Date: 2001
Country of Origin: Unknown
Dimensions:
2-D - Unframed (H x W): 11.4 x 12.1cm (4 1/2 x 4 3/4 in.)
Materials:
Embroidered patch
This STS-108 patch belonged to NASA astronaut David Brown, a mission specialist who flew in space for the first time as a member of the crew of STS-107, the Space Shuttle Columbia mission that disintegrated upon reentry on February 1, 2003. (Because of changes in the flight schedule, STS-107 flew after STS-108.) A flight surgeon and a naval aviator, Brown was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate in April 1996 in Group 16. Aboard STS-107 as a mission specialist, Brown logged 15 days, 22 hours, and 20 minutes in space. Although this patch was never flown in space, it was a personal memento of Brown's.
STS-108 was a space shuttle mission launched December 5, 2001. The main goal of the mission was crew exchanges, supplies transport, and maintenance for the International Space Station. Two of Brown's Group 16 classmates, Daniel M. Tani and Mark E. Kelly, flew aboard STS-108 and Brown may have owned this patch in testament to his connection to their mission.
Doug Brown, Dave Brown's brother, gave the patch to the Museum in 2006.
Gift of Douglas R. Brown
