Here’s some news that will knock you right on your ass. NASA’s “worm” logo, which was the agency’s primary logo from 1975 to 1992, has finally made its triumphant return.
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine unveiled the big news in a tweet last week, showcasing its appearance on the side of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which will soon carry Crew Dragon astronauts to the International Space Station and beyond. The rocket will notably mark the return of human spaceflight on American rockets from American soil.
As of right now, ever since the end of the space shuttle program in 2011, NASA has been reliant on Russia for getting to space, paying the country to send astronauts to the ISS aboard the Soyuz rocket. NASA has been trying to remedy this situation for a while, having turned to commercial companies like SpaceX and Boeing for help. The Falcon 9 launch vehicle with the Crew Dragon spacecraft marks the beginning of NASA’s Commercial Crew program and a new era for the agency.
But the most important thing in all of this, of course, is that the “worm” is FUCKING BACK. LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Created in 1974 as part of the Federal Graphics Improvement Program of the National Endowment of the Arts, the stylized red lettering was retired from official use in 1992. It would be trotted out in the following years for special occasions and merchandising opportunities, but not much else.
UNTIL NOW.
In a time where good news can be hard to come by, the return of the “worm” is supremely cool, and it looks like we can expect to see more of it down the line.
I FEEL INVINCIBLE RIGHT NOW.
