The Space Coast Philatelic Society (SCPS) was formed in the early 1970s by German dealer Eberhard Cölle and some members of the KSC Philatelic Society. Special thanks to Ken Havekotte for this information !
SCPS covers have printed cachet designs, starting with fancy 2-color designs in the ’70s and ending up with simpler 1-color designs in the ’80s. SCPS covers were issued for almost all, if not all, launch events from KSC between early-1973 and sometime in 1984. Interestingly even the ‘secret’ launches were covered, though of course the cachets do not provide much information because details about secret launches were not made available to the public at the time.
In summary, SCPS covers provide a great insight into KSC launches from the period and it is a real challenge to find them all. I’m not sure how many covers were released for each issue but as with some other space cover brands, as a general rule it seems that earlier issues are easier to find than later ones. You can find examples of SCPS covers relatively cheaply on eBay etc.
There were at least 2 different types of rubber printed SCPS logos used, which I will refer to as “TYPE I” (approx. 30mm wide) and “TYPE II” (approx. 45mm wide) below. I have seen the Type I logo printed in blue, red and black; and the Type II logo in blue only. I’m not sure what the significance is of the different colors used, but would love to know more about this if anyone can help. There is a numbering system associated with the logos that is complicated to understand. I show the number for each issue below where I can. The numbers are hand-written in pen, probably sometimes by Eberhard Cölle but i’ve also seen other handwriting styles used suggesting that others were involved. Sometimes a single issue has different numbers and again I cannot explain this. Also sometimes the numbers are reversed. Perhaps these are mistakes, or perhaps there is a good reason for this. Not every cover has a logo & number. Sometimes the logo is printed on the front, sometimes it is printed on the back. This all tells me that perhaps different people were involved in the process otherwise I imagine the logo placement would be more consistent. So there are a few little mysteries here that need solving and I think that makes these covers all the more interesting to collect.
I’d be interested in purchasing any SCPS covers that I don’t show here, please contact me if you can help ! I also have some spares available for sale or swap.
My collection of SCPS covers is shown below.
1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984
1973 | Back to Year choices
Pioneer 11 – 5th April 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/1, red 73/13):
Anik A2 – 20th April 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/2):
Skylab Launch – 14th May 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/3):
First Crewed Skylab Mission – 25th May 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/6, red 73/6):
Explorer 49 – 11th June 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/9, red 73/15):
DSP 4 – 12th June 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/10, red 1/?):
Skylab Launch SL-3 – 28th July 1973 – Type I Logo (red 73/7):
Intelsat IV F7 – 23rd August 1973 – Type I Logo (red 73/17):
IMP J / Explorer 50 – 25th October 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/15, red 75/18):
Mariner 10 – 5th November 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 73/16):
Skylab Launch SL-4 – 16th November 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 75/17):
Skylab Launch SL-4 – 16th November 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 75/18):
Skylab Launch SL-4 – 16th November 1973 – Type I Logo (blue 75/19):
DSCS-2 3/4 – 13th December 1973:
1974 | Back to Year choices
Skynet 2A – 18th January 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/1, red 74/1):
Sphinx / Viking DS – 11th February 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/2):
Westar 1 – 13th April 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/3, red 74/3):
1st Anniversary of Skylab Launch – 14th May 1974 – Type I Logo (red 74/4):
SMS 1 – 17th May 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/4):
ATS 6 – 30th May 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/5):
Westar 2 – 10th October 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/6):
Intelsat 4 F8 – 21st November 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/7):
Skynet 2B – 23rd November 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/8):
Helios 1 – 10th December 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/9):
Symphonie 1 – 18th December 1974 – Type I Logo (blue 74/10):
1975 | Back to Year choices
Landsat 2 / ERTS-B – 22nd January 1975 – Type I Logo (red/black 75/1):
SMS 2 – 6th February 1975 – Type I Logo (blue/black 75/1):
Intelsat 4 F6 – 20th February 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/2):
Apollo-Soyuz ASTP Rollout – 24th March 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/3):
Anik A3 – 7th May 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/4):
Titan IIIC / DSCS 2-5/2-6 / Project 777 – 20th May 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/5):
Intelsat 4 1 – 22nd May 1975 – Type I Logo (blue/black 75/6):
Atlas Agena Spysat Canyon 6 – 18th June 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/7)
OSO 8 Solar Satellite – 21st June 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/8):
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) First Transfer – 17th Jul 1975 (blue 75/11):
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Linkup – 17th July 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/12, 75/13):
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Splash Down – 24th July 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/14):
ESA/NASA COS-B – 8th August 1975 – Type I Logo (blue/black 75/4):
Viking 1 – 20th August 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/17):
Symphonie 2 – 26th August 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/18):
Viking 2 – 9th September 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/21):
[Note offset variation where the red is double-printed and the black printed over the top.]
