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Author
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Topic: VisitHouston Apollo 11 50th anniversary patch
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-18-2019 07:44 PM
   
Space Center Houston release Apollo 11 anniversary patch design announcedSpace Center Houston partnered with VisitHouston to develop a patch commemorating the anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Houston-area artists competed to create a design inspired by the original Apollo 11 mission patch. The winning patch was designed by Doug Litteken. Denise and Michael Okuda assisted Litteken in the final design. The Okudas worked as designers for the iconic sci-fi series Star Trek and have published multiple novels about the show. Michael has also designed several NASA patches and emblems. About the patch  The winning patch highlights the moon landing as well as Houston’s role in the historic mission. As the home to Mission Control, “Houston” was the first word spoken on the moon. When the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, named Eagle, landed on the surface of the moon, astronaut Neil Armstrong said, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” The Lunar Module is also visible in the background of the patch along the horizon of the moon. NASA uses metals, especially gold to protect equipment and astronauts from heat or thermal radiation, hence the gold lunar lander and gold helmet visor in the patch design. In space, heat is transmitted from the Sun in the form of infrared radiation (IR). The gold helps to block or reflect the IR to keep objects from getting very hot. The gold on face shields protect the astronauts from the intense IR of sunlight. The gold on an astronaut’s visor reflects almost all IR, but allows about 60% of light to pass through. Other metals like aluminum and silver work well too, but they can corrode whereas gold does not. The astronaut in the foreground of the patch resembles the extraordinary photos Armstrong took of fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the lunar surface. |
robtheblue
Member Posts: 57
From: Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK
Registered: Jun 2018
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posted 05-08-2019 12:20 PM
Have these appeared on sale anywhere yet? |
Kevin T. Randall
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 05-08-2019 01:56 PM
They have not been listed on the ShopNASA website JSC, Houston. But that doesn't mean they are not for sale in the gift center shop. They don't list everything on their website. (They received their patch order in from AB Emblem, this patch was not on the list of patches received.)This patch may be on sale at the JSC Houston, Space Traders gift shop? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-11-2019 03:38 PM
I have not seen an embroidered patch, but the guests at Space Center Houston's Galaxy Gala each received a lapel pin. |
lucspace
Member Posts: 403
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 05-11-2019 05:07 PM
It seems to be available online. Own a piece of history with this one-time-only run.  |
robtheblue
Member Posts: 57
From: Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK
Registered: Jun 2018
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posted 05-12-2019 01:42 AM
Thanks for the link Luc, I'll be ordering one of those to go alongside your own design. |
Liembo
Member Posts: 583
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 05-12-2019 11:07 PM
Looks like a 2 1/2" or 3" patch? It's too bad it's not 4" they might have been able to use bolder embroidery for the "The Eagle Has Landed" text.
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robtheblue
Member Posts: 57
From: Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK
Registered: Jun 2018
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posted 05-16-2019 06:40 AM
I decided against buying one of these. The poor detail and the likelihood that it's a 3" patch were disappointing, but the shipping fee of $20 to the UK really put me off. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-17-2019 09:54 AM
The patch is 2.5 inches diameter and comes with a Velcro backing. It is of solid construction but, as pointed out, the small size does affect the clarity of the text. |
robtheblue
Member Posts: 57
From: Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK
Registered: Jun 2018
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posted 06-22-2019 04:03 AM
I've just noticed on eBay these have been created as a 4" patch too. |
p51
Member Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 06-22-2019 10:22 AM
I guess I have to ask the question, why is the flag two shades of grey, without even any Stripes? I understand the lack of detail and that they probably couldn't put a lot of detail under the flag itself, but why not at least try to represent the color? |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 396
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 06-22-2019 12:43 PM
50 years of aging has turned it gray? (bad joke  ) |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2019 01:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by robtheblue:
...created as a 4" patch too.
The 4" patch is now for sale at the SpaceTrader Gift Shop at Space Center Houston (product no. 745358948146; $6.99). The patch is made by AB Emblem (design code 409933, date code 5/19/40, made in China).(SpaceTraders has a new website, though this patch has yet to be added.)  |
Kevin T. Randall
Member Posts: 1082
From: Chesham, Bucks UK
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 06-22-2019 02:47 PM
They only list/sell six different patches in total on their new website, and don't sell to anyone outside the USA and Canada. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-22-2019 03:38 PM
They may still be able to process an order if you contact them by phone or email. quote:
Originally posted by p51:
...why is the flag two shades of grey, without even any Stripes?
I reached out to Mike Okuda, who helped finalize the emblem's design, with your question. Without speaking for the artist (Doug Litteken), he said: For myself, I feel that in graphic design, constraining the color palette can often help to make a design simpler, clearer, and more powerful. In this particular case, the artist's design made it very clear that it is the American flag, even without the use of an additional color. |
Jouett
Member Posts: 53
From: Fishers, IN, USA
Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 06-27-2019 06:40 AM
Called on Monday and ordered this patch. The store clerk was so helpful. She texted me pictures of the patches I was interested in while we were talking on the phone. Patches are to be delivered today. Can't wait! |
robtheblue
Member Posts: 57
From: Market Harborough, Leicestershire, UK
Registered: Jun 2018
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posted 06-29-2019 07:58 AM
Received mine this morning, really glad they produced it in the larger size - looks great  |
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