Cosmonaut Pavel V. Vinogradov (center), Expedition 13 commander representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams (right), NASA space station science officer and flight engineer, and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter of Germany pause from their training schedule to pose for their official crew portrait. Vinogradov and Williams are scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station in early spring of this year in a Soyuz TMA-8 spacecraft. Reiter, the second flight engineer for Expedition 13, is scheduled to launch on space shuttle mission STS-121 in July and will join Vinogradov and Williams already on the space station. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center/NASA

 

 

This patch commemorates the thirteenth expeditionary mission to the International Space Station (ISS) which continues the permanent human presence in space. The ISS is depicted in its configuration at the start of the six-month expedition with trailing elements from the country flags representing each of the three crew members. The crew members made the following statement about their patch: "The dynamic trajectory of the space station against the background of the Earth, Mars, and the Moon symbolizes the vision for human space exploration beyond Earth orbit and the critical role that the ISS plays in the fulfilment of that vision."

 

 

Variations on the International Space Station Mission patch included a two flag version below.

 

 

 

 

International Space Station - Expedition 12 Mission Patch

The Expedition 12 patch represents both mankind's permanent presence in space and future dreams of exploration. The International Space Station (ISS), featured prominently in the center, will continue to grow in its capability as a world-class laboratory and test bed for exploration. The vision of exploration is depicted by the moon and Mars. The star symbolizes mankind's destiny in space and is a tribute to the space explorers who have been lost in its pursuit. The Roman numeral XII in the background signifies the 12th expeditionary mission to the ISS.

 

Astronaut William S. McArthur, Jr. (left), Expedition 12 Mission Insignia commander and NASA Space Station science officer, and cosmonaut Valery I. Tokarev, flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, pause from their training schedule to pose for their official crew portrait at Johnson Space Center (JSC). The two were launched to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz TMA-7 spacecraft.

 

 

 

 

International Space Station- Expedition 11

The emblem of the eleventh expedition to the International Space Station (ISS) emphasizes the roles of the United States and the Russian Federation in the multinational ISS partnership. The two rocket plumes, in the style of the flags of these two nations, represent the Russian Soyuz vehicles and the American Space Shuttles. The ISS image shows the configuration of the orbiting Station at the start of the expedition, with docked Soyuz and Progress vehicles and the huge American solar panels. The names of the two crew members are shown on the margin of the patch. ISS Commander Sergei Krikalev and John Phillips, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, are expected to launch on a Soyuz vehicle and to be in orbit during the return to flight of the Space Shuttle. The crew explains, “The beauty of our home planet and the vivid contrasts of the space environment are shown by the blue and green Earth with the Space Station orbiting overhead, and by the bright stars, dark sky, and dazzling sun.”

 

 



Cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev (left), Expedition 11 commander representing Russia's Federal Space Agency; and astronaut John L. Phillips, NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, pause from their training schedule for a crew portrait at Johnson Space Center (JSC). The two were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in a Soyuz TMA-6 spacecraft.

 

 

ISS Expedition 10

The Expedition 10 patch uses simple symbolism to describe the mission. The large Roman numeral "X," formed by the American and Russian flags, symbolizes the joint nature of this mission, as well as the fact that this flight is the 10th mission to stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The current configuration of the ISS is next to the name of the ISS Commander, while the Soyuz vehicle is placed next to the name of the Soyuz Commander. The single star and the black background signify this is a space mission.

 

 

The crewmembers for Expedition 10 take a break from training in the United States, Russia and other venues to pose for their crew portrait. Astronaut Leroy Chiao, left, is commander and NASA ISS science officer. Cosmonaut Salizhan S. Sharipov, representing Russia’s Federal Space Agency, is flight engineer.

Expedition 9 - ISS Mission

Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke (left), Expedition 9 NASA ISS science officer and flight engineer, and cosmonaut Gennady I. Padalka, commander, pose for their crew portrait while in training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. Padalka represents the Russian Federal Space Agency.

 

 



Expedition 9 Mission Insignia

 

The emblem represents the Ninth Expedition to the International Space Station. The Soyuz rocket and letter "X" combine into the Roman numeral IX. The "X" evokes Exploration, which is at the core of the indivisible partnership of the two space pioneering nations. Research aboard ISS will lead to human exploration of the Moon and Mars. This pursuit is strengthened by the common memory of the astronauts and cosmonauts who gave their lives in this valiant endeavour. Their stars form the leading edge of the wings of the eagle spirit that embodies Human Space Flight. The Astronaut symbol is flanked by the Expedition 9 crew names leaning together, with a "9" stylized as the plume of their rocket. The baton of great discovery is passed to the crew of the spaceship advancing to their orbital outpost.

