Logos in

Mission COntrol

The evolution of identity.
The continuity of purpose.

Over the decades, the organizations and responsibilities within Mission Control have evolved. So too have the logos that represented them. From the early days of the Apollo Program to today, each emblem reflects the mission, the people, and their commitment to excellence.

An Evolution of Focus. One Mission.

While the names and emblems changed, the commitment remained the same: safe, successful missions.

Mission Control

1973-1983

The MOD emblem was originally developed for the mission control team in 1973 to recognize their unique contribution to the manned space program, from Mercury, though Gemini, to Apollo.

Highlights

  • Apollo imagery front-and-center
  • Sun and Moon represents Apollo legacy
  • “RES GESTA PER EXCELLENTIAM“
  • Sigma represents the total mission team

Mission Operations

1983-2014

The Shuttle vehicle became a centerpiece of the design, and the banner changed from “Mission Control” to “Mission Operations” to inspire not only flight controllers, but also the contributions of the broader MOD team.

Highlights

  • Prominent Space Shuttle imagery
  • Moon and Mars represent past and future
  • Program icons updated at the bottom
  • International Space Station added

Flight Operations

2014-present

The logo is now vehicle/program agnostic and continues to build upon successes of the past while reaching boldly into the future.  This patch continues to represent the entire operations directorate and teams.

Highlights

  • Future-facing iconography
  • Moon and Mars still clearly represented
  • Program icons updated at the bottom
  • Permanent human presence in space

The logo origin story

As told by Gene Kranz, in "Failure Is Not An Option":

As the [last Apollo] mission went forward, I felt increasingly frustrated and melancholy. I would often sit in the corner of the viewing room, silently watching the teams at work... I also thought about the legacy of my generation: trust, values, teamwork.

I wanted to be a living connection between the new generation of mission controllers, reminding them of how and where it all started with my generation and where theirs might take us in the future.

Bob McCall, in my belief the premier artist of space, had been sitting on the step to the right of the Flight Director console, sketching during the final Apollo EVAs. He had designed the Apollo 17 crew patch. When Bob took a break for a cup of coffee, I joined him in the cafeteria...

I don't think Bob was surprised when I asked him to design an emblem for the Mission Control team. I spoke emotionally, from my heart and gut, about the control teams and crews, and our life in Mission Control.

We fought and won the race in space and listened to the cries of the Apollo 1 crew. With great resolve and personal anger, we picked up the pieces, pounded them together, and went on the attack again. We were the ones in the trenches of space and with only the tools of leadership, trust, and teamwork, we contained the risks and made the conquest of space possible.

In the mid-1990s, there was a major upgrade of Mission Control from the old Apollo-era consoles and computer systems to a more modern, distributed system.   A new logo was quietly introduced.

It had a very "Star-Trek" feel to it, and while I thought it was cool enough, there were a lot of divided opinions on it.  During that time and for a short while after, this updated MCC logo was used on various official documents.  It appeared mostly on internal items.  I don't remember too many external viewings of it. 

It's still seen in the MCC, but the official logo was always the more traditional logo presented here.

The Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Shuttle, MIR, and ISS programs are represented in the legacy ring on the bottom border, commemorating programs for which we have and continue to operate in space. On the upper border is the wording “Res Gesta Per Excellentiam” — “Achieve through Excellence” — which is the standard for our work. It represents an individual’s commitment to a belief, to craftsmanship, and to perseverance, qualities required to continue the exploration of space and the quest for the stars.

The white stars in the background represent the four original principles of the Flight Operations team: discipline, morale, toughness, and competence. Today’s core principles also include confidence, responsibility, teamwork and vigilance. Each of these words comes into the vocabulary of Flight Operations personnel at critical points in their development and is key to our operations and leadership culture.

The seventeen blue stars represent our fallen astronauts, to whom in part we dedicate our commitment to excellence. These symbols serve as a reminder of the real human cost and risks inherent to space flight and the ultimate responsibility the Flight Operations team bears in facing those risks.

Different names.  Different logos.  Same Purpose.

The people of Mission Control continue a proud tradition of excellence, innovation, and teamwork... supporting every mission, every astronaut, every time.