posted 07-13-2025 01:34 PM               

In 1973, I began writing to astronauts asking if I might help design their patch. The Skylab mission patches had all been completed but that summer an issue arose during the second crewed increment with the RCS on the Service Module.

When Vance Brand and Don Lind were announced as the Skylab Rescue crew, I submitted two designs for their patch. I had in mind the Apollo 14 backup crew patch when I drew this “fun" design showing "Superman" bringing the Command Module home.

(As you know the mission was not necessary and the launch vehicle and spacecraft are now on display at the KSCVC.)

Fast forward to 2017 and I meet Vance Brand and his wife Beverly at Spacefest in Tucson. I greet them and say: "Sir you have no reason to remember this but in 1973 I sent you patch designs for the Skylab Rescue mission." His wife speaks up and says: "I know exactly where they are and when we return home I'll get our son to take them down from the attic." In September 2017, I received the package with the two drawings I had not seen in 44 years!

The photo here of Vance Brand and I in November, 2017 at KSC.

The drawing is done on sketch pad paper. It was made with pen, crayons and a black marker. It is 11.75 inches wide by 11.5 inches high. It was trimmed to fit in a Skylab scrapbook I created at the time.
It is in excellent condition. Thanks for looking.