Alphan Graphics: Uniform Patches


	MOONBASE ALPHA CREST	ANDROMEDA PATCH
	The official symbol of Moonbase Alpha. Used to identify all Alphan spacecraft; also seen on clothing such as jackets, space suits (at both shoulders), and recreational attire (as seen in The Last Sunset). This patch may be worn by all Moonbase Alpha personnel, and was kept with great pride by those who had finished their tours of duty on the moon base prior to Breakaway. DISTRIBUTION: Main Mission Command REPRESENTATIONS: The trapezoid shape is a key Alphan symbol, and can even be seen in the shape of moon base storage containers. DIMENSIONS: Top width 1-3/4"; bottom width 4"; height (measured at center, bottom to top) 2-5/8".	Medical officers who were involved in the Andromeda research project are entitled to wear this patch. The Andromeda team was established to conduct extensive studies of the physical, psychological, and social effects of prolonged space travel and life in space, such as on Moonbase Alpha. Dr. Helena Russell worked as director of the team just prior to her assignment to Alpha. She continued her research once she became established on the base. DISTRIBUTION: Interspace Research Commission REPRESENTATIONS: The triangle represents the three areas of study and is incorporated into the "A" (for Andromeda) symbol. DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter


	ASTRONAUTS' CREST	LSRO PATCH
	Worn on Earth as well as on Moonbase Alpha, this patch was presented to graduates in basic space flight training, and is often worn throughout one's space career for good luck. DISTRIBUTION: Various space training centers on Earth REPRESENTATIONS: The round shape represents the universe. The small circle represents Earth. The triangle depicts the outward direction leading into space, and is also suggestive of the shape of early jets. DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter	Official patch of the Lunar Space Research Organization, the technical branch of Moonbase Alpha. This patch is worn by those directly involved with laboratory research, communications, and experimentation in the space sciences. Generally worn just below the identification badge on standard uniforms, it is also occasionally worn on jackets and other apparel by those not primarily involved with research. DISTRIBUTION: Alpha Technical Section (Laboratory) REPRESENTATIONS: The Lunar Space Research Organization was one of Alpha's largest sections from the earliest days of the moon base. DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter

UNIVERSE PATCH

A symbol of the Interspace Research Commission, several differently worded versions of this patch were issued. The Universe patch functions more or less as a decorative patch, though it is sometimes worn by technical personnel for regulation.

DISTRIBUTION:
Interspace Research Commission
REPRESENTATIONS:
The graphic illustrates Earth's sun (solar system), mankind's reaching out to other solar systems in pursuit of knowledge, and the vastness and untapped potential of never-ending space.
DIMENSIONS:
3" diameter

REPRESENTATIVE SYMBOLIC TEXTS:

In Aeternum in Limine

Latin for "Forever on the Threshold", the text refers to the fact that because of the vast reaches of outer space, the knowledge to be gained from its study will always remain endless, and so we are forever at the beginning of a new chapter of discovery and, hopefully, understanding.

Planispharum Calesta

While the exact text used on the patches in Space: 1999 read Planispharum Calesta, the actual Latin would read Planisphaerium Caelestem (starry vault). The actual text for this patch was probably inspired by a similar logo used on the helmets and spacesuits sleeves in MGM's 2001: A Space Odyssey.


	A. M. TECHNICAL PATCH	SECURITY PATCH
	Worn by technical personnel in research sciences such as mineralogy, geology, archaeology, engineering, etc. The archaeological faction was comprised of several individuals covering the possibility of past life on the moon. These people were eventually to have been sent to distant planets to survey new finds. DISTRIBUTION: Alpha Technical Section (Exploration) REPRESENTATIONS: The numbers vary depending on the individual's field of specialty. In the graphic above, the 1 represents technical rank, 12 is the person's section number, 3 represents the specific Alphan department. "AM"' represents Alpha Moonbase. DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter	Issued only to Alphan Security force personnel with clearance to carry the Type II stun gun (equipped with both stun and kill settings as opposed to the standard Type I gun's stun only capability). While Alpha's Security Chief heads up the Alphan Security force, his more senior rank finds him wearing the LSRO patch instead of the lower level Security patch. DISTRIBUTION: Chief of Security (Weapons Section - Moonbase Alpha) DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter


	S. A. T. PATCH	DEEP SPACE PATCH
	A patch from the space program's middle years, still sometimes worn by Alphan personnel in remembrance of mankind's accomplishments in space, and the lives that were lost in putting us there. The discontinuance of the patch in the mid-1990s (in honor of those lost on a failed space mission) makes the S.A.T. patch all the more valuable to those who possess one. DISTRIBUTION: World Space Commission (no longer distributed) REPRESENTATIONS: Mankind's earliest rocket ship endeavors into space and the new worlds he hopes to reach and explore. DIMENSIONS: 3-3/4" high x 3" wide	The letters A. M. C. stand for Alpha Moonbase Courier. Worn by many of Alpha's best pilots; occasionally worn by other key personnel trained for deep space missions that would have originated on the moon. Sometimes worn on regulation uniforms by those primarily involved with deep space missions. DISTRIBUTION: Alpha Exploration Section REPRESENTATIONS: Largest circle is the moon. Continuing circles symbolize distant planets, the ultimate destination of Alpha's couriers. DIMENSIONS: 2-1/4" high x 3-1/2" wide

