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Author
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Topic: Best and worst shuttle mission patches
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John K. Rochester
Member Posts: 1292
From: Rochester, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-14-2006 11:24 AM
   
I was looking at the vast array of STS mission patches and thought I'd share what I believe to be the best designs: STS-36, STS-41G. The worst designs: STS-43, STS-68.Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, that bland STS-43 makes me shiver every time. STS-41G, Jon McBride did a tremendous job on the design! |
PowerCat
Member Posts: 214
From: Herington, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 12-14-2006 11:52 AM
My best patch would be STS-71, the first docking mission to MIR. My worst patch would be STS-43. |
Moonbase Alphan
Member Posts: 135
From: Space City, Texas
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 12-14-2006 01:46 PM
I've always been partial to STS-43 with its clean graphic design of the Mercury capsule outline, the shuttle plan view, gold TDRS and the blue hues.My top picks though would be ones like STS-98, STS-108, and STS-90. For me the worst is easily STS-65 - for many reasons, not the least of which is that it's the only patch not to have blue in it. Other designs I find lacking are STS-38, STS-83/94 and 61-B. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3207
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 12-14-2006 04:34 PM
I find many of the modern patch designs crowded and awkward but of course the early missions had it easy with simple mission statements and small crews.I still like STS-2's elegantly simple Eagle/flag design, and STS-51D did another nice job incorporating the flag. Of course using the stars and stripes can sometimes look loud and tacky too - STS-50 falls into this trap in my opinion. I also like the simplicity of STS-27 and a nicely-executed STS-41 looks good too. My least-favourite patches? I always found STS-51C with its black and red color scheme and imperial eagle to be a bit sinister. Angular patch shapes always strike me as clunky too - STS-70 suffers from this but the worst offender is STS-112 which combines a clunky shape with a dull color scheme. If ever there was a patch that looks like it was designed by an engineer this is it... |
aerospace educator
unregistered
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posted 12-14-2006 06:03 PM
Although I am still looking for a favourite Shuttle emblem, my least favourite (until another one comes to mind) has to be the ever grey, ever dull STS 51-J. Even the Payload Specialist thinks it "Pailes" in comparison. |
FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 12-14-2006 08:51 PM
I have the big poster with all of the mission patches on my bedroom door, so it was easy to pick them out.Best: STS-41D, STS-43, STS-51A, STS-79, STS-81, STS-114. Worst: STS-4, STS-29, STS-45, STS-49, STS-68, STS-75, STS-77 |
pargoo
Member Posts: 67
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 12-14-2006 10:06 PM
Roughly in order...Love: STS-51F, 51-L, 27, 41, 56, 57, 51, 88, 95 Loathe: STS-87, 69, 45, 53, 35, 40, 51-D |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 3061
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 12-15-2006 08:46 PM
My two cents about previous mentions (neither agreeing or disagreeing):51C is supposed to look "imperial" as it is based on the DoD Emblem. If you look at Apollo 16 you can see Mattingly's influence here too. My patch background is dark blue. Like 51B because it was designed by Don Lind's daughter and he waited 19 years to fly. Like the orbiter on 51F. Thought they over-relied on the Flag as background for 61B and 51L. Loved 26, 36 and 39 (also STS-39 crew picture still the best one). Least favorite 58 and 65. Although 65 is supposed to be using Marine Corps colors in honor of the CDR. Love 71 and 41B (anything by McCall) and 89, 90. Unimpressed with 95 (it should have been so much better). Having been involved in the process, I've learned that each design is a personal statement of the crew. They take great pride in that project and often it's given to the rookie(s) on the flight to do or coordinate. They prefer simple designs over elaborate ones. Although I can appreciate Expedition 3 and 9 even though there are many many design elements in both. So I don't hate any of them. Some I just like better. |
David Stephenson
Member Posts: 294
From: England
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 12-16-2006 04:25 PM
Best: STS-7, STS-19, STS-30, STS-34, STS-32, STS-40, STS-49, STS-109, STS-110, STS-112.Worst: STS-13 (41G), STS-14 (51G), STS-36, STS-33, STS-58 |
kyra
Member Posts: 599
From: Louisville CO US
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 12-16-2006 07:31 PM
I really like them all, but I have a few favorites. I have a thing for symmetry and the shapes that are not just circular or oval.STS-1 "Keyhole"
STS-6 Hexagon, with Challenger leaping out
(very sentimental, patriotic)
STS-41D Circular, but I love the blues !
STS-34 nice vivid colors on Lions version
STS-43 Beautiful shading and symbology
STS-48 very clever lines, Picasso-like
STS-62 Sunrise
STS-58 DNA
STS-78 Shuttle as Phoenix bird
STS-101 has motion There are sometimes subtle symbologies that can make a patch very special to a crew. Even one that might be your least favorite can take on a new meaning when you study the background of the crew and the designer (often in the crew). My all time favorite patch is non-shuttle - Gemini 10 original designed by Barbara Young. |
Space Emblem Art
Member Posts: 197
From: Citrus Heights, CA - USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-17-2006 12:25 AM
With such a large amount of shuttle patches it can be tough to narrow down a best and a worst but here's my picks for some ones I like and some not as hot.I like: STS-60, the way the flags fan out with the centerpiece shuttle. STS-95 - Tim, we view this one differently. While you've commented that it should have been much more, its simplicity and subtlety makes is more powerful than if more were added - from the generational connection of the Mercury and Shuttle eras, the contrasts between the large centerpiece shuttle and tiny Friendship 7, and the crescent earth, all striking in my opinion. As we know, sometimes less is more. I think it worked well here. STS-109 - I just like the view portrayed here. I'm not crazy about: STS-69, 73 and 87, and for some reason every time I see the STS-54 patch I think of the U.S. Post Office. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3466
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 12-17-2006 09:00 AM
I've always been partial to the STS-62 patch... simple, neat diamond shape design. |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 800
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 12-17-2006 10:25 AM
Since there's some folks who design mission emblems (and, for all I know, some astronauts who had a hand in creating them) reading in, I'll not list any "worst" mission emblems, and instead just mention the ones I thought were neat or somehow worked especially well or just stood out:STS-1: will always be a classic. I like it for design reasons and for sentimental reasons. STS-2 and STS-51E: I group 'em together because of Joe Engle and the eagle motif. I liked the design of STS-2's, and I loved the in-flight eagle on -51E's. Both very nice. STS-60's was beautifully executed, a lot of meaning in an elegant design. STS-75's emblem was neat; I guess I liked it because the design was "different" and the upper/lowercase crew names in sans-serif was also a neat, unusual touch. STS-107's emblem was very eye-pleasing, and had a lot of elements that were nicely grouped together and worked well. A beautiful design. I'm also partial to STS-114's emblem, as redesigned after STS-107. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 12-17-2006 12:09 PM
I don't hate any of the patches, but I would have to say my least favorites are:51J, 47, 58, 68, 74, and 78. I also tend not to like the patches that overuse the flag. The astronauts already wear the flag, so it seems like redundancy to also wear it prominently in the patch as well. Some may disgree, however. My favorites have a bit of an artistic flair to them...are somewhat simple overall, but elegant in their design: 31, 45, 61, 69, 75, 90 (perhaps the best), and 95. My favorite Gemini patch is Gemini X and my favorite Apollo patch (and the best patch of all time) is Apollo 8. Lovell really hit the nail on the head with that design. |
OV-105
Member Posts: 907
From: Ridgecrest, CA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 12-21-2006 12:17 PM
For best there are too many I can think of. The worst to me is STS-35, Astro-1. It maybe because I liked their first patch for STS-61E so much more. |
Raptor79
Member Posts: 53
From: Australia
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-14-2011 04:59 PM
What are your favourite shuttle emblems?I think the best looking shuttle patch was STS-107. Others favourites are STS-1 and STS-127. Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Henry Heatherbank
Member Posts: 314
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-15-2011 04:08 AM
Best: STS 2, STS 51-I (simple, elegant, uncluttered)Worst: 129 (terrible). |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 760
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 03-15-2011 04:30 AM
Simply the best designs are the Robert McCall designs. His artistry stands the test of time. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1500
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-15-2011 02:16 PM
Never liked STS-45 or STS-81. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1370
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 03-15-2011 02:22 PM
Well, there's no accounting for taste in such matters... but I do think there were some "duds," especially in the -40s and -50s.I will say that a few years ago, I would never have guessed that several of my faves would come at the tail end of the program, including my all-time favorite... STS-133. As you can probably guess, I'll give a hearty "second" to dogcrew on Robert McCall's fantastic work.  |
Raptor79
Member Posts: 53
From: Australia
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-15-2011 08:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by dogcrew5369:
Simply the best designs are the Robert McCall designs. His artistry stands the test of time.
His paintings are amazing. I would like to see McCall's space mural 'A Cosmic View' someday. |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 664
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 03-16-2011 07:24 AM
I've always said that if the crew likes their patch, I like their patch. However, I do like some more than others:Really like: STS-1, 3, 9, 41D, 51A, 51C (I like the DoD seal look), 26, 30, 32, 49, 71, 70 (love the Block-O shape GO BUCKS!), 72, 90, 98, 109, 114, 122, 125, 127, 131, 133 Not as much: STS-51G, 51F, 51J, 27, 33, 37, 43, 48, 56, 62, 64, 68, 75, 80, 113, 121, 118, |
issman1
Member Posts: 1111
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-16-2011 07:50 AM
Best: STS-8. Why? Very colourful and evocative, like a shuttle launch.Worst: STS-61. Why? For one of the most critical shuttle missions ever flown, the patch lacks any narrative compared to the subsequent HST servicing missions. |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 664
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 03-16-2011 08:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
For one of the most critical shuttle missions ever flown, the patch lacks any narrative compared to the subsequent HST servicing missions.
Really? I always thought that the properly focused light ray in the center of the patch (the eye shaped area) pretty much says it all. |
issman1
Member Posts: 1111
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-16-2011 08:55 AM
The focus should have been on the mission itself, which featured multiple EVAs. Someone criticized STS-129 even though it includes the Moon and Mars as potential future destinations beyond ISS. That's what STS-61 lacks in gravitas. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51278
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-16-2011 10:30 AM
The primary purpose of the STS-61 mission was to correct Hubble's eyesight, so I've always found the patch to be quite appropriate and among my personal favorites (but then I could also be biased as my father was an optometrist and the patch's representation of the optical alignment was a familiar graphic from his office...). |
issman1
Member Posts: 1111
From: UK
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 03-16-2011 12:00 PM
I don't wish to offend anyone's sentiments, it's just my personal opinion. Though the STS-61 patch may not be my favourite, the mission is. It was a memorable flight which I followed with intense scrutiny (like most others no doubt).Not only was its success a watershed for human spaceflight (in LEO) but included my all-time favourite NASA astronaut, Dr. Story Musgrave. |
cddfspace
Member Posts: 638
From: Morris County, NJ, USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 03-16-2011 12:49 PM
Story actually told me that the entire crew designed the STS-61 patch (which may be why it is a little busy). His input were the two solid gold lines stretching out and meeting the Star. These, he said were Man's arms reaching out into space to explore the stars. |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 664
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 03-16-2011 12:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by issman1:
I don't wish to offend anyone's sentiments, it's just my personal opinion.
No offense taken, and I concur with Robert's assessment of the patch symbolism vs mission objectives. He said it way better than me. |
J.L
Member Posts: 694
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 03-16-2011 01:08 PM
Obviously, the only way this best/worst patch question can be solved is for Robert to initiate "Patch Madness" ...based on basketball's "March Madness". Put all shuttle patches in contest brackets and take votes. The winners can all "play" against each other until an eventual best patch is crowned. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51278
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-16-2011 01:16 PM
You know what? I really like that idea! I'm going to see about making it happen in time for the last shuttle flight in June... |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1500
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-16-2011 01:57 PM
STS-1 should be the number 1 seed, in my opinion. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1370
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 03-16-2011 05:12 PM
Good luck seeding that "tournament," Robert...  It'll be both fun and interesting for us if you pull it off though! |
robsouth
Member Posts: 769
From: West Midlands, UK
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 03-16-2011 06:14 PM
The STS-2 and STS-51I patches are up there in my opinion. |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 760
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 03-16-2011 06:53 PM
Besides just loving the McCall patches I have come up with my top 15 faves and dislikes in no particular order.Favorites are STS-1, 41-B, 41-D, 51-I, 26, 36, 49, 71, 76, 100, 109, 127, 131, 132 and 133. Dislikes are 61-B, 33, 38, 35, 39, 48, 56, 51, 58, 64, 73, 78, 85, 87 and 91. In my opinion, the three-way tie for worst is between 38, 85 and 87. 85 really makes my eyes hurt and the other two look ridiculous to me. What surprises me is nobody mentions the crazy mess that is on display with the STS-85 patch. You can't even read Tryggvason without 3-D glasses and there are about a million things going on with it. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1370
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 03-16-2011 08:27 PM
"Patch Madness" (Can you tell I'm excited about this?)My idea: First, have the cS community choose a "field" of 64 Shuttle mission patches. Why 64? Until a few years ago, 64 was the number of teams in the NCAA hoops tournament, it allows for even single-elimination pairing, and it obviously represents just under half of the total program patches. Start by putting together a cS page showing all 135 patches, with a box allowing members to click on each one that they want in the "tournament"...maximum 64, and you only vote once on each. Robert would then take the 64 highest vote-getters and seed/bracket them by whatever methodology he chooses (including breaking any ties for the last slot). We would then vote on each "matchup" (again, only once). Last patch standing wins. There'd be plenty of grousing over some members' favorites that didn't make the field or in their opinion were given unfavorable matchups...but that just makes it more realistic!  |
Raptor79
Member Posts: 53
From: Australia
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-16-2011 08:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by dogcrew5369:
In my opinion, the three-way tie for worst is between 38, 85 and 87.
I agree, that STS-87 is a shocker.I still say STS-107 had the best mission insignia. I like how the patch is in the shape of a shuttle. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1370
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 03-16-2011 09:20 PM
quote:
I still say STS-107 had the best mission insignia. I like how the patch is in the shape of a shuttle.
I agree. Even with no emotions involved (that is, if Columbia had returned safely), 107 would still be one of my favorites.
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Gilbert
Member Posts: 1500
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-17-2011 07:24 AM
I agree that 85 and 87 are overly cluttered, but I kinda like 38. |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 664
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 03-17-2011 08:40 AM
I love the Patch Mania tournament idea! But I'm thinking that we should exclude 51L and 107 from the voting and declare them "past champions" or something like that due to their unique status. Thoughts? |
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