STS-39 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, crew insignia (logo), the official insignia of the NASA STS-39 mission, is an arrowhead shape which represents a skyward aim to learn more about our planet's atmosphere and space environment in support of the Department of Defense (DOD). Our national symbol is represented by the star constellation Aguila (the eagle) as its brightest star, Altair, lifts a protective canopy above Earth. The Space Shuttle encircles the spectrum which represents x-ray, ultraviolet, visible and infrared electromagnetic radiation to be measured by a variety of scientific instruments. Experiments will be operated within the payload bay (PLB) and aboard a free-flying satellite which will be deployed and retrieved during the mission. The names of the STS-39 flight crewmembers are located along the border of the patch. Each crewmember contributed to the design of the insignia.
