NASA Photo ID: STS053(S)001       File Name: 10065367.gif 
 
Film Type: 35mm CN                Date Taken: 12/09/92 
 
Title: STS-53 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, crew insignia 
 
Description: 
 
STS-53 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, crew insignia (logo), the  
official insignia of the NASA STS-53 mission, shows OV-103 rising to new  
achievements as it trails the symbol of the Astronaut office against a  
backdrop of the American flag.  The five stars and three stripes also serve  
to symbolize the mission designation (STS-53) and America's continuing  
commitment to world leadership in space.  The pentagonal shape of the patch  
represents the Department of Defense (DOD) and its support of the Space  
Shuttle Program.  The band delineating the flag from space includes the 
four  colors of the military services of the crewmembers.  The names of the 
flight  crewmembers are located along the border of the patch.  They are 
Commander  David M. Walker, Pilot Robert D. Cabana, Mission Specialist (MS) 
Guion S.  Bluford, MS James S. Voss, and MS Michael R. U. Clifford.  Each 
crewmember  contributed to the design of the insignia.