I. R. C. PATCH

EAGLE PATCH

Identifying patch for property of the Interspace Research Commission (IRC). Most prominently displayed on space suits and moon buggies, as well as on some Transporter Eagle passenger modules. On space suits, this patch appears on the left sleeve only, just about at elbow level. Unlike the Eagle patch at left, this patch is permanently attached to the space suit.

DISTRIBUTION:
No personal distribution
REPRESENTATIONS:
The upper left block represents galaxies known and unknown. The light spectrum color bands signify the Commission's wide spectrum of interests and research.
DIMENSIONS:
4" high x 6" wide

Worn at the mid-upper arm of the standard Alphan space suit, this patch identifies the suit as either standard equipment of (or temporarily assigned to) a specific spacecraft. Note that as space suits are generally assigned as needed and may end up on any number of Eagles during their useful life, this patch is an adhesive patch intended to last only for the duration of one's assignment. After completion of a mission, most space suits are turned in for inspection, repair if necessary, and reissue as needed. There are some exceptions where certain Alphans are assigned a suit of their own (Astronaut Mike Baxter in End of Eternity was one [and even Sandra Benes has one in her closet in The Last Enemy]), but generally space suits are issued on an as-needed basis throughout the base.

DISTRIBUTION:
No personal distribution
DIMENSIONS:
3" diameter

MEDICAL AID PROVIDER PATCH

V. J. C. PATCH

The Medical Aid Provider patch is worn by those Alphans certified with intermediate space First Aid training. While all Alphan personnel receive basic First Aid training, those with intermediate level training are qualified to begin medical procedures until a doctor can assume responsibility for the patient. Worn on regulation uniforms, this patch symbolizes a nurse or Medical Center technician. When worn sideways on jackets, etc. the patch indicates those with the above-stated level of training but who are not primarily involved in medicine.

DISTRIBUTION:
World Space Commission Medical Center
REPRESENTATIONS:
The single graphic provides dual representations: (1) The thin long shape in the center represents a virus within a vial (the surrounding shape). The vial is contained by a "cap" of medical knowledge; and (2) the graphic is a severe abstraction of the human face-an allusion to the humanity of the aid provider who wears it, and by extension, of mankind itself.
DIMENSIONS:
3" diameter

On the V.J.C. patch, the letters stand for Verbinski-Jacobsen Celestia. Dr. Joseph Verbinski and Dr. Blair Jacobsen were among the earliest planners of Moonbase Alpha, as well as its programs of operation. They had worked as a team for many years on Earth studying the relationship between space travel and changes in human behavior, especially sleep patterns. Their ultimate goal was to see man go into deep space, hence Celestia. The patch is worn by those who volunteered to assist in various aspects of the studies. It also appears as a tribute to the two doctors on regulation Medical Center clothing and Moonbase Alpha slumber apparel.

DISTRIBUTION:
Interspace Research Commission
DIMENSIONS:
3/4" high x 2" wide


	ANTI-CONTAMINATION PATCH	ORIGINAL EAGLE PATCH
	Special designation on protective clothing indicating the item meets all current anti-contamination safety standards and has been certified safe for use. (Worn by Dr. Helena Russell in Dorzak to board Sahala's "plague"-ridden ship.) DISTRIBUTION: Base Services Section (no personal distribution) DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter	The patch shown above was presented to astronauts who transported supplies during the earliest years of Alpha, after the Transporter Eagle replaced the earlier Falcon shuttle as Moonbase Alpha's primary workhorse spacecraft. Phased out in favor of a newer, more informative design, the original patch still appears in a sort of honorary capacity on various articles of clothing, including special anti-radiation space suits (as seen in Seance Spectre). DISTRIBUTION: International Lunar Finance Commission REPRESENTATIONS: Moon rising behind Earth and the early, tenuous outreach of mankind into space (the successively further reaching spheres). DIMENSIONS: 3" diameter

IN GRATITUDE:

Roberto Baldassari and Robert Ruiz would like to thank Mare Ganea Fitzgerald and Keith Young for their contributions to this exhibit. Mare researched the meanings of most of the patches shown here in 1979. Since then, Keith has contributed to the basic text for his Alpha Technical Data Center publications. Roberto Baldassari and Robert Ruiz expanded and modified the text very slightly in 1997 for presentation in this exhibit. We would both like to thank Mare and Keith for their kind permission to include their work in this graphics exhibit.