Crew-13 Astronauts Embrace the Number 13 with New Mission Patch
With new patch design, the Crew-13 astronauts clearly aren't superstitious
Ars Technica
Image: Ars Technica
NASA's Crew-13 mission, launching in mid-September, marks the first crewed mission numbered 13 since the infamous Apollo 13. The mission patch pays homage to Apollo 13 while symbolizing future exploration to the Moon and Mars, featuring a golden dragon and elements reminiscent of the original insignia.
- 01Crew-13 is NASA's first mission numbered 13 since Apollo 13's troubled flight in 1970.
- 02The mission will launch in mid-September aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
- 03Crew members include Jessica Watkins, Luke Delaney, Joshua Kutryk, and Sergey Teteryatnikov.
- 04The mission patch honors Apollo 13 while symbolizing advancements in space exploration.
- 05Crew-13 will conduct scientific investigations to prepare for future lunar and Martian missions.
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NASA's Crew-13 mission, set to launch in mid-September 2023, is notable for being the first crewed mission numbered 13 since the Apollo 13 mission, which faced significant challenges on its journey to the Moon in 1970. The crew consists of Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney from NASA, Joshua Kutryk from the Canadian Space Agency, and Sergey Teteryatnikov from Roscosmos. They will travel aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Expeditions 75 and 76, returning to Earth after approximately five months. The Crew-13 mission patch creatively incorporates elements from the Apollo 13 insignia, featuring a golden dragon that symbolizes the SpaceX capsule and a connection to the past. This design reflects a commitment to future exploration, aiming to prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars while benefiting life on Earth. The patch's design elements, such as Roman numerals for 13 and the absence of crew names, echo the historical insignia while emphasizing collaboration in space exploration.
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The Crew-13 mission will advance scientific research and technology that could benefit future space exploration and potentially improve life on Earth.
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