STS-45 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, crew insignia (logo), the official insignia of the NASA STS-45 mission, depicts the Space Shuttle launching from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) into a high inclination orbit. From this vantage point, the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science 1 (ATLAS-1) payload can view Earth, the sun, and their dynamic interactions against the background of space. Earth is prominently displayed and is the focus of the mission's space plasma physics and Earth sciences observations. The colors of the setting sun, measured by sensitive instruments, provide detailed information about ozone, carbon dioxide and other gases which determine Earth's climate and environment. Encircling the scene are the names of the flight crewmembers: Commander Charles F. Bolden, Pilot Brian Duffy, Mission Specialist (MS) C. Michael Foale, MS David C. Leestma, MS Kathryn D. Sullivan, Payload Specialist Dirk Frimout, and Payload Specialist Byron K. Lichtenberg. The additional star in the ring is to recognize Charles R. Chappell and Michael Lampton, alternate (backup) payload specialists, and the entire ATLAS-1 team for its dedication and support of this ''Mission to Planet Earth.'' Each crewmember contributed to the design of the insignia.
