Soyuz TMA-13


The 'red' Soyuz TMA-13 patch, produced by Richard Garriot. This design was worn by the crew, although the Roscosmos version is the 'official' crew patch for this mission. However, whatever is worn on the suits is considered the official patch by collectors...


Crew & Mission

The Soyuz TMA-13 crew of Spaceflight Participant Richard Garriott, Soyuz Commander Lonchakov and Flight Engineer Fincke.


Soyuz TMA-13 Artwork



The original idea and artwork came from Benjamin Berezin, son of Boris Berezin who designed many space patches, including the ISS Expedition 3 and 9 crew patches. Final graphic design came from an associate of Richard Garriott, Keith Dana.

..."Our patch description is as follows:

"From ancient Titans lifting worlds on their shoulders to today's space explorers elevating Humanity’s appreciation of our own world, legends are meant to inspire people with imagination, creativity, courage, and strength. The 100th Flight of Soyuz exemplifies all that and more with a new-generation Soyuz TMA-13 servicing the International Space Station and advancing science for peace on our planet.

The crew call sign of the Soyuz TMA-13 comrades is "Titan". The names of the cosmonauts and astronaut crew are bordering the Soyuz capsule outlined in Russian national colors, while the vehicle is speeding upwards from its Baikonur launch pad. The 18 stars surround Soyuz Commander Yuri Lonchakov, Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke, and private space explorer Richard Garriott for the number of ISS expeditions to date. The crimson red of the name belt pays tribute to the achievement of the original Soyuz 1 and the first Soyuz cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov.

Inspired by the latest crew, Ben Berezin, author of this patch believes that the theme of uniting ancient with new symbols will uplift not only their spirits but all of those working for space missions in togetherness, capturing the core of the meaning of the word "soyuz" or "union"."...

Astronaut Mike Fincke, Commander Expedition 18, Flight Engineer Soyuz TMA-13. July 2009.


The patch



Left: Richard Garriott with the TMA-13 crewpatch.
Right: (JSC2008-E-119300 - 1 Oct. 2008) While meeting news media near the Cosmonaut Hotel at the Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan, astronaut Michael Fincke explains the design of Soyuz TMA-13 crew patch.



Garriott's personal patches


Collecting Soyuz TMA-13

As the production of both the crew patch and Garriott's personal patches were handled by himself, only a few copies have found their way to collectors through personal contacts and eBay.


TMA-12 | ISS Index | TMA-13-Roscosmos

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