posted January 13, 2006 12:04 PM            

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Originally posted by MSS:
Does somebody have this picture?

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posted January 13, 2006 12:07 PM            

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Originally posted by HouseDadX4:
So when can we expect to see this one be made available?

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posted January 13, 2006 05:36 PM               

I am disappointed of this new turn in events patch-wise. I would be less so if Panchenko would consider making them standard (for a reasonable 4.95 like AB).

With Exp 12, while they wore his patches, the official emblem was at least produced by AB; but I imagine that in this case, Panchenko owns the copyright. So I wonder if AB will make it at all.

posted January 14, 2006 03:27 PM               

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Originally posted by Mike Z:
It used to be FUN & INEXPENSIVE collecting space patches.

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Patches are still available in the $5 range but if you want "official" then AB Emblem isn't the only game in town anymore.

You can probably bet that if the ISS mission has a Russian Commander, then Panchenko will design the emblem. You've got to give the man credit - he has embraced capitalisim and worked to establish a very good relationship with the Cosmonaut Corps. But yes Pachenko could offer a $5 patch (minus the autograph).

No one is more surprised and grateful that Sergei Krikalev let John Phillips handle that chore than I am. But I know that the Expedition 14 CDR is working with JSC graphics folks on that mission patch.

posted January 14, 2006 03:48 PM               

Note that by asking this, I am neither advocating or discouraging such a situation, but rather trying to gauge how strongly collectors feel about the issue.

posted January 15, 2006 06:04 PM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
For those who value their hobby, is this worth another Apollo 15 cover-like scandal?

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I think the concern stated by those of us who collect patches is that with multiple patches for one flight - what is "official"? We just want to share in the mission by including that patch in our collections.

With Expedtion 13/TMA 8 do we in America collect the Jeff Williams version, collectors in Russia, the Vinogradov version? Or are we "forced" to collect both because we want complete collections?

I have no problem whatsoever in cosmonauts and astronauts for that matter making money on patches or any other flown items. After all they are putting their lives on the line.

Can you post the appropriate section of the ISS Code of Conduct you referred to?

posted January 15, 2006 09:14 PM               

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Originally posted by KSCartist:
Can you post the appropriate section of the ISS Code of Conduct you referred to?

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quote:

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C. Use of Position

ISS crewmembers shall refrain from any use of the position of ISS crewmember that is motivated, or has the appearance of being motivated, by private gain, including financial gain, for himself or herself or other persons or entities. Performance of ISS duties shall not be considered to be motivated by private gain. Furthermore, no ISS crewmember shall use the position of ISS crewmember in any way to coerce, or give the appearance of coercing, another person to provide any financial benefit to himself or herself or other persons or entities.

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Panchenko, to my knowledge, is the first patch designer for a crewed mission to also market such patches and specifically warn against others doing so.

posted January 16, 2006 11:36 PM               

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
A hypothetical question for those collectors upset with the current trend: if putting a stop to this meant sacrificing the careers of one or more respected cosmonauts (and perhaps even astronauts) would it be worth it?

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This is a money issue for everyone! Alex wants to make money, the Cosmonaut or astronaut would like the same I am sure, but just because he is photographed with the artist designing the patch does not make the person suspect. Our astronauts work on their mission patches with an artist, does the cosmonaut not do the same?

I believe collectors want a quality patch that is of the Official design for the mission it signifies, and we want it at a fair price. If the persons selling these patches now are asking too much then wait! I have yet to see a mission that a patch isn't available for at a fair price as time for launch comes about. Autographed patches are going to cost more and it's up to the collectors to decide if the autograph is worth the price asked. Patches or any item only sells for what people are willing to pay and its proven in auctions and on eBay everyday. If people feel they are too expensive then the price will come down if the seller intends to sell anything.

posted January 23, 2006 08:56 AM            

In TMA-5 Sharipov wore the Marc Jacobs patch in a pre-flight photo, then went on to wear Pachenkos patch during flight.

In TMA-6 all cosmonauts wore the "pre-flight" patch but then a they all wore the "new" patch during fllight.

Now in TMA-8 there was a Panchenko patch worn in a pre-flight photo but now THREE new patches have been declared "official".

What is going on? Do the cosmonauts / astronauts just slap on any patch they're handed during photo shoots?

Also if team members have personal patches like the Pontes one above, why personalise the TMA and Exp patches?

posted January 23, 2006 06:37 PM               

On TMA-6 when the crew sat for that portrait they were given that patch to wear.

Apparently the Panchenko wasn't ready yet. For the launch they wore the new Panchenko because Krikalev worked with Panchenko to design the one they wore.

Having an individual patch is a long standing tradition in the cosmonaut corps. You may have seen that even Norm Thagard and Bonnie Dunbar had one during the Shuttle-Mir program. Canadian, Japanese and ESA astronauts have all had one also.

"Personalizing" the "official" crew patch is a new trend for Panchenko. Like Robert mentioned above: "why make one when you can make two (or three) for double the price".

I hope this trend goes away. I think the crew patch should be identical for the entire crew. The whole idea is to encourage "espirit de corps" for the crew as well as the people who support the mission.

Hope this info helps.

posted January 24, 2006 09:26 AM            

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Originally posted by KSCartist:
John, I understand your disappointment - but I can shed a bit of light on the trend.

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At this stage it's not even two different designers competing to have their patch adopted, it's not the official NASA approved patch versus the patch designed by the cosmonauts' friend and worn during the flight. It's Panchenko vs. Panchenko.

If Alex is reading this I too would like to hear the reason for all the patches.

posted January 24, 2006 02:26 PM               

I hope not.

posted January 24, 2006 03:56 PM               

Pokey, it's interesting that the TMA-8 patch in that picture is the blue-outlined version. They're both wearing it. Maybe that can be considered the official TMA-8 patch then?

As big an issue for me as the troublig trend of multiple patches per mission, is the proliferation of replica patches that aren't identified as replicas. I know in the early years of my collecting habit, I purchased replicas thinking that they were the genuine flight patches. I wonder how many others have done this. It took me a long time to be savvy enough to spot the fakes from the real.

Don't get me wrong - there are many nice replicas out there, and the fact is that owning some of the originals is next to impossible. But I wish dealers were more careful to identify them as replicas, and price them accordingly. At least when you buy patches from Alex, you know you're getting authentic items.

I wonder how others feel about this?

posted January 24, 2006 05:24 PM               

FYI, I bought an ISS-12 pin from the JSC gift shop and it's the NASA version (the one on their crew photo) but the names aren't on it. Looks sort of abstract and clutter-free with the names gone. I can't recall any NASA pins with the names missing. I did a quick look to see if I could see it on the JSC gift shop web page but I couldn't find it.

posted February 05, 2006 10:54 AM               

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Originally posted by MSS:
What is the name of M.C. Pontes programme of Brazilian experiments during his mission on ISS next Match?

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posted February 07, 2006 06:06 PM               

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At this time, [NASA is] ordering only a limited amount of emblems, because there may be another crew member added to the team. This in turn, would add another name to the emblem... We plan at this time to make only those for which we have orders.

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