posted 04-02-2011 01:06 PM
This is in fact a Space Camp patch from the mid to late 80s. When Space Camp added a second program beyond the original program it was then called Space Camp Level 2. When a third program was added all program names were changed. Space Camp Level 1 just became Space Camp. Space Camp Level 2 became Space Academy Level 1. And the new more advanced program became Space Academy Level 2. Later Academy Level 1 just became Academy and Academy Level 2 became Advanced Space Academy, the current program titles.
This was a team patch from Space Camp Level 2.
A little more about I have discovered about this patch. I own three of them. There were four patches like this: Columbia, Discovery, Atlantis and Challenger. I have all but the Challenger patch.
I have only seen the Challenger version one place, it was in a display case during Space Camp's 25th anniversary. Someone told me Challenger patches may have been made but were not used because they came into use around the time of the accident but no one has ever confirmed this for me.
These are a neat piece of Space Camp history most people don't know about. There are a few old Space Camp pictures around from this era that show these patches worn on hats by trainees.