NASA Apollo Era Mission Control Patch

Just released by Spaceboosters – NASA Apollo Mission Control Embroidered Patch.


This patch is one of limited edition of only 200 patches. Full colour and fully embroidered – Limited Edition Apollo NASA Space Patch

Apollo Mission Control PatchWe have also had a small number autographed on the reverse side by NASA Apollo Flight Controller Sy Liebergot - Limited quantity of handsigned patches.NASA Apollo EECOM Sy Liebergot hand signed limited edition embroidered patch

For more information on Sy Liebergot and his book please visit: Sy Lybergot, Apollo Flight Controller and EECOM.

About the Mission Control Patch

The Mission Control Patch




This emblem was developed for the Mission Control team to recognize their unique contribution to the Manned Space Program. To date, we have flown 47 missions during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs. These missions have succeeded due to the efforts of the Mission Control Team.



In selecting the theme of the emblem we centered upon the Sigma as the dominant element. This sigma has been used once before on the Mercury 8 spacecraft. The sigma represents the total mission team. In addition, it represents the individual flight control teams from all programs past, present and future. Within the teams, it represents all engineering, scientific, and operations disciplines and tasks in support of the spacecraft and aircraft program elements. To a great extent, it can represent many other things as the benefits for all mankind that are possible through space.



The rocket launch represents the dynamic elements of space, the initial escape from our environment and the thrust to explore the universe. The energy of the program must be maintained by the mission team if the space goals are to be achieved.



The remaining elements are the Earth, planets and the stars. The Earth is our home and will forever be serviced by both manned and unmanned spacecrafts in order to improve the quality of life of our present home. The stars and planets represent a major source of scientific study as well as the challenge of exploration for the future mission control teams. At no time should we lower our sights below the quest for the stars, for only in this way are we challenged sufficiently to be better than we are.



The border of the patch contains symbols to represent the three major programs that have been supported by the team. The Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Programs have seen a succession of many great moments. These programs succeeded due to the dedication of the many people who formed the teams and committed their being to the team. The four stars represent the current and future programs: Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz Test program (ASTP), Earth Resources Aircraft Program, and the Shuttle. At the conclusion of these programs, modifications to the emblem will be made to replace the star with an appropriate symbol for the program.



The wording on the patch was chosen to stress the very positive attitude used by the Mission Control team to assure crew safety and mission success. “Achievement through Excellence” is the standard for our work. It represents an individual’s commitment to a belief, to craftsmanship and perseverance. With the above qualities, a positive approach is created that assures objective accomplishment and the return of the crew.



The emblem thus recognizes your contribution to history, and a commitment to current and future programs, and will assure continuity of the great teams of the past.



Eugene F. Kranz-1973

APOLLO 13 NASA Space Mission Insignia

Failure is not an option

Apollo 13 was supposed to land in the lunar region of Fra Mauro, but this landing site was later reassigned to Apollo 14.

At 46 hours, 43 minutes mission elapsed time, Joe Kerwin, the CAPCOM on duty, said, "The spacecraft is in real good shape as far as we are concerned. We're bored to tears down here." Nine hours, 12 minutes later, a Service Module oxygen tank blew up aboard Apollo 13. The Command Module's normal supply of electricity, light and water was lost, and they were about 321,869 kilometers (200,000 miles) from Earth.

James Lovell Jr. gasped, "Hey Houston, we've had a problem here." While looking outside, Lovell reported to Houston, "We are venting something out into the- into space". Jack Lousma, the CAPCOM replied, "Roger, we copy you venting." Lovell said, "It's a gas of some sort." It was oxygen gas escaping at a high rate from the second, and last, oxygen tank.

A formidable task ahead for both crew and ground control, plans now changed. The crew moved to the Lunar Module to escape the decreasing air pressure in the Service Module. The crew had to conserve food and water. To get around the Moon and then go home, the Lunar and Command Modules needed to conserve fuel.

Due to debris from the explosion, the navigation system was unreliable. The crew used the Sun as a navigation point to guide the crippled craft back to Earth. While enduring discomfort and little sleep, the crew moved back into the cold Command Module, then ejected both the Lunar and Service Modules. After re-entry, the crew landed safely in the Pacific Ocean almost four days after the explosion.

You have seen the movie...years ago but you can still purchase the Apollo 13 mission patch or the Apollo 13 Crew portraits both the original and final crew configurations.

Patchman

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