Intelsat 4A 1 – 26th September 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/22):
NASA AE-D – 6th October 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/5);
GOES 1 – 16th October 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/18, blue 75/23):
AE-E / Explorer 55 – 19th November 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/19, 75/24):
Dad Scout Booster – 5th December 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/6);
Satcom 1 – 12th December 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/20, blue 75/25):
Spysat Titan 3C Agena DSP 5- 14th December 1975 – Type I Logo (blue 75/21):
1976 | Back to Year choices
Helios 2 – 15th January 1976 – Type I Logo (blue 76/1):
CTS / Hermes – 19th January 1976 – Type I Logo (blue 76/2):
Intelsat 4A F2 – 29th January 1976 – Type I Logo (blue 76/3):
Marisat 1 – 19th February 1976 – Type I Logo (blue 76/4):
Les 8/9 – 15th March 1976 – Type I Logo (blue 76/5):
Satcom 2 – 26th March 1976 – Type I Logo (blue/black 76/6):
NATO 3A – 22nd April 1976 – Type I Logo (blue/black 76/7):
Comstar 1A – 13th May 1976 – Type I Logo (black 76/8, red 76/9):
3rd Century America / Bicentennial Exposition on Science and Technology – 30th May 1976 – Type I Logo (blue 76/8):
Marisat 2 – 9th June 1976 – Type I Logo (black 76/9):
DSP 6 – 25th June 1976 – Type I Logo (black 76/10, blue 76/11, red 76/11):
Palapa 1 – 8th July 1976 – Type I Logo (black 76/11, red 76/12):
Comstar D2 – 22nd July 1976 – Type I Logo (black 76/12, red 76/13):
Marisat 3 – 14th October 1976 – Type I Logo (black 76/13, red 76/14):
1977 | Back to Year choices
10 Year Anniversary of the Apollo 1 Fire – Type I Logo (blue 77/7):
NATO 3B – 27th January 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/1, red 77/1):
DSP 7 – 6th February 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/2, red 77/2):
Palapa 2 – 10th March 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/3, red 77/4):
ESA-GEOS – 20th April 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/4, red 77/5):
DSCS 2 7/8 – 12th May 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/5, red 77/6):
Canyon 7 – 23rd May 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/6, red 77/7):
Intelsat 4A 4 – 26th May 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/7, red 77/8):
Apollo 15 Lunar Rover Post Office – 2nd Aug 1971 – Type I Logo (blue 77/8):
The SCPS logo must have been added to this unusual 1971 cover later on in 1977
GOES 2 – 16th June 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/8, red 77/11):
Black Brant Zero Gravity Test – 21st Jun 1977 – Type I Logo (blue 77/6):
[came with a red insert card with German writing]
GMS 1 – 14th July 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/9):
10 Year Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing – 20th Jul 1969 (blue 77/9):
HEAO 1 – 12th August 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/10, red 77/12):
Voyager 2 Arrives at KSC (?) – 23rd May 1977:
Voyager 2 Launch – 20th August 1977:
Voyager 2 Jupiter Encounter – 9th July 1979:
Sirio – 25th August 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/12):
Voyager 1 – 5th September 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/13, red 77/15):
OTS – 13th September 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/14, red 77/16):
Intelsat 4A 5 – 29th September 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/15):
ISEE 1/2 – 25th October 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/16, red 77/18):
Meteosat 1 – 23rd November 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/17):
Atlas Agena Secret Satellite / Aquacade 3 – 12th December 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/18):
