STS-135: The very last Space Shuttle mission patch

[Webhamster]

The artwork for the STS-135 mission patch has become available. The mission is currently scheduled to launch on June 28, 2011 on Space Shuttle Atlantis for a final re-supply mission to the International Space Station. This would be the very last shuttle mission ever. It was originally intended to be a rescue flight for STS-134 and flown only if required but the Congress authorized NASA to fly the extra mission last fall ... although they have not yet allocated money for it. It is the first shuttle flight since 1983 to have only a four-person crew because if Atlantis is crippled the plan is for the crew to return via Soyuz. Here's hoping they actually get to fly the mission.

Crew:

Commander: Chris Ferguson (3rd spaceflight)

Pilot: Doug Hurley (2nd spaceflight)

Mission Specialist: Sandra Magnus (3rd spaceflight)

Mission Specialist: Rex Walheim (3rd spaceflight)

"The shuttle is centered over elements of the NASA emblem depicting how the shuttle has been at the heart of NASA for the last 30 years. It also pays tribute to the entire NASA and contractor team that made possible all the incredible accomplishments of the space shuttle.

Omega, the last letter in the Greek alphabet, recognizes this mission as the last flight of the space shuttle program."

[JQK]

Classic and classy.

[Ben7]

Classy, love how the implemented the NASA nightsky/Earth shape and the Aeronautic red wings and give the Space Shuttle the center stage.

I didn't notice the Omega at first glance.

Don't like the black/grey part(it's too gloomy for my taste, even if it's for the end of the Space Shuttles.

The triangle/square with the names could have been made a bit more interesting with stars/stripes or other space related achievements/symbols. Maybe that would be too busy or to small, but it adds to the gloomy feeling.

Do the black thrust triangles represent anything special?

At first I thought it might be for the Space Shuttles, but I count 7 and there were only 5 Shuttles (or 6 if you count the Enterprise too).

Columbia (RIP)

Challenger (RIP)

Discovery

Atlantis

Endeavour

Enterprise* (Orbiter)

[infrared41]

Classy, love how the implemented the NASA nightsky/Earth shape and the Aeronautic red wings and give the Space Shuttle the center stage.

I didn't notice the Omega at first glance.

Don't like the black/grey part(it's too gloomy for my taste, even if it's for the end of the Space Shuttles.

The triangle/square with the names could have been made a bit more interesting with stars/stripes or other space related achievements/symbols. Maybe that would be too busy or to small, but it adds to the gloomy feeling.

Do the black thrust triangles represent anything special?

At first I thought it might be for the Space Shuttles, but I count 7 and there were only 5 Shuttles (or 6 if you count the Enterprise too).

Columbia (RIP)

Challenger (RIP)

Discovery

Atlantis

Endeavour

Enterprise* (Orbiter)

First off, great patch. Nice clean design and it just looks cool as hell to this NASA geek.

I was wondering the same thing about the thrust triangles and like you my first guess was the number of shuttles. I wonder if maybe they represent the "Mercury seven?" The Omega in the patch signifies the end of the Shuttle program (possibly the end of manned spaceflight for a long time) so maybe the thrusts are supposed to represent the beginning of American manned spaceflight or something? Just an idea.

Anyway, I think it's an awesome patch. It's just too bad that the Shuttle program has to end. Hopefully the Constellation program can somehow be resurrected. It's a shame that it was cancelled in the first place.

[oaklandhusker]

I'm being facetious, and I don't entirely believe this myself, but perhaps the Omega and the black thrust triangles are there because they made for a really sweet patch.

Which, of course, this one is...