The subdued patch design is a tribute to the crew of the Space Shuttle Mission STS-107.

On February 1, 2003, after a successful science mission, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up in the skies over Texas and all of her crew were lost. This tragic event reminded the world that reaching out beyond our planet is still a difficult and dangerous undertaking.

This quietly understated emblem is freqently worn by those who continue the quest, so that the vision shared by Rick Husband. William McCool, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon will not be forgotten.