MOD Emblem Description
Fall, 2004

Genesis

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.   From the book ‘Failure Is Not An Option’,
White FLIGHT tells the story of its genesis:

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.'

Over the next six months, McCall developed the emblem worn proudly by every subsequent generation of mission
controller. He inscribed his final rendering of the emblem: 'To Mission Control, with great respect and admiration,
Bob McCall 1973.'"

 

Mission Operations Directorate

As the Shuttle program completed its Orbital Flight Test program in 1983, the emblem was revised as the
Mission Operations Directorate was formed from the consolidation of Flight Control, Mission Control Center
facility, and Mission Planning and Design functions at the Johnson Space Center. 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 the contributions of the broader MOD team. The decision was made to retain all
of the other elements of the original design. A further revision was made in late 2004, with the artistic help of graphic
designer Mike Okuda, to incorporate the International Space Station into the design to recognize the achievements
and contributions of the team supporting that program.

Honoring our Past, Present, and Future

The emblem as depicted in the current version incorporates or retains elements that honor our past
achievements, fully recognize our present commitments, and place an eye toward the future. The following
summarizes the significant features for each:

At the top of the emblem, the Moon and Mars represent our future. It is taken as a given that mankind
will one day spread into the heavens, and these elements remind us of our intent to lead the way. The
wording “RES GESTA PER EXCELLENTIAM“ on the patch was chosen to stress the very positive attitude used
by the mission control team to assure crew safety and mission success.  “Achieve through Excellence“ is the
standard for our work.  It represents an individual's commitment to a belief, to craftsmanship, and to perseverance. 
With the above qualities, a positive approach is created that assures objective accomplishment and the return of the crew.

The central part of the emblem symbolizes our present responsibilities. The sigma (S) represents the total
mission team, including flight controllers, instructors, flight design and production specialists, facility
development and support teams, and management.  In addition, it represents the individual flight control teams
from all programs past, present, and future.  Within the teams, it represents all engineering, scientific, and operations
disciplines and tasks in support of the spacecraft and aircraft program elements, reminding us that the whole is
greater than the sum of its parts.

The Shuttle launch represents the dynamic elements of space, the initial escape from our environment, and the
thrust to explore the universe. The four stars on the Shuttle’s plume represent the basic principles of the flight
control team identified during the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs: Discipline, morale, toughness, and
competence.  Their place along the Shuttle’s plume reminds us that these are the foundation upon which
each mission is flown.  Other characteristics that have since been added to those core principles include
confidence, responsibility, and teamwork.  Each of these words comes into the flight controller's vocabulary
at critical points in their development.  In essence, these four stars and words are a continual reminder of the
personal characteristics that have made past programs successful and which can never be forgotten if we
are to succeed in the future.

The orbiting International Space Station symbolizes that man is now a permanent element in space, conducting
research and developing materials leading to the commercial utilization of the space environment.
The ISS is shown in its ‘assembly complete’ configuration to denote our focus and commitment to
achieving this goal.

The remaining elements are the Earth, the comet, and the stars. 

The Earth is our home and will forever be serviced by both manned and unmanned spacecrafts in
order to improve the quality of life of our present home. 

A single star is positioned over Houston on the representation of North America, the home of U.S.
human spaceflight operations and the first word transmitted from the surface of the moon.

The seventeen stars in the background represent our fallen astronauts, to whom in part we
dedicate our commitment to excellence.

The comet represents all those individuals who have given their lives for space exploration. 
It serves as a reminder of the risks inherent to space flight and recognizes that we of mission
operations provide the margin that makes the risk acceptable.

The bottom border of the patch contains symbols to represent the three early programs that have been
supported by the team.  The Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, joined by the Skylab and Apollo-Soyuz
Test Project, have seen a succession of many great moments.  These programs succeeded because of the
dedication of the many people who formed the teams and committed their being to the team.