Japan CS1 / Sakura 1 – 14th December 1977 – Type I Logo (black 77/19, red 77/21):
1978 | Back to Year choices
Intelsat 4A 3 – 6th January 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/1):
IUE / Explorer 57 – 26th January 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/2):
Fltsatcom 1 – 9th February 1978:
DSCS 2 Phase 2 – 27th March 1978:
Intelsat 4A F6 – 31st March 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/5):
Aquacade 4 – 7th April 1978:
BSE 1 – 7th April 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/6):
OTS 2 – 11th May 1978:
Pioneer Venus 1 Launch – 22nd May 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/9):
Chalet 8 / Vortex 8 – 12th June 1978:
GOES 3 – 16th June 1978:
Comstar 1C – 29th June 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/12):
Geos 2 – 14th July 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/13):
Pioneer Venus 2 Launch – 8th August 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/14):
ISEE-C – 12th August 1978:
HEAO 2 – 13th November 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/16):
NATO 3C – 18th November 1978:
DSCS II 11/12 – 13th December 1978:
Telesat ANIK B – 15th December 1978 – Type I Logo (black 78/19):
1979 | Back to Year choices
SCATHA – 30th January 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/1):
Columbia 102 Arrival – 24th March 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/2):
FLTSATCOM 2 – 4th May 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/3):
DSP 8 – 11th June 1979:
Westar 3 – 9th August 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/5):
HEAO 3 – 20th September 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/6):
Vortex 9 – 1st October 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/7):
DSCS 2 13/14 – 20th November 1979 – Type I Logo (black 79/8):
Satcom 3 – 6th December 1979:
1980 | Back to Year choices
FLTSATCOM 3 – 18th January 1980 – Type I Logo (black 80/1):
SMM (Solarmax) – 14th February 1980 – Type I Logo (black 80/2):
GOES 4 – 9th September 1980 – Type I Logo (black 80/3):
FLTSATCOM 4 – 31st October 1980 – Type I Logo (black 80/4)
SBS 1 – 17th November 1980:
Intelsat V F2 – 8th December 1980:
1981 | Back to Year choices
Comstar D – 23rd February 1981 – Type II Logo (blue 81/1):
DSP 9 – 16th March 1981 – Type II Logo (blue 81/2):
GOES 5 – 21st May 1981 – Type II Logo (blue 81/4):
Intelsat-5 1 – 23rd May 1981:
FLTSATCOM 5 – 6th August 1981:
SBS 2 – 24th September 1981 – Type II Logo (blue 81/6):
Vortex 10 – 31st October 1981 (2nd November 1981) – Type II Logo (blue 81/7):
Satcom 3R – 19th November 1981 – Type II Logo (blue 81/9):
Intelsat-5 3 – 15th December 1981 – Type II Logo (blue 81/10):
1982 | Back to Year choices
Satcom 4 – 15th January 1982:
Westar 4 – 25th February 1982 – Type II Logo (blue 82/2):
Intelsat-5 4 – 4th March 1982 – Type II Logo (blue 82/3):
DSP 10 – 6th March 1982:
Insat 1A – 12th April 1982 – Type II Logo (blue 82/5):
Westar 5 – 9th June 1982 – Type II Logo (blue 82/6):
Anik D1 – 26th August 1982:
Intelsat-5 5 – 28th September 1982:
Satcom 5 / Aurora 1 – 27th October 1982:
DSCS-2 16 – 30th October 1982:
1983 | Back to Year choices
Satcom 1R – 11th April 1983:
GOES 6 – 28th April 1983:
Intelsat-5 6 – 19th May 1983:
Galaxy 1 – 28th June 1983:
Telstar 301 – 28th July 1983:
Satcom 2R – 8th September 1983:
Galaxy 2 – 22nd September 1983:
1984 | Back to Year choices
Vortex 11 – 31st January 1984:
DSP 11 – 14th February 1984:
Intelsat-5 9 – 9th June 1984:
CCE / IRM / UKS / STP – 16th August 1984 [Possibly not SCPS?]:
Galaxy 3 – 21st September 1984:
NATO 3D – 14th November 1984:
DSP 12 – 22nd December 1984: