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Author
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Topic: STS-133 / Discovery mission patch
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 11, 2010 06:05 PM
   
High resolution. Credit: NASA STS-133 mission patchThe STS-133 mission patch is based upon sketches from the late artist Robert McCall; they were the final creations of his long and prodigious career. In the foreground, a solitary orbiter ascends into a dark blue sky above a roiling fiery plume. A spray of stars surrounds the orbiter and a top lit crescent forms the background behind the ascent. The mission number, STS-133, is emblazoned on the patch center, and crewmembers' names are listed on a sky-blue border around the scene. The Shuttle Discovery is depicted ascending on a plume of flame as if it is just beginning a mission. However it is just the orbiter, without boosters or an external tank, as it would be at mission's end. This is to signify Discovery's completion of its operational life and the beginning of its new role as a symbol of NASA's and the nation's proud legacy in human spaceflight. collectSPACE's own Tim Gagnon and Jorge Cartes were selected by the crew to complete the patch after McCall's passing. |
Space Emblem Art
Member Posts: 149
From: Citrus Heights, CA - USA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted June 11, 2010 06:34 PM
Tim and Jorge, That you were chosen to pick up Robert McCall's torch just about sums up the esteem in which you are held in this field and among the astronauts. Bravo! |
Tom
Member Posts: 1127
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted June 11, 2010 08:12 PM
Tim, Jorge...CONGRATULATIONS!
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NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 582
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted June 11, 2010 08:22 PM
As far as the patch goes, I like the design. It reminds me of STS-26, very simple and clean. As for Tim and Jorge, well done!!!!! |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 644
From: Denver, CO USA
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted June 11, 2010 08:32 PM
WOW. Congratulations, Tim and Jorge. I can only imagine what an honor it must have been to be chosen to create the final Shuttle patch. I commend you on the elegant simplicity and power of your design, and on the visual poetry of your homage to the work of the late, great Robert McCall....And the circle is closed. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 820
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted June 11, 2010 08:54 PM
It's nice. I'm not used to Robert McCall's work (never saw it before or if I did I didn't know it was his) so the image of the shuttle did not sit with me for a bit but I like it. |
Guillaume
Member Posts: 42
From: France
Registered: Apr 2010
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posted June 11, 2010 09:18 PM
Am I the only one who sees a little yellow "T" and a little yellow "J" in the plume?  |
Henry Heatherbank
Member Posts: 103
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted June 12, 2010 02:33 AM
I like the subtle links to the STS-1 patch as well, given the orbiter ascending against the backdrop of the Earth, and the use of the yellow/orange plume colours at the base of the patch. Not sure whether this was intended by McCall (not having seen the unfinished early sketches), or a tribute added by the crew when adapting the sketches after McCall's death.Given the STS-1 patch, the STS-133 patch is a very befitting patch with which to bring the Shuttle program to a close. Don't know about other people, but I didn't like the use of the same colours on the STS-131, 132 and 134 patches (even though they are all very good). Too visually similar when viewed together. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2300
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted June 12, 2010 04:49 AM
Thanks for all those who emailed me and to everyone for their comments above.Back in 1973 when I began writing to astronauts asking if I might design their mission patch, the (always polite) reply was while they appreciated my interest, they had already chosen an artist to work with. Many times, that artist was Robert McCall. Finally in 1982 I wrote to Mr. McCall to ask his advice. He replied with words that at the time seemed somewhat ambiguous because I was hoping for step-by-step instructions. Over the years my appreciation for his advice and his work grew. So to have been asked by the crew to finish what Mr. McCall started was especially gratifying. Of course I couldn't have done it without the help of my little brother from Madrid. We placed the large gold 4-pointed star in the design as a tribute to Mr. McCall and opposite it you'll see two small 4 pointed stars for our involvement. Oh and yes, there is a "T" & "J" in the plume. Tim |
SpaceAngel
Member Posts: 65
From: Maryland
Registered: May 2010
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posted June 12, 2010 08:41 AM
I still wish "Discovery" would be the shuttle to fly on NASA's final shuttle mission. If only management will make the decision on swapping the orbiters or the mission... |
Mike Z
Member Posts: 384
From: Ellicott City, Maryland
Registered: Dec 2005
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posted June 12, 2010 12:31 PM
Tim and Jorge, CONGRATULATIONS on yet another job well done! Now you are standing with a true legend. I'm sure Mr. McCall is looking down and smiling. This has to be the greatest honor for a space artist!! |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 728
From: Ajax , Ontario, Canada,
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted June 12, 2010 01:26 PM
I like the clean design. What a great honor being chosen to complete the patch. All three are artists I admire greatly.Any idea when this patch will be available? Beautiful work. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 849
From: Tucson, AZ USA
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted June 12, 2010 03:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Fezman92:
It's nice. I'm not used to Robert McCall's work (never saw it before or if I did I didn't know it was his)
Ever seen 2001: A Space Odyssey? Here is the program cover for his funeral in March:  |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 406
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted June 13, 2010 07:11 AM
Thank you guys. Tim has told you all that I could say. Really it has been a great honour for us, and I'm proud to be choosen for it and for work with my big brother. Cheers Tim |
PowerCat
Member Posts: 137
From: Herington, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted June 13, 2010 07:41 AM
Tim and Jorge: I also send my congratulations on a wonderful patch design. Having seen a mural that Robert McCall completed at the Kansas Cosmosphere, you have taken his final thoughts and ideas and created a final memory of the shuttle program that will be long remembered. |
Harald Kraenzel
Member Posts: 253
From: Dinslaken,Germany
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted June 13, 2010 04:48 PM
Tim and Jorge, it must indeed be a great honor to design the STS-133 mission patch using the sketches made by the late Robert McCall. But finally it's the earnings for having designed some previous nice patches choosen by the astronauts.Congratulation! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 14, 2010 03:51 PM
If a picture speaks a thousand words, this photo captures three decades of history...
Please do not reproduce without permission or until released by NASA. Credit: NASA (via source). |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 365
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted June 14, 2010 04:12 PM
Wow... now THAT'S pretty damn cool. And let me just add my own congratulations, to Tim and Jorge for their wonderful work and for the honor they've been given, to those of everyone else here! I can't wait to have the patch in hand. |
Tom
Member Posts: 1127
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted June 14, 2010 04:21 PM
Robert, great photo! Do you know if the STS-1 crew also posed with the (planned) last shuttle crew of STS-134? |
buckeyecal
Member Posts: 56
From: soon to be Boise, ID USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted June 14, 2010 04:31 PM
Just noticed... dig the "throwback" polo shirts with the NASA worm logotype! NICE...(maybe they should pose in those old brown suits that John and Crip wore!) |
328KF
Member Posts: 609
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted June 14, 2010 10:26 PM
They should have all worn turtlenecks. Great shot... |
OV-105
Member Posts: 527
From: Ridgecrest, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted June 21, 2010 04:39 PM
I like the patch. I think the only thing I would have liked to see is Discovery under the STS-133 like Columbia on the STS-1 or drop the STS-133 and just have Discovery. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2300
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted June 21, 2010 06:39 PM
Some of the earlier drafts included the name of the orbiter but the crew decided to remove it in the event it changed. |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 406
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted June 21, 2010 11:25 PM
Well... We tried to make the Earth as a big "D" And we got it. Here is hidden the ship name guys. |
OV-105
Member Posts: 527
From: Ridgecrest, CA USA
Registered: Sep 2000
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posted June 26, 2010 04:08 AM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
Some of the earlier drafts included the name of the orbiter but the crew decided to remove it in the event it changed.
Too bad you can not post them here. It would be great to see. Once we got to see them then they would end up on eBay like all of the end of program finalist patch ideas. |
KenDavis
Member Posts: 168
From: W.Sussex United Kingdom
Registered: May 2003
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posted June 26, 2010 04:38 PM
How about some copies of that photo signed by all! |
history in miniature
Member Posts: 346
From: Slatington, PA U.S.A.
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted June 26, 2010 07:00 PM
Tim and Jorge Congratulations, a little late sorry. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted June 26, 2010 09:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Tom:
Do you know if the STS-1 crew also posed with the (planned) last shuttle crew of STS-134?
Not sure about the whole crew but Mark Kelly shared a photo through Twitter of him with him Young. |
lucspace
Member Posts: 224
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted July 21, 2010 03:36 PM
Utterly confused about on-again, off-again STS-135... but if it happens, the STS-133 patch will not be for the final flight. Or will it become the STS-135 patch because it was destined to be the final one?Love the design, by the way! |
hoorenz
Member Posts: 536
From: The Netherlands
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted July 21, 2010 03:44 PM
quote:
Originally posted by lucspace:
Or will it become the STS-135 patch because it was destined to be the final one?
McCall's original sketch had the words 'final flight.' They were removed at the request of the crew. So I think they will stick to their patch! Jorge? Tim? |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2300
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted July 21, 2010 03:53 PM
Luc (and everyone else who has contacted us) Thanks for the kind words about the design. The 133 patch is for that mission whenever it flies, whether it's the final flight or not. If 135 is approved it will more than likely be the final flight and I'm sure that crew will have their own ideas how their patch should look. |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 406
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted July 21, 2010 05:26 PM
I wish to agree with my brother Tim in thanking all of you for your comments. And about a possible 135... I would like it will fly: so we can have another opportunity to be chosen for making its patch!  |
lucspace
Member Posts: 224
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted August 02, 2010 07:16 PM
If this is the official AB-Emblem version, I am not too thrilled about the outcome... some unofficial ones currently on eBay are much closer to the actual artwork... |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 406
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted August 03, 2010 06:06 AM
I hope it will be not... |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 582
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted August 03, 2010 07:44 AM
Oh man, that's bad. AB can do a better job than that. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 23493
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted August 03, 2010 01:08 PM
By way of Tim (thanks!) comes the actual AB Emblem (prototype) patch -- the patch posted by the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex was in error (they also have the same art as below but posted the wrong image). |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 1011
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted August 03, 2010 01:56 PM
Just came to the realization that when the shuttle missions end so do these mini tapestries. Just wanted to thank all who have had a hand in designing and producing these art forms, they will be missed as much as the missions they represented. |
lucspace
Member Posts: 224
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted August 03, 2010 02:43 PM
Now, that IS a relief! |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 406
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted August 16, 2010 12:55 PM
Just now I've got mine... And it is the same which Tim did show us: very beautiful final work. (Thank you so much Joseph!) |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2300
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted August 17, 2010 01:51 PM
I visited KSC today and was dismayed to find that the patch KSC (still has) on their website is in fact the patch they offer in the store.I checked the reverse and it is in fact an AB Emblem patch per the product number label. I've contacted AB to express my concern. I'll post again when I have a response. On edit: AB Emblem's response: ...some of the emblems went out with the "nice" shuttle on it initially, and all customers are aware of this and that all future orders are to have the stylized (McCall) shuttle. |
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