Space Exploration Zippos — LighterGallery.com

In October 1967 Russia launched the first satellite into space. The United States was shocked, fearing the Russians have jumped way ahead in the conquest of space. Senator Lyndon Johnson expressed the fears at the time: "Soon, they will be dropping bombs on us from space like kids dropping rocks onto cars from freeway overpasses!" General Electric was a pioneer in the design and construction of re-entry vehicles, and the slim Zippo is dated 1958, the year NASA and the Mercury project were created

In 1961 NASA announced a plan to extend the existing manned space flight program by development of a two-man spacecraft. The program was designated Gemini, named after the third constellation of the zodiac, featuring the twin stars Castor and Pollux… — In 1961 NASA announced a plan to extend the existing manned space flight program by development of a two-man spacecraft. The program was designated Gemini, named after the third constellation of the zodiac, featuring the twin stars Castor and Pollux. The Gemini program ended after twelve missions in 1966, the year this slim Zippo with the Gemini logo was produced

In 1962 Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation received a contract to design and build the lunar module which was ultimately used in the 1969 moon landing.  The slim Zippo is dated 1966 — In 1962 Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation received a contract to design and build the lunar module which was ultimately used in the 1969 moon landing. The slim Zippo is dated 1966

1963 slim Town & Country image for Lockheed Missile & Space Company, a major government contractor

This 1962 Zippo depicts The Mercury Seven , the Mercury astronauts announced by NASA on April 9, 1959. They piloted the manned spaceflights of the Mercury program from May 1961 to May 1963. These seven original American astronauts were Scott Ca… — This 1962 Zippo depicts The Mercury Seven , the Mercury astronauts announced by NASA on April 9, 1959. They piloted the manned spaceflights of the Mercury program from May 1961 to May 1963. These seven original American astronauts were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton

This is a one of a kind 1965 Town & Country prototype Zippo for Project Apollo, the NASA effort that led the Apollo 11 landing on the moon in 1969

1966 Zippo with insignia NASA's Apollo Program

1967 Zippo depicting the Mercury astronauts.  It is identical to the 1962 Zippo with the same image. — 1967 Zippo depicting the Mercury astronauts. It is identical to the 1962 Zippo with the same image.

The Town & Country Zippo with the colorful images of Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is the rarest of Apollo 11 commemorative Zippos. The image of the three astronauts in black paint on the 1969 Zippo was replicated in color on the 1984 Zippo

On July 20, 1969 the Apollo 11 astronauts the first manned flight to the moon touched down. The popular Town & Country process "Moonlanding" Zippo from 1969 celebrates this historic event. The Zippo on the right with Armstrong's famous quote "That's One Small Step for a Man and One Giant Leap for Mankind 10:56 PM EDT" is rare. The tape measure may be a prototype

This two-sided Zippo from 1969 has a graphic of the moon landing on the front and the Apollo 11 insignia on the reverse.  It is a rare Zippo — This two-sided Zippo from 1969 has a graphic of the moon landing on the front and the Apollo 11 insignia on the reverse. It is a rare Zippo

The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first human spaceflight mission managed jointly by two nations, the US and the Soviet Union.  In 1975 it achieved its goal of rendezvous and docking of human spacecraft.  The slim Zippo is from 1974 — The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project was the first human spaceflight mission managed jointly by two nations, the US and the Soviet Union. In 1975 it achieved its goal of rendezvous and docking of human spacecraft. The slim Zippo is from 1974

NASA wanted a more portable camera for its space missions, it selected Nikon as a special manufacturer. This two-sided Zippo is from 1980

1972 Zippo with the NASA “meatball” design. The sphere represents a planet, the stars represent space, the red chevron is a wing representing aeronautics, and then there is an orbiting spacecraft going around the wing.

1963 loss-proof Zippo with the NASA logo.Wallops Station is located on the Eastern Shore of Virginia primarily as a rocket launch site to support science and exploration missions for NASA and other Federal agencies.

1975 Zippo with insignia NASA's Apollo Program

1989  Zippo with the image of  one of the Space Shuttles which were launched from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida — 1989 Zippo with the image of one of the Space Shuttles which were launched from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida

1991 solid brass Zippo produced in connection with a memorial to Ellison Shoji Onizuka,  an American astronaut who died in the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.  The memorial is located in Little Tokyo, Ellison S. Onizuk… — 1991 solid brass Zippo produced in connection with a memorial to Ellison Shoji Onizuka, an American astronaut who died in the destruction of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. The memorial is located in Little Tokyo, Ellison S. Onizuka Street, in Los Angeles California

1994 high-polish Zippo with the  NASA Apollo insignia.  One peculiar difference from the 1966 or  1976 versions above is that the colors of the moon and earth have been reversed — 1994 high-polish Zippo with the NASA Apollo insignia. One peculiar difference from the 1966 or 1976 versions above is that the colors of the moon and earth have been reversed

This is a 2002 on which the early Apollo 11 designs have been replicated. The front has the rarer moonlander design and Neil Armstrong's famous quote on the lid, and the reverse has the NASA meatball logo and the 3-man Apollo 11 crew design.

See also ASTRONAUT RECOVERY ZIPPOS