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Eileen Collins Honored with Signature Edition Patch
An exclusive embroidered patch paying tribute to the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft has been unveiled, featuring a striking geometric design that captures the essence of her historic space journey. The intricately embroidered patch represents the brilliance of Eileen Collins’ space shuttle ascending into the night sky, with diamond-shaped shards symbolizing both the shuttle’s liftoff and Collins’ groundbreaking achievement in shattering the metaphorical “glass ceiling.”
Created by the Space Hipsters group on Facebook, the Eileen Collins “Signature Edition” emblem includes the astronaut’s actual signature intricately sewn into the design, adding a personal touch to this commemorative piece. Proceeds from the sale of these patches will support Taking Up Space, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young Native American girls by sending them to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, providing them with opportunities to explore STEM fields and pursue their dreams.
Legendary Career and Achievements
Eileen Collins, the second woman ever to attend the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, made history when she was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1990. Her remarkable journey continued as she became the first woman to pilot a space shuttle mission, aboard STS-63 in 1995, and later embarked on another mission, STS-84, in 1997. These missions marked significant milestones, with STS-63 being the first shuttle flight to rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir, and STS-84 being the sixth shuttle mission to dock there.
In 1999, Collins reached new heights by becoming the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft, leading the STS-93 crew on a mission to deploy the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Following the tragic loss of space shuttle Columbia on a subsequent mission, Collins demonstrated exemplary leadership by commanding the STS-114 crew aboard shuttle Discovery, overseeing the orbiter fleet’s return to flight.
Throughout her illustrious career, Collins logged over 36 days in space across four missions, solidifying her legacy as the 21st U.S. woman in space and the 27th worldwide. Her pioneering spirit and dedication to space exploration have inspired countless individuals around the globe.
Symbolism and Tribute
The Signature Edition patch honoring Eileen Collins depicts her iconic STS-93 launch, featuring stars in its border representing each of her shuttle missions. Additionally, the design pays homage to other trailblazing women in space exploration, including Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, Sally Ride, the first U.S. female astronaut, and astronauts Judy Resnik, Christa McAuliffe, Kalpana Chawla, and Laurel Clark, who tragically lost their lives in the pursuit of spaceflight.
Produced by A-B Emblem, the same company that supplies NASA, the Collins patch is available in several editions, including limited “gold” and “silver” variants, each meticulously crafted to embody the essence of Collins’ remarkable achievements. These exclusive patches are now available for collectors and space enthusiasts alike, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of space history.
For those looking to support Taking Up Space and celebrate the legacy of Eileen Collins, the Signature Edition patch is a meaningful keepsake that honors the enduring legacy of women in space exploration.
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