Where & How to Wear Mission Patches

Katja

I work in the satellite industry. I have a small collection of fabric patches commemorating different missions I've worked on, and I'd love to figure out some way to wear them that doesn't make me feel like I'm wearing a sweatshirt with a rhinestone Santa embroidered on it.

For a while I had them on the back of a denim jacket: http://brokenclay.org/images/ylf/patches.jpg

But I realized that 9 out of 10 times that I reached for that jacket, I put it back in the closet because the patches made it feel so exhibitionist (or really geeky, maybe).

Any thoughts?

15 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Rose

Maya

Veteran

Well first of all your hair is the envy of the free world.

What about putting them on a messenger bag?

15 years ago

Veteran

Oh Maya that is a great idea!

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

I was thinking the same thing... put them on a bag of some sorts. I think any way you try to wear them on clothing you're going to have that same exhibitionist feeling

15 years ago

stringy

Veteran

Thirding the messenger bag idea. You deserve to highlight your accomplishments, but as you say the embellishments aren't quite fitting into your existing wardrobe items.

Alternatively, if you don't mind displaying them instead of wearing them, you could put them on fabric in a frame, maybe? Or put them on a special mission cushion. But that restricts them to your house, whereas a bag is something you can take to industry events where people will know what they represent.

15 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

They look nice on the denim jacket. It's not like you'll wear it everyday, so it should be fine.

15 years ago

Tansie

Active Member

I also think they look ok on the jacket - but I do agree that on a bag would be even better. And you do have beautiful hair!

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Wow what a fantastic record of your work i agree they'd look great on a bag they'd make a real statement x

15 years ago

Katja

(website)

Active Member

Thanks, everyone!

I'm liking the messenger bag idea, too. I don't carry a bag (wheelchair user), but should be able to figure out how to implement it on the backpack I usually have on the back of my chair.

And I'll be sure and tell my hair stylist about the hair compliments (I figure it's 20% genetics, 80% cut).

15 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum, Katja!
What kind of missions have you taken part in?

15 years ago

Katja

(website)

Active Member

Thanks, Michelle, for your welcome!

I'm a software developer. I've worked on flight software and commands and telemetry for the NextSat satellite as part of the Orbital Express mission (http://www.ballaerospace.com/page.jsp?page=74 - I also worked mission ops for this spacecraft), for the WISE satellite (http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/wise/, such a cool mission, for which there was sadly no patch), and for the Kepler satellite (http://kepler.nasa.gov/). I also did a little work on STP-SIV (http://ballaerospace.com/page.jsp?page=126, should launch one of these days Real Soon Now) and SBSS (http://ballaerospace.com/page.jsp?page=189, ditto).

I'm currently working on instruments (star trackers) that are used on satellites to determine precise position and navigation.

15 years ago

Srujana

Veteran

I can't view your picture at work, but this post tweaked my interest as I'm also collecting memorabilia from the satellites that I've worked on (my collection is small, but growing surely)...I think the idea to put them on a bag is great...I currently have mine pinned to the walls of my cube, which isn't nearly as fun, but serves as inspiration when the job gets less fun =)

15 years ago

Katja

(website)

Active Member

Srujana, very cool! We'll have to swap stories sometime.

I have the wall ornaments, too - posters and stuff. And then there are the mugs - I have discovered that it's very important not to actually use them, lest the printing wear off.

And I'm not a collecting sort of person at all!

15 years ago

Rose

Active Member

Katja! Awesome to see what you have worked on! I agree with others about the bag idea. I put a similar type of patch on my laptop bag.

15 years ago

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