STS-71 Patch
The STS-71 crew patch design depicts the Orbiter Atlantis in the process of the first international docking mission of the Space Shuttle with the Russian space station Mir. The names of the 10 astronauts and cosmonauts who will fly aboard the Orbiter are shown along the outer border of the patch. The rising Sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era of cooperation between the two countries. The vehicles Atlantis and Mir are shown in separate circles converging at the center of the emblem symbolizing the merger of the space programs of the two spacefaring nations. The flags of the United States and Russia emphasize the equal partnership of the mission. The joint program symbol at the lower center of the patch acknowledges the extensive contributions made by the Mission Control Centers of both countries.
The crew emblem was designed by aviation and space artist, Bob McCall, who also designed the crew patch for the Apollo-Soyuz project in 1975, the first international space docking mission.
