posted 08-06-2009 11:37 AM               

Take a look at the Manned Spacecraft Center's Roundup, May 13, 1964, page 8. I'm not entirely sure Schirra designed it but, the article says he sparked the meeting.

You'll have to use the Zoom function to blow up the tiny writing.

posted 08-06-2009 11:59 AM               

Astronaut's New Emblem Symbolizes Unity of Mercury-Gemini-Apollo Teams

NASA's twenty-nine astronauts are wearing a new emblem, unofficially signifying the unity of the Mercury-Gemini-Apollo flight teams.

The design shows a trio of trajectories merging in infinite space, capped by a bright shining star and encircled by an el|iptlcal wreath denoting orbital flight. They are either gold or silver. Gold emblems are worn by those who have flown in space

Military version of the astronaut emblem are emblazoned over conventional pilots wings - silver for Air Force and gold for Navy space fliers.

The device was adopted late in 1963 by the astronaut team when it was evident that the Mercury "7" lapel pin, awarded to Mercury pilots, excluded new astronaut team members. A get together was held, sparked by Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, and the pilots decided on one emblem for all present and future members of the team.

Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter recently presented a gold pin to John Glenn, the first of America's astronauts to orbit the Earth.

posted 01-06-2020 12:00 AM               

'Pin'-nacle achievement: The story behind NASA's astronaut pin

They have completed their basic training and have qualified for mission assignments, but before NASA's newest group of space men and women can call themselves astronauts, they need one more thing — a small lapel pin with a long history.

NASA will graduate its 22nd astronaut candidate class on Friday (Jan. 10). The 11 American and two Canadian trainees will each receive an astronaut pin, signifying their eligibility for future flights to the International Space Station, Artemis missions to the moon and, perhaps, journeys to Mars.

posted 01-07-2020 09:37 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Gordon Reade:
Have any been sold at auction...

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• Ed White's gold pin was sold in 1999 by Superior Galleries for $13,500.

• Dick Gordon's silver pin was sold in 2009 by Goldberg Coins and Collectibles for $8,607.

• Deke Slayton's diamond-studded gold pin was offered in 2010 by Bonhams for $80,000 to $120,000 but went unsold. Two years later, it was donated to The Museum of Flight in Seattle, where it is on display today.

• Al Worden's silver pin was sold in 2015 by RR Auction for $5,000.