STS-133: The final Space Shuttle mission patch released

[Webhamster]

What is likely to be the final space shuttle mission patch (depending on the outcome of discussions to potentially add STS-135 next June) has been released.

Crew:

Commander: Steven Lindsey

Pilot: Eric Boe

Mission Specialist 1: Alvin Drew

Mission Specialist 2: Tim Kopra

Mission Specialist 3: Michael Barratt

Mission Specialist 4: Nicole Stott

Discovery is scheduled for launch no earlier than September 16, although this will likely be pushed back into late October or early November.

NASA Description

The STS-133 mission patch is based upon sketches from the late artist Robert McCall; they were the final creations of his long and prodigious career.

In the foreground, a solitary orbiter ascends into a dark blue sky above a roiling fiery plume. A spray of stars surrounds the orbiter and a top lit crescent forms the background behind the ascent.

The mission number, STS-133, is emblazoned on the patch center, and crewmembers' names are listed on a sky-blue border around the scene.

The Shuttle Discovery is depicted ascending on a plume of flame as if it is just beginning a mission. However it is just the orbiter, without boosters or an external tank, as it would be at mission's end. This is to signify Discovery's completion of its operational life and the beginning of its new role as a symbol of NASA's and the nation's proud legacy in human spaceflight.

[Ben7]

I like the "spankling' stars and the moon.

The shuttle looks weird, specially the nose and it's a bit small compared to the rest of the logo.

Also the blast off fire which covers the logo ring isn't my taste. Still it's a nice gesture to include Robert McCall's design.

[Webhamster]

I like the "spankling' stars and the moon.

The shuttle looks weird, specially the nose and it's a bit small compared to the rest of the logo.

Also the blast off fire which covers the logo ring isn't my taste. Still it's a nice gesture to include Robert McCall's design.

It's also a nice bookend (or was intended that way) because STS-133 was originally manifested to be the final shuttle mission until payload delays pushed STS-134 back from July to November (and likely February 2011 now). I mean bookend, because McCall created the mission patch for STS-1 and there is a certain similarity between the two patches in a way:

[Webhamster]

Originally intended to be the final shuttle mission, STS-133 is now the final flight of Discovery and is scheduled to launch on Thursday (Feb 24) at 4:51PM EST. There has also been a crew change since the original patch was released as Tim Kopra was injured in a bike accident several weeks ago and had to be replaced by Steve Bowen (who flew STS-132 last May, making him the first astronaut to fly back-to-back missions). There is an updated patch that swaps Kopra for Bowen:

Additionally, astronaut Nicole Stott was photographed arriving at the Cape for the launch with the new mission patch sewn over the old one on her flight suit.