STS-61-C Mission Patch - NASA Space Shuttle Columbia Crew Emblem #2009745 (License: Personal Use)

This circular mission patch depicts the Space Shuttle Columbia in orbit against a blue sky, overlaid with red, yellow, and orange arcs symbolizing launch trajectory. The names of the five crew members-Gibson, Bolden, Hawley, Chang-Díaz, and Cenker-are inscribed on black ribbons, with the American flag and stars representing national pride and space exploration. The patch was flown aboard STS-61-C, the 24th NASA Space Shuttle mission, which launched on January 12, 1986.

Used on NASA archival pages, space history exhibits, and collector sites; matches user intent for researching STS-61-C, astronaut bios, or vintage space mission insignia.