STS-54 Endeavour, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 105, crew insignia

STS054-S-001 (July 1992) --- Designed by the crew members, the STS-54 crew patch depicts our national symbol, the American bald eagle, soaring above the Earth; and represents the United States Space Shuttle as a national asset in service to America and the world. The eagle is clutching an eight pointed star in its talons and is placing this larger star among a constellation of four others representing the placement of the fifth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) into orbit among the four already in service. The blackness of space with stars conspicuously absent represents the mission?s other
primary objective in carrying the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer into orbit to conduct astronomical observations of x-ray sources within the galaxy and throughout the universe. The depiction of our planet showing the crew?s home continent of North America is an expression of their and NASA?s intention that the medical and scientific experiments conducted onboard are for the benefit of all mankind. The clouds and blue of the Earth represent the crew?s part in NASA?s Mission to Planet Earth in conducting Earth observation photography. The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced. Photo
credit: NASA