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NASA Meatball Logo Patch
NASA Meatball Logo Patch
NASA Meatball Logo Patch
NASA Meatball Logo Patch

NASA Meatball Logo Patch

Code: PFGNA45
£4.95 Inc. VAT
£4.13 Ex. VAT
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A 3" wide woven patch bearing the famous blue meatball NASA logo. Supplied on a gift card

Symbols of NASA

NASA logo
The NASA insignia is one of the agency's best-known symbols.
Credits: NASA

From the wing of the space shuttle to the top of the NASA homepage, the agency's official insignia is probably its best-known symbol.

The round red, white and blue insignia, nicknamed the "meatball," was designed by employee James Modarelli in 1959, NASA's second year. The design incorporates references to different aspects of the mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The round shape of the insignia represents a planet. The stars represent space. The red v-shaped vector represents aeronautics. The circular orbit around the agency's name represents space travel.

NASA 'worm' insignia
NASA used the "worm" logo from 1975 until 1992.
Credits: NASA

After it was introduced, the "meatball" was the most common symbol of NASA for 16 years, but in 1975 NASA decided to create a more "modern" logo. That logo, which consisted of the word "NASA" in a unique type style, was nicknamed the "worm." That logo was retired in 1992, and the classic meatball insignia has been the most common agency symbol since.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration seal
The NASA seal is used for formal agency events.
Credits: NASA

In addition to the insignia, NASA has another official symbol. If the meatball is the everyday face of NASA, the NASA seal is the dressed-up version. The NASA administrator uses the seal for formal purposes such as award presentations and ceremonies. Like the meatball insignia, the seal also includes planet, stars, orbit and vector elements.

STS-1 mission patch
Shuttle crews design patches for their missions, like this one used for the very first shuttle launch.
Credits: NASA

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