 

International Space Station Missions - Expanding the Final Frontier

Astronaut C. Michael Foale (right), Expedition 8 mission commander, and cosmonaut Alexander Y. Kaleri, flight engineer, pose for their crew portrait while in training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia for their scheduled launch in a Soyuz TMA-3 spacecraft later this year. Kaleri represents Rosaviakosmos.

 

A particular favourite of mine as the crew featured Briton Michael Foale.

 

 



The Expedition 8 Insignia

 

This emblem represents the eighth long-duration expedition to the International Space Station. The banner encircling the Earth, as a stylized figure 8, combines the flags of the partner nations represented by the crew. The International Space Station is portrayed above the Earth in its assembly complete configuration. The names of the two crewmembers, Michael Foale and Alexander Kaleri, are depicted in the border.

 

 

 

 

Missions to the International Space Station - Expedition 7

Expedition Seven Commander Yuri I. Malenchenko (left), and NASA ISS Science Officer and Flight Engineer Edward T. Lu pose for their crew portrait while in training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City. Russia prior to their flight. Malenchenko represents Rosaviakosmos, the Russian Aviation and Space Agency.

 

The Expedition 7 Insignia

 

The International Space Station (ISS) Expedition Seven patch consists of two elliptical orbits which evoke the histories of the two space programs from which the crew is drawn. The Russian and American flags are intersecting, representing the peaceful cooperation of the many countries contributing to the ISS. Two stars indicate the Station's goals of contributing to life on Earth through science and commerce.

 

 

 

Expedition 6 to the International Space Station

Astronauts Donald R. Pettit (left), Expedition Six flight engineer; Kenneth D. Bowersox, mission commander; and cosmonaut Nikolai M. Budarin, flight engineer, attired in training versions of the shuttle launch and entry suit, pause from their training schedule for a crew portrait. The three will be launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in late autumn of this year aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Budarin represents Rosaviakosmos.

 

 



The International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 6 crew patch depicts the station orbiting the Earth on its mission of international cooperation and scientific research. The Earth is placed in the center of the patch to emphasize that work conducted aboard this orbiting laboratory is intended to improve life on our home planet. The shape of the Space Station’s orbit symbolizes the role that experience gained from ISS will have on future exploration of our solar system and beyond. The American and Russian flags encircling the Earth represent the native countries of the Expedition 6 crew members, which are just two of the many participant countries contributing to the ISS and committed to the peaceful exploration of space.

 

 

ISS Expedition 5 Insignia

The International Space Station (ISS) Expedition Five patch depicts the Station in its completed configuration and represents the vision of mankind's first step as a permanent human presence in space. The United States and Russian flags are joined together in a Roman numeral V to represent both the nationalities of the crew and the fifth crew to live aboard the ISS. Crew members’ names are shown in the border of this patch. This increment encompasses a new phase in growth for the Station, with three Shuttle crews delivering critical components and building blocks to the ISS. To signify the participation of each crew member, the Shuttle is docked to the Station beneath a constellation of 17 stars symbolizing all those visiting and living aboard Station during this increment.

 



 

Cosmonaut Valery G. Korzun (left), Expedition Five mission commander, astronaut Peggy A. Whitson and cosmonaut Sergei Y. Treschev, both flight engineers, are photographed prior to a mission training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Korzun and Treschev represent Rosaviakosmos.

Expedition Patches Continued - ISS Expedition 4

The International Space Station (ISS) Expedition Four crew patch has an overall diamond shape, showing the "diamond in the rough" configuration of the Station during expedition four. The red hexagonal shape with stylized American and Russian flags represents the cross-sectional view of the S0 truss segment, which the crew will attach to the U.S. Lab Destiny. The persistent Sun shining on the Earth and Station represents the constant challenges that the crew and ground support team will face every day while operating the International Space Station, while shedding new light through daily research. The green portion of the Earth represents the fourth color in the visible spectrum and the black void of space represents humankind's constant quest to explore the unknown.

 

 

The International Space Station Expedition 4 insignia along with all of the other space station insignia in the form of patches, lapel pins, fridge magnets and key rings are available from the Spaceboosters Online Store.