collectSPACE - news - "Designing an uplifting end to NASA's space shuttle program"

Artist-supplied caption:

The design is kept simple with few details and a traditional circular shape. In the foreground is the Space Shuttle in silhouette, during accent. Behind it is the sun. Whether the sun is rising or setting is intentionally left ambiguous and up to the viewer to decide. A setting sun watching the shuttle take off represents the proud and honorable end of the Space Shuttle era. A rising sun represents hope for the new era in space exploration. There is a ray for each of the five orbiters which have made the journey. In the mid-ground is the ocean, representing exploration. Just as centuries ago, nations built ships to explore the oceans, we today build different ships to explore a different ocean. It echoes President Kennedy's words, "This is a new ocean, and I believe that the U.S. must sail on it."