posted 04-04-2022 01:43 AM               

These have been produced exclusively for this fundraiser, with all funds going directly to the charity.

The 27 gold and 100 silver examples of the patch (with the embroidered signature on the patch executed in metallic gold/silver thread) come on numbered display cards hand signed by Hoot Gibson himself. A version with the embroidered signature executed in white thread is available without a display card.

To reserve one of these patches please visit this post on the Space Hipsters Facebook group.

Note that at the time of writing the gold edition is sold out, but some of the 100 silver patches (with signed cards) remain open for reservation at $50 each, and the regular versions are available at $12 each.

posted 04-10-2022 03:27 AM               

The 27 "gold" edition patches sold in the first few hours but a few of the 100 "silver" edition patches remain available at $50. The regular patches without display cards are also available at $12 each.

Every cent of this money goes direct to the non-profit organization Taking Up Space, and worldwide delivery is being provided for free.

posted 11-28-2022 12:00 AM               

First astronaut to test land a space shuttle 'signs' off on new fundraising patches

A new offer for an astronaut-inspired space patch has the power to "beam up" Native American girls to Space Camp.

The "Signature Edition Enterprise Commander Fred W. Haise, Jr." patch, created by and available from the almost 35,000-member Space Hipsters group on Facebook, celebrates the first astronaut to test land a space shuttle orbiter. The limited edition embroidered emblem, which features Haise's (fascimile) autograph sewn into the design, is set to go on sale on Monday (Nov. 28).

posted 11-28-2022 07:28 PM               

About 70% of the gold thread are already gone, but we have plenty of the white thread and quite a few silver thread (with signature card) left. If you're interested or have questions, please get in touch with me at HistorianMom@gmail.com.

posted 03-31-2023 02:00 PM               

Son's design for astronaut-father's mission patch put into production 40 years later

A son's 40-year-old sketch for his astronaut-father's mission patch has been made into a new embroidered emblem to raise funds for the next generation of space explorers.

The "Space Hipsters" Facebook group revealed on Friday (March 31) the next release in their "Signature" space patch series benefiting Taking Up Space, a non-profit that underwrites trips for Native American girls to attend Space Camp. The limited edition badges each feature the embroidered autograph of a former NASA astronaut as part of a design that highlights an aspect of their spaceflight career.

posted 11-12-2023 03:53 PM               

Chickasaw Nation astronaut 'signs' patches for Native American girls' Space Camp fund

The first enrolled member of a Native American tribe to fly into space is helping inspire a new generation of Native American girls to possibly to do the same with a limited edition emblem that celebrates their shared heritage and his time as a NASA astronaut.

John Herrington, who flew on a 2002 space shuttle mission and is a member of the Chickasaw Nation, helped design and provided his autograph for the latest "Signature Edition" patch offered by the nearly 50,000-member Space Hipsters group on Facebook. The collectible is intended a fundraiser for the non-profit Taking Up Space, which has created a 36-week science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum and organizes trips for middle-school-age Native American girls to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama to attend Space Camp.