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Author
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Topic: GSS space shuttle patch
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SXPatches
Member Posts: 87
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
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posted 01-25-2021 04:39 AM
   
I have conducted an exhaustive search to identify this patch without success. Does anyone have any insight?  |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3183
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-25-2021 07:00 AM
I guess its "GSS" and not "CSS," correct? If with a "G," it could be a shuttle program patch for Ground Software Systems. But with a "C," perhaps Control Stick Steering or the Core Segment Simulator. Another possibility would be a secondary or subcontractor patch of some sort. Either way, I have never seen the patch design before. How did you get it? |
mmmmpatches
New Member Posts: 5
From: Sydney
Registered: Mar 2016
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posted 01-25-2021 07:33 AM
Same wording and GSS on this key chain (via eBay 174219777197): Quality Improvement Through Employee Involvement  
And the jacket for it (eBay 203216065195):  Patch is on this Martin Marietta Vandenberg Space Shuttle calendar (eBay 373419043380):  |
mmmmpatches
New Member Posts: 5
From: Sydney
Registered: Mar 2016
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posted 01-25-2021 08:17 AM
And from various bios: ...is an Administrator Program Planner, with Martin Marietta Aerospace, Denver. He previously worked on the Ground Support Systems for the Space Shuttle Program. Mr. Matthews was responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the Space Shuttle Launch Complex Data Base, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Another entry: ...1983 -1984 Ground Support Systems. Martin Marietta Aerospace Vandenberg AFB Ca. Missile X Test and Evaluation. Developed and Maintain Verification Documentation for Facility Hardware Acceptance. And a third: ...Associate engineer of Logistics for the Martin Marietta Corp., which had the ground support systems contract for the Space Transportation System |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 1615
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 01-25-2021 12:33 PM
GSS was the contract where Martin Marietta was hired to convert SLC-6 into a shuttle launch facility |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 87
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
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posted 01-25-2021 07:42 PM
Agreed. I just found Martin Marietta GSS manuals on eBay providing insight that GSS is "Ground Support Systems" that encompass teams and activities to support launching the Space Shuttle from Vandenberg AFB to handle DOD payloads.A few of these patches are offered on eBay right now, and I just bought one of them. The owner of one of them told me that his father worked at VAFB in the early 80s and received this patch. He did not have any details other than it was related to Martin Marietta. The fifth paragraph in the article "Defense Department Involvement in the Space Shuttle Program" on FAS.org has useful information about Martin Marietta's shuttle ground support system. I thought this patch would appear here or on the Space Patch Database website, but no reference, so I was skeptical about its authenticity until I found the Space Shuttle Martin Marietta manual with the same motif on the cover, as listed on eBay (373419043378). This is truly an obscure patch. Mystery solved. Thank you to everyone who responded. |
SXPatches
Member Posts: 87
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020
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posted 03-12-2021 06:10 PM
Just noticed that this patch is being sold with a set of patches and decals on eBay (254899313885). |
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