posted 02-26-2010 09:26 PM            

STS-134 mission patch

STS-134 will bring to the International Space Station (ISS) the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, a state-of-the-art cosmic ray particle physics detector designed to examine fundamental issues about matter and the origin and structure of the universe.

The mission will also carry the third Express Logistics Carrier (ELC-3) with spare parts for the station, including two S-band communications antennas, a high-pressure gas tank, additional spare parts for Dextre and micrometeoroid debris shields.

Mark Kelly will command STS-134, which is targeted to launch on the final flight of Endeavour and the penultimate mission of the space shuttle program in April 2011. Greg "Box" Johnson will serve as pilot. STS-131 mission specialists are Mike Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Drew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori.

posted 03-10-2010 09:47 AM               

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Originally posted by dogcrew5369:
Only problem is it doesn't show in any way that this is the last flight of Endeavour.

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posted 03-10-2010 11:39 AM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
The final version of the STS-134 mission patch (as now pictured above) includes Endeavour's name across the orbiter.

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While I would say this is easily one of my favorite patch designs, I don't like that change at all. It looks odd to see the orbiter's name so large on the side of the orbiter. While there is no way they could have added the name to "scale" and make it legible, I would have preferred adding the name elsewhere on the patch or leaving it off altogether.

posted 03-10-2010 04:08 PM            

The design of the STS-134 crew patch highlights research on the International Space Station (ISS) focusing on the fundamental physics of the universe.

On this mission, the crew of Space Shuttle Endeavour will install the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) experiment - a cosmic particle detector that utilizes the first ever superconducting magnet to be flown in space. By studying sub-atomic particles in the background cosmic radiation, and searching for anti-matter and dark-matter, it will help scientists better understand the evolution and properties of our universe.

The shape of the patch is inspired by the international atomic symbol, and represents the atom with orbiting electrons around the nucleus. The burst near the center refers to the big-bang theory and the origin of the universe.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour and ISS fly together into the sunrise over the limb of Earth, representing the dawn of a new age, understanding the nature of the universe.

posted 04-22-2010 10:11 AM               

Due to the nature of payload processing already discussed - the last flight isn't known. Plus until very recently, it was thought that STS-135 was a possibility. So the crews try to avoid any design that locks them into a emblem that could be inaccurate.

I remember when beginning the design process for Expedition 11 the ESA ATV first flight was a possibility. The illustration of that was removed early when the schedule slipped.

posted 04-28-2010 04:56 AM               

But there's still talk in some circles that 135 will fly. So depending on which vehicle is assigned for it - 132, 133 or 134 may not be that vehicles final flight.

As for Exp 25: at the time it was designed, they expected to be the last ISS crew to be visited by a shuttle. Now it looks like that might slip to Exp 26.

posted 04-28-2010 02:40 PM               

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Originally posted by dogcrew5369:
There is no hint of it being the last Endeavour flight or last shuttle flight in the 134 patch.

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Therefore, objectively, if one is acceptable as nod to its final flight, then the other should be, too.

Keep in mind though, that before NASA made the choice to change the flight order between STS-133 and STS-134, shuttle managers were also weighing swapping the two missions' orbiters.