On the occasion of the launch of Axiom Mission 3, a space mission with the participation of the Italian Air Force in which the flag of the activities of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta will be carried on board the International Space Station, the Poste Magistrali office counter located inside Palazzo Magistrale in Rome, with public entrance from Via delle Carrozze 79, will use the special postmark on 19 January 2024.

The stamp, created by Giancarlo Federico, reproduces an image of the International Space Station (ISS) in Earth orbit, flanked by the flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta’s activities.

The postmark is completed by the inscriptions “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA” and “POSTE MAGISTRALI”, “LANCIO AXIOM MISSION 3” and the date “19.I.2024”.

Those interested can order the card stamped with the special postmark by completing and returning the appropriate form.

Whereas, items for reposting, individually franked by the sender with stamps belonging to the relevant set, must reach the Poste Magistrali office by 19 March 2024. A suitable self-addressed envelope, bearing the Order of Malta stamps corresponding to the ordinary (Posta4) or priority (Posta1) postal rate in force in Italy, must be enclosed for the postmarked items to be returned under cover. For any return by registered mail, please contact Poste Magistrali in advance.

Items to be returned uncovered must reach Poste Magistrali by 2 February 2024 and must be individually marked as “Corrispondenza filatelica” (Philatelic correspondence) on the address side in indelible ink. Should this indication be missing, it will be applied by Poste Magistrali.