us with a task of 2-3 years to build a complete collection. 

Each of the flights will have as much material as we can pack onto them. A good deal of material was recently turned over by NASA to the National Archives on the first decade and a half of the Space Shuttle program, and we're busy combing through that material now. Just as with our other material, these compilations will be worth your while - understand of course that some of the DOD missions can be kind of light, featuring not much more than launch and landing... while others are much more extensive.

The existing STS-25, 26, 27, 29 and 109 sets will be incorporated into this system. If you already have those discs, we will be making an allowance for them if you wish to purchase the series that it contains. Also, even though this system does not replace the Space Shuttle: First Flights set, we will substitute this first mission set if you wish and give you a proper credit to your account. Just let us know.

We will be watching closely how this progresses, with an eye toward possibly doing something similar in terms of packaging for the earlier missions, such as perhaps doing more extensive individual Gemini flights in this sort of format. We'll see. Of course feedback is always welcome.

Note: Some of you have already found an STS-5 product and ordered it. We are sending you an email to work out an arrangement on this set.

Comments

[Ed Hengeveld]

Exciting news! I'll order the complete Shuttle set for missions 1-10. One question about aspect ratio for the older missions: I assume this will be 4:3 as originally filmed and not 16:9 with part of the image cut off?

[Rob Bowen]

While I love this idea about the STS sets and realize that this is an important part of the history of human spaceflight, I would want Spacecraft films to realize and remember that they have not completed the documentation of the not so recent past. Please do not push back the other projects in the works such as Apollo/Soyez or Skylab. These were significant in their own right and deserve to be published ASAP. I do look forward to a more detailed accounting of a possible Gemini project. Keep up the good work.