The NASA logo and the evolution of the space company’s brand
Ever stared at the sky, awestruck by the vastness of space? That same sense of wonder grips us as we glimpse the iconic NASA logo adorning rockets and astronaut suits. It’s more than just a design; it’s a beacon of human ambition. This emblem embodies tales of triumph, innovation, and the brave pursuit of the unknown.
In this article, we’ll unravel the story stitched into the very fabric of the NASA emblem. From the nostalgic meatball to the sleek lines of the worm, each curve of the logo charts a course through history. We’ll explore space agency emblem transformations, decode the visual identity guidelines, and even touch on how merchandise branding became stellar.
You’re set to discover the genius behind the graphics and why a logo isn’t just a logo when it represents humanity’s leap into the cosmos. Buckle up; we’re about to launch into the tale of the most celebrated insignia in space history.
Before NASA there was NACA
NASA also is known as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration was made in 1958 to fight back the Soviet Union’s success, the launch of the first satellite called Sputnik. NASA was derived from the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics because they had to bring the people from somewhere.
NACA dates back to 1915, and they didn’t have a logo of their own. They used different badges that had eagle wings or a shield to show the military potential of the organization.
In the 1950s these two elements, the shield together with the wings were put together to form an outline that was put around the NACA letters. We can consider that this was one of the inspiration sources for NASA’s present graphics.
The Original Logo
In 1959, the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics switched in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the well-known NASA. The man that was in charge of the creation of the NASA symbol was James Modarelli.
What he did was a standard NASA logo for that period, and it showed for sure that this organization is a space agency but did not show its aspiration for the future.
Every element that we see on all the NASA logos correspond to a certain mission that NASA has set up to do. The round shape, for example, is the NASA symbol for a planet while the starts for sure make you think about space.
The idea of space travel is given by the red chevron together with the orbiting spacecraft. What NASA claims is that this logo is more used to get a military feeling. When Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon more than 50 years ago his suit had this logo that we are talking about.
Nasa Meatball
Modarelli was the one that made the NASA logo a bit simpler. He added white lettering and put all the stars and the orbital path in a round field made with blue and red that interconnected with the rest of the design.
Indeed, the blue sphere is the symbol of a planet, the stars are the space and the red foil is the symbol for aeronautics together with the orbiting spacecraft. All of it makes sense but the logo got its “meatball” name later in 1975 when NASA considered that after sending the first man on the moon it’s time to do something even more futuristic.
Nasa Worm – The NASA logotype – 1975-92
The year 1974 is the year when the controversy began about the NASA meatball logo. The leadership of the organization wanted a more contemporary look and between 1972 and 1981 around 50 agencies of the government searched for identities and made changes together with the Federal Graphics Improvement program.
NASA contacted the design firm Danne & Blackburn from New York to create a modern logo. The logotype that came from this agency was added in 1975. This new logo was sleek and had great visual standards. The NASA logo even won in 1984 Presidential Award for Design of Excellence.
Return of the meatball – 1992 to present
After 17 years all through NASA won the “Award of Design Excellence” by the Presidential Design Awards stopped using that logo and went again for the NASA meatball logo.
Some speculate that because of the Challenger disaster that took place in 1986 and different seatbacks the energy and morale of the people were low, and something was needed to be changed. This combined with pressure from older employees might have led to the change that took place.
No matter the case, the first day when the new administrator Daniel S Goldin took his place in 1992, he made this fast decision to get back the original NASA logo. This move brought a lot of debate and as we suspect the above mentioned might have been the cause of the change.
What does the NASA logo mean: The ‘meatball’ symbol?
This NASA logo represents the aspects that are the most important for NASA. We already know that the round shape represents a planet, the V-shape represents aeronautics, the stars represent the space and the circular orbit but, in the end, the logo represents the search of man into space.
Besides this NASA logo that we all are very familiar with there is also another official symbol that is known as the NASA seal. This NASA emblem is more used in formal events like official ceremonies or different award gatherings. Like its main logo, the seal also contains elements that represent planets, stars and orbit.
The font that is used in the “meatball” logo is a simple bold serif type and each character is capitalized. The colors that are used are red, dark blue and white.
Additional emblems
NASA also has a few more emblems that it uses for different occasions. For instance, each space crew has a new NASA logo that reflects the details of their mission and what they are about to do in it.
Designing for the future
For sure some people prefer more the “worm” design vs the “meatball” one. No matter what is your favorite one we should expect that NASA will bring probably again a change in the future. Just keep in mind that they might surprise us more soon than we can think off but until that happens all that we will be able to do is to focus on the present.
FAQ on the NASA logo
Who designed the NASA logo?
