The ISS National Lab Unveils Mission Patch for First Sponsored Payload

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Designed by Renowned Artist Shepard Fairey

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (March 19, 2013) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab), the nonprofit organization promoting and managing research on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, unveiled its first sponsored payload mission patch, designed by renowned artist Shepard Fairey, at Engadget Expand in San Francisco, CA over the weekend.

Advancing Research Knowledge 1 (ARK1), originally known as Increment 37/38, is the first launch period sponsored by the ISS National Lab. ARK1 is scheduled to run from September 2013 through March 2014. Some planned payloads during this increment include award recipients from the ISS National Lab’ first Request for Proposals in protein crystallization, binary colloidal alloy tests with implications to product shelf life, and the education program, “Story Time From Space.” A number of mission patches will also be flown to the ISS to commemorate ARK1.

Shepard Fairey, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, is best known for his work through OBEY and the Barack Obama “HOPE” campaign in 2008.

“It’s a really special thing. I’m just flattered and honored that I could create something that becomes just a small symbol of how things can move forward. The excitement of the unknown. To be part of that, is really a cool thing,” said Shepard Fairey of Obey Giant/Studio Number One.

“The unveiling of this patch signifies a historic moment in the aerospace community, where a third-party entity is moving forward to send payloads to the ISS that will benefit all humankind,” said the ISS National Lab Interim Executive Director Jim Royston. “Having a gifted and celebrated artist like Shepard Fairey designing this significant patch allows the ISS National Lab to reach new audiences that will enhance our mission of promoting the National Lab.”

The ISS National Lab attended the Engadget Expand Conference in San Francisco in conjunction with promoting its partnership with the MassChallenge accelerator. Engadget’s Expand event provided the ideal forum to unveil the the ISS National Lab ARK1 mission patch to a tech-savy audience. To see more regarding our partnership with MassChallenge, see the release on the the ISS National Lab website: https://issnationallab.org/casis-and-masschallenge-announce-partnership-to-send-entrepreneurial-research-to-the-iss/.

Media Contacts:

Patrick O’Neill
the ISS National Lab
321-480-1054
POneill@issnationallab.org

Jay Strell
Sunshine Sachs
on behalf of Shepard Fairey
212-691-2800
strell@sunshinesachs.com

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