posted 02-21-2011 08:04 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by FullThrottle:
Will I still be able to get the old version at Kennedy Space Center this week or are they "off the shelves"?

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posted 03-01-2011 06:30 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by GoesTo11:
Distribution of these items was already so wide that they'll probably never be rare...

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Apparently, having already exhausted their budget on the production of Kopra-version products, the NASA centers and their exchange stores did not order corrected pins with the exception of a very small supply out of headquarters. In fact, most of the flight directors and others you see briefing the media or in Mission Control are still wearing the Kopra-version pin.

The official NASA Bowen-version pin is not like the earlier Kopra pin. It is not a cloisonné pin but rather a "photo dome" with the patch artwork printed and then sealed in epoxy. The back of the pin is inscribed with "STS-133," "NASA" and "Made in the USA."

It is still to be seen if this "photo dome" version will remain in production and become more readily available as time goes on or if it was only a quick solution to be replaced by the more usual Winco-supplied cloisonné pin.

posted 03-07-2011 07:06 AM               

Late artist's final art orbits as last patch for space shuttle Discovery

Space shuttle Discovery's final crew left their mark on the International Space Station Sunday prior to departing the orbiting laboratory today.

Participating in a tradition established by previous visiting crews, the six astronauts added their mission's insignia to the station's wall and then signed their names around the decal. The simple act signified the successful conclusion of their goals while onboard the space station...

The addition of the red, orange, and blue patch, which the crew also wore on their pressure suits, polo shirts, and on the pair of suits used for the flight's two spacewalks, also represented the final contribution by a famed space artist to the visual history of the United States' space program.

posted 03-07-2011 04:45 PM               

One thing I want to make clear to everyone is this. None of the patch designs I have been involoved with since STS-126 would be possible with out the support and incredible talent of Jorge Cartes.

Most of the time I am the point of contact with the crew because I live next to KSC and I contact as many crews as I can with the offer to work with them.

All of the drafts you see in this article were polished by Jorge and include his deft touch. My raw designs would not be as attractive if Jorge was not there to make them shine.

Together we have been very fortunate and have fulfilled our childhood dreams more times than either of us ever thought possible. It's been almost an "embarassment of riches." But it is the result of hours of hard work on both sides of the Atlantic.