The Mission Patch for Artemis II

​My husband was a teacher for 32 years in Joplin, Missouri and created a website over 15 years to document his classes, his adventures, and research.  He has many posts about things related to space exploration.  These posts have been recreated from his website, I strongly encourage you to take some time and browse his website.

4-5-2026

The mission patch for the crew of the Artemis II holds more meaning than one might initially see.  In addition to the names of the five astronauts, this pentagonal patch maps the route of the spacecraft around the earth and around the moon with a sweeping red curl.

That red curl also completes the prominent AII (That's an A along with the Roman numeral for the number two for Artemis II.).  The AII also creates the dual meaning in that it looks like the word all, making the statement that the mission to further space exploration is for everyone.

On the dark black backdrop of space, the scene of the earth and the moon is shown from the perspective of the dark side of the moon, highlighting a view of the earth from further away from home than mankind has ever journeyed.

​Interestingly, the clouded earth is shown on the patch exactly as photographed by Bill Anders on Apollo 8 way back in 1968.  This is highlighted when, at the midpoint of this flight, the patch will be turned with a new goal of returning to that big blue marble.

I understand that Gregory Manchess spent two years designing this patch.  It's simplicity is matched by its complexity, though I would have been tempted to add the vehicle somewhere on the design.

These mission patches have caught my attention of late because of my wife's involvement with Space Camp and the Endeavour Scholarship.  The symbolism or the reality displayed on the patches make for an interesting study of history and its connection with the future.

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