Space enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to own a piece of NASA history. Up for sale is an Airstream trailer, once the Convoy Command Vehicle for NASA’s Space Shuttle missions at Edwards Air Force Base. But owning this piece of nostalgia comes with a hefty price tag of around $199,000.
Current owner Jonathan Kitzen describes the Airstream as not just any trailer. “This is the NASA 025 Command Vehicle,” he says, highlighting its role in landing crewed missions at Edwards. Interestingly, according to Airstream, this is the only NASA trailer they have ever sold—the rest were either destroyed or are now in museums.
Kitzen purchased this trailer in 2022 through a government auction site, where it caught his eye, priced low with minimal details. He learned that a mix-up led to its sale. Initially, it should have been offered to museums, but those in charge mistakenly thought it was just a regular vehicle.
Upon his visit to Vandenberg Air Force Base after winning the auction, the senior asset manager remarked, “We didn’t know what we were selling!” This discovery reflects the sheer value hidden within this vehicle, turning an accidental sale into a treasure for space fans.
The story isn’t just a lucky win for Kitzen. Engineer MacCallister Higgins also expressed interest in the trailer. In a 2022 Twitter thread, he identified it as the Convoy Command Vehicle, even though it had been repainted. Higgins had plans to restore it but ultimately couldn’t manage the logistics.
The auction where Kitzen found the Airstream ended at $21,061, but he hopes to make a much larger profit. While he initially listed it on eBay with a minimum bid of $50,000, he has since placed it on Hemmings.com for $199,000 without any current offers.
Kitzen argues that the high price reflects the investment he made to understand and modify the trailer. He spent $45,000 creating detailed blueprints and modification plans, as Airstream doesn’t maintain the final designs for the trailer. He believes it has potential beyond just being a collectible; it could generate substantial income if used in the right setting.
However, prospective buyers should note that due to its history, this trailer is regulated under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This means it can’t be sold to hostile entities or exported without government clearance.
As more unique collectibles from historic missions hit the market, the appeal of owning a nostalgic item like this Airstream is clear. It’s not just about the investment; it’s about having a tangible connection to America’s space exploration legacy.
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