The mind behind the masterpiece? It was James Modarelli, head honcho at NASA’s Lewis Research Center, who sketched out the original meatball design in 1959. The ingenuity of Modarelli gave us the sphere, stars, and orbital path that’ve become synonymous with space exploration.
What’s with all the nicknames – “meatball” and “worm”?
Hear these quirky names thrown around and you’ll know we’re talking NASA. The “meatball” is all about that classic round vibe from the ’50s. Roll into the ’70s, and the “worm” slinks in – a slick, red, modern lettering of NASA, repping a whole new era in space branding.
Why did they ditch the “worm” logo?
So, why’d they stow away the “worm” in ’92? Nostalgia’s a powerful thing. NASA decided to hit rewind, bring the meatball back – that emblem riffed on the agency’s early days. Tradition won out, I guess, reminding folks of those first steps on the moon.
What does each element in the meatball represent?
The NASA meatball’s a story in a circle. Stars for the unknown. The red chevron, a splash of aeronautical flair. And that white orbit? It’s our journey through the cosmos, with the bold blue sphere symbolizing a planet. It’s not just logo – it’s a mission statement.
Can I use the NASA logo however I want?
Whoa, slow down there, cowboy! The NASA logo’s got restrictions, ’cause it’s government branding. Yeah, it’s floated around, slipping into fashion lines and such, but official use? That’s gotta play by the rule book. Trademark law keeps it all shipshape, preventing any misrepresentation of the agency.
How has the NASA logo evolved over time?
You could say NASA’s had a branding journey all its own. From the meatball’s debut in ’59 to the worm’s takeoff in ’75, and back to the meatball again. It’s a loop! And don’t forget, the worm made a comeback for special missions faster than a rocket launch – talk about a vintage resurgence!
Was there ever a logo before the meatball?
Negative, that meatball was the first official logo out of the gate for NASA. Before that, it was an open frontier, no emblem to seal the deal. When NASA formed in ’58, they knew they needed a stamp of their legacy – enter the meatball, the very next year.
Does the logo appear on space equipment?
Oh, you bet! That NASA emblem finds its way onto pretty much anything heading skyward – rockets, shuttles, gadgets. It’s like a cosmic high-five. And let’s not forget the cool factor on astronaut gear. It’s a symbol of pride and craftsmanship, boldly stitched onto suits and mission patches.
What’s the deal with NASA’s logo guidelines?
Design guidelines, now there’s the blueprint. They lay down the law on how to use the NASA logo. We’re talking the right colors, spacing, the whole nine yards. Whether it’s for an official report or a T-shirt, they’re looking to keep that brand recognition strong and consistent.
Why did they bring back the worm logo?
Soaring back into style, the worm made a grand re-entrance for some special shindigs, like the Falcon 9 rocket’s duties. It’s like a tip of the hat to the adventurous spirit of space exploration’s golden years, blended with today’s tech wonders. The worm’s sleek lines offer a nod to NASA’s forever forward-thinking vibe.
Conclusion
And just like that, we’ve orbited the full tale of the NASA logo – from its birth as the meatball to its wormy reshape and back again to those familiar curves and swooshes that tell of skies conquered and stars claimed.
- Through the logo’s swirls and letters, you’ve seen the shifts and turns of an agency always reaching for the next frontier.
- We’ve touched on the crucial trademark rules that keep the integrity of the space silhouette intact.
- We’ve even peeked at the merch – those tees and caps that let us wear a slice of the cosmos.
Here’s to the insignia that launched a thousand dreams, the one stitched into the very spacesuit of progress. The NASA logo isn’t just a mark; it’s our collective signature on the dotted line of the infinite. Carry that knowledge, just as the logo carries the weight of exploratory excellence.
If you enjoyed reading this article about the NASA logo, you should read these as well:
- The Adidas logo: What makes it so special
- Try these pretty fonts for fun and sweet projects
- The Amazon logo: Its meaning and the history behind it
- How to create a logo & branding questionnaire (Templates included)
Bogdan Sandu, a seasoned designer with 15 years of diverse experience, has been designing websites since 2008.
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
Renowned for his expertise in logo design and visual branding, Bogdan has developed a multitude of logos for various clients.
His skills extend to creating posters, vector illustrations, business cards, and brochures. Additionally, Bogdan's UI kits were featured on marketplaces like Visual Hierarchy and UI8.
Latest posts by Bogdan Sandu (see all)
- The Square Enix Logo History, Colors, Font, And Meaning - 18 April 2024
- Golden Touch: Luxurious Gold Color Palettes - 18 April 2024
- The Creative Process Behind Brand Naming - 18 April 2024
