NASA bringing back the 'worm' logo

[jadebenn]

No, this is not a belated April Fool's joke. This is actually happening.

Jim Bridenstine kicked-off the announcement by showing the 'worm' painted on the SpaceX booster that will be used for DM-2.

Tweet link

Unlike previous logo changes, this isn't a full replacement. This time NASA plans to have the 'worm' and 'meatball' co-exist.

The worm is back. And just in time to mark the return of human spaceflight on American rockets from American soil.

The retro, modern design of the agency’s logo will help capture the excitement of a new, modern era of human spaceflight on the side of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle that will ferry astronauts to the International Space Station as part of the Demo-2 flight, now scheduled for mid- to late May.

And there’s a good chance you’ll see the logo featured in other official ways on this mission and in the future. The agency is still assessing how and where it will be used, exactly.

NASA also emphasizes that the 'meatball' will remain NASA's "primary symbol," likely to reassure fans of the 'meatball' that the iconic symbol is not going away anytime soon.

Still, it seems what's old is new again as we enter this exciting era of space exploration.

[MattMason]

Please tell me that bringing back NASA 1975 to save 2020 does not require us to also bring back disco.

If it does, this is likely the point in history where a young Melissa Lewis discovers both spaceflight and disco, then creates an ungodly use of it as commander of the ill-fated Ares III mission. We can blame Bridenstine for Mark Watney's later torment. 

[spaceprincess]

According to the "Incorrect Uses" on page 1.6 (example 9), "The logotype should never be shown on a vertical axis. It is designed to rest on its horizontal baseline."

So, when DM-2 is sitting on the launch pad, it will be in violation of the Graphics Standard Manual. 

[woods170]

According to the "Incorrect Uses" on page 1.6 (example 9), "The logotype should never be shown on a vertical axis. It is designed to rest on its horizontal baseline."

So, when DM-2 is sitting on the launch pad, it will be in violation of the Graphics Standard Manual. 

Wouldn't be the first time that NASA violates its own rules.

[ccdengr]

So, when DM-2 is sitting on the launch pad, it will be in violation of the Graphics Standard Manual. 

I'm not sure how you deal with this when you have horizontal integration and vertical launch, unless you make the logo rotatable.

The same was true of the worms on the sides of the Space Shuttle IIRC.

[ejb749]

The shuttle had the Worm in both orientations.  So yes and no.
Maybe Dragon will have a Worm horizontal.

[freddo411]

As far as I can tell, the RED version of the worm logo has never flown on a NASA rocket.

Challenger sported a Gray Worm logo on the top of it's wing.

[jadebenn]

As far as I can tell, the RED version of the worm logo has never flown on a NASA rocket.

Challenger sported a Gray Worm logo on the top of it's wing.

I wanted to disagree with you, but you're right. The ones on the old Shuttle liveries were either gray or black.

[ccdengr]

As far as I can tell, the RED version of the worm logo has never flown on a NASA rocket.

Are the orientation rules different for different colors?

You may be right, looks like Mars Observer had gray: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Commercial_Titan_3_launching_Mars_Observer.jpg/1200px-Commercial_Titan_3_launching_Mars_Observer.jpg

[Rocket Science]

According to the "Incorrect Uses" on page 1.6 (example 9), "The logotype should never be shown on a vertical axis. It is designed to rest on its horizontal baseline."

So, when DM-2 is sitting on the launch pad, it will be in violation of the Graphics Standard Manual. 

Welcome to the forum!

[webdan]

According to the "Incorrect Uses" on page 1.6 (example 9), "The logotype should never be shown on a vertical axis. It is designed to rest on its horizontal baseline."

So, when DM-2 is sitting on the launch pad, it will be in violation of the Graphics Standard Manual. 

I think that the rules regarding the logo's orientation relate to how it is rendered, as in:

Correct: NASA

Incorrect:
N
A
S
A

And I'll echo a "Welcome" as well

[RyanC]

Worm = Unmanned
Meatball = Manned

Prove me wrong. 

[RonM]

Worm = Unmanned
Meatball = Manned

Prove me wrong. 

Challenger

[NaN]

I'll admit I was sure this was an April Fool's joke when I saw it, and thought it was great that Bridenstine would tweet such an obvious photoshop job.

I hope they do not bring this logo back often and overdo it, but for this mission it will make it distinctive and will provide a great opening to talk about the agency's storied past as we return crewed launches to USA.

[RyanC]

Challenger

I was speaking more from a branding point of view.

[Fequalsma]

https://i.stack.imgur.com/8JPNP.jpg

"NASA Administrator very excited to unveil new NASA insignia"
"Is that a pitot in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?"

Add your own caption!
F=ma

[edkyle99]

The worm will look nice all sooted up.

 - Ed Kyle

[RonM]

Challenger

I was speaking more from a branding point of view.

If you want to make a particular point be specific.

[Metalskin]

As a designer, I managed to snag a reprint of the NASA Graphics Standards Manual Jan, 1976.

Design is a funny thing. Standards are generally adhered to, however they should allow for exceptions when appropriate (and often they will provide discretionary decisions in certain situations). Interestingly, the Solar Maximum mission appears to be one of these exceptions, depending on how you look at it. I think the Falcon 9 is in the same boat.

The following are the most relevant pages.

[hoku]

As far as I can tell, the RED version of the worm logo has never flown on a NASA rocket.
...

Maybe not on a rocket, yet the red logo featured prominently on a number of satellites/space missions, like the Hubble Space Telescope (logo is now covered by newer thermal blankets), Galileo, or Spacelab subsystems.

I actually like the worm logo for its simple typeface and "timeless" futuristic look...