STS-45 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, crew insignia

STS045-S-001 (October 1991) --- Designed by the crew members, the patch depicts the space shuttle launching from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) into a high inclination orbit. From this vantage point, the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) payload can view Earth, the sun, and their dynamic interactions against the background of space. Earth is prominently displayed and is the focus of the mission's space plasma physics and Earth sciences observations. The colors of the setting sun, measured by sensitive instruments, provide detailed information about ozone, carbon dioxide and other gases which determine Earth's climate and environment. Encircling the scene are the names of the flight crew members: Charles F. Bolden Jr., commander; Brian Duffy, pilot; C. Michael Foale, David C. Leestma, and Kathryn D. Sullivan, all mission specialists; Dirk Frimout and Byron K. Lichtenberg, payload specialists. The additional star in the ring is to recognize Charles R. Chappell and Michael Lampton, alternate payload specialists, and the entire ATLAS-1 team for its dedication and support of this "Mission to Planet Earth" (MTPE). The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA