1981 Space Achievement 21.5.1981

Thanks a lot Hemant for this nice fdc commemorating US Space achievement.The 1981 Space Achievement block of 8 stamps in its normal configuration, with the 4 center space shuttle stamps, flanked by two smaller vertical pairs on each side. The design of each stamp is as follows:

• Top left stamp, Exploring the Moon, shows an astronaut on the moon.
• Top stamp second from the left side, the Space Shuttle releasing its external tanks, before it goes into orbit. This shuttle stamp position is referred to as the UL position (upper left) in the block of 4 stamps.
• Top stamp second from the right side, the Space Shuttle in orbit about to release a satellite from its cargo bay. This shuttle stamp position is referred to as the UR position (upper right) in the block of 4 stamps.
• Top right stamp, understanding the sun, shows the Skylab manned space station.
• Bottom left stamp, probing the planets, shows the Pioneer spacecraft near the planet Saturn.
• Bottom stamp second from the left side, the launch of the Space Shuttle. This shuttle stamp position is referred to as the LL position (Lower left) in the block of 4 stamps.
• Bottom stamp second from the right side, the Space Shuttle coming in for an Earth landing. This shuttle stamp position is referred to as the LR position (lower right) in the block of 4 stamps.
• Bottom right stamp, comprehending the universe, shows the hubble telescope space satellite againt backdrop of the universe.