MotoArt Turns Space Shuttle Booster Scrap Into Collectible Tags

The project emerged from a logistical challenge at Pinal Airpark, where the California Science Center sought help processing the massive booster components. Because the aft skirt hardware featured material up to six inches thick, standard cutting procedures failed. MotoArt took on the precision work, spending several days segmenting the metal to ensure the artifact was ready for its upcoming display at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

Under the terms of the agreement, the scrap metal generated by this preparation was preserved for the market. The resulting collection includes 2,000 tags from the aft skirt itself and 4,000 tags sourced from the hold-down posts. These pieces carry the history of a booster that supported the Columbia, Challenger, Atlantis, Discovery, and Endeavour missions between 1982 and 2002. Dave Hall, founder of MotoArt, described the technical demands of the project as a career highlight, noting that the initiative allows museum visitors to view the primary exhibit while collectors retain a tangible piece of the shuttle program's legacy.