lounge

The original STS-35 artwork differed significantly from the A-B Emblem STS-35" souvenir patch. A number of close reproductions by Cape Kennedy Medals and others have come close, but not matching the original prototype. In 2016, A-B Emblem, when stock of the older STS-35 patch ran out, produced a new version on their newer machines that more faithfully reflects the original artwork and prototype. This is the version currently on sale at their web site (as of September 2016). 

STS-61-F was a United States Space Shuttle mission planned to launch on 15 May 1986 using Challenger. It was cancelled after Challenger was destroyed earlier that year. he main objective of STS-61-F was to deploy the Ulysses solar probe, which would travel to Jupiter and use it as a gravitational slingshot in order to be placed into polar orbit around the Sun. This mission would have marked the first use of the Centaur-G liquid-fueled payload booster, which would also be used on the subsequent mission to send the Galileo probe in orbit around Jupiter.

This patch was produced by Randy Hunt. Limited to 50 items. 

STS-35 was the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, the 38th shuttle flight, and a mission devoted to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1, a Spacelab observatory consisting of four telescopes. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 2 December 1990.

An in-depth write up about various versions of the STS-35 patch and variations can be found here.

White border version, twill background (not fully-embroidered). Taped tail suggests Cape Kennedy Medals.

There is also a matching 3" version.

STS-35 was the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, the 38th shuttle flight, and a mission devoted to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1, a Spacelab observatory consisting of four telescopes. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 2 December 1990.

An in-depth write up about various versions of the STS-35 patch and variations can be found here.

The "Astro 1" lettering in this patch is smaller than in A-B Emblem version.

STS-26 was the 26th NASA Space Shuttle mission and the seventh flight of the Discovery orbiter. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 29 September 1988, and landed four days later on 3 October. STS-26 was declared the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 28 January 1986. It was the first mission since STS-9 to use the original STS numbering system, the first to have all its crew members wear pressure suits for launch and landing since STS-4, and the first mission with bail-out capacity since STS-4. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew mission since Apollo 11, with all of its crew members having flown at least one prior mission.

This 4" version of the STS-26 patch was manufactured by Swissartex Emblem Inc. of Asheville, NC. 28814. 

STS-35 was the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, the 38th shuttle flight, and a mission devoted to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1, a Spacelab observatory consisting of four telescopes. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 2 December 1990.

An in-depth write up about the A-B Emblem version of the STS-35 patch and variations can be found here.

STS-35 was the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, the 38th shuttle flight, and a mission devoted to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1, a Spacelab observatory consisting of four telescopes. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 2 December 1990.

An in-depth write up about the A-B Emblem version of the STS-35 patch and variations can be found here.

This patch has a white inner border, a trait of the original artwork of the STS-35 emblem. The stars are noticebly smaller in this version than the other 'white border' version and uses a smaller typeface for the names.

STS-35 was the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, the 38th shuttle flight, and a mission devoted to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1, a Spacelab observatory consisting of four telescopes. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 2 December 1990.

An in-depth write up about the A-B Emblem version of the STS-35 patch and variations can be found here.

This patch has a white inner border, a trait of the original artwork of the STS-35 emblem.

STS-35 was the tenth flight of Space Shuttle Columbia, the 38th shuttle flight, and a mission devoted to astronomical observations with ASTRO-1, a Spacelab observatory consisting of four telescopes. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 2 December 1990.

An in-depth write up about the A-B Emblem version of the STS-35 patch and variations can be found here.

GE Astro commemorates the STS-26 return to space.

STS-26 was the 26th NASA Space Shuttle mission and the seventh flight of the Discovery orbiter. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 29 September 1988, and landed four days later on 3 October. STS-26 was declared the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 28 January 1986. It was the first mission since STS-9 to use the original STS numbering system, the first to have all its crew members wear pressure suits for launch and landing since STS-4, and the first mission with bail-out capacity since STS-4. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew mission since Apollo 11, with all of its crew members having flown at least one prior mission.

This 3" version of the STS-26 patch was manufactured by Swissartex Emblem Inc. of Asheville, NC. 28814. if it has a webbed & vacuum sealed backing to it. Also known with 'gold' stars instead of 'silver' stars like the two 4" versions of this patch. This 3" patch is fully embroidered. 

STS-26 was the 26th NASA Space Shuttle mission and the seventh flight of the Discovery orbiter. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 29 September 1988, and landed four days later on 3 October. STS-26 was declared the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 28 January 1986. It was the first mission since STS-9 to use the original STS numbering system, the first to have all its crew members wear pressure suits for launch and landing since STS-4, and the first mission with bail-out capacity since STS-4. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew mission since Apollo 11, with all of its crew members having flown at least one prior mission.

This is a modern-era patch, with stitching joining the letters, and most noticibly: yellow stars

STS-26 was the 26th NASA Space Shuttle mission and the seventh flight of the Discovery orbiter. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 29 September 1988, and landed four days later on 3 October. STS-26 was declared the "Return to Flight" mission, being the first mission after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of 28 January 1986. It was the first mission since STS-9 to use the original STS numbering system, the first to have all its crew members wear pressure suits for launch and landing since STS-4, and the first mission with bail-out capacity since STS-4. STS-26 was also the first all-veteran crew mission since Apollo 11, with all of its crew members having flown at least one prior mission.

  STS-51-I was the 20th mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the sixth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. During the mission, Discovery deployed three communications satellites into orbit. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 August 1985, and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 3 September.

I am unsure of the maker of this patch. It appears very similar to the A-B version however, the lettering is thicker. The stitching is exquisite.

STS-51-I was the 20th mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the sixth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. During the mission, Discovery deployed three communications satellites into orbit. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 August 1985, and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 3 September.

This is a modern-style embroidered patch, may have a bare cloth back.  Quality is not bad aside from the stitching joinging all letter elements. The bow shock line is very thin.

STS-51-I was the 20th mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the sixth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. During the mission, Discovery deployed three communications satellites into orbit. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 August 1985, and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 3 September.

The Swissartex is virtually identical to the A-B Emblem version, however some suble differences exist. The "Y" in Covey is taller than the preceding "E", the stars tend to crowd in to the "NG" in Engle and the stars are ever so slightly larger. 

For this Swissartex STS-51I patch there are two versions manufactured by Swissartex Emblem Inc. A waxy matt plastic coated backing, or a vacuum sealed backing. The modern version of this patch is manufactured by Eagle Crest Emblem Inc. of Taiwan, which has a clear shiny plastic coated backing.

STS-51-I was the 20th mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the sixth flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. During the mission, Discovery deployed three communications satellites into orbit. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 27 August 1985, and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 3 September.

First flight after the Challenger mishap, GE Astro commemorative patch.