NASA logo patches Gemini 3 >

It may seem odd to include a section on NASA logo patches in a site dedicated to crew patches but the patch designs detailed below were either worn by the crews on their actual spacesuits (for the Mercury and Gemini projects and for Apollo 1) or worn on their flight suits immediately after the missions (from Apollo 7 onwards). To my mind this certainly makes them worthy of a place in any serious space patch collection.

After studying the best images I could find of the patches used on the various missions it's clear that at least four different patch designs have been used during the Mercury-Gemini-Apollo period. I've called these designs Type I, II, III and IV, with a fifth type thrown-in for good measure.
NASA Vector Patch - Type I (Mercury Program : 1959-1963)

The NASA logo patch used by the Mercury Seven on their space suits was the white-bordered version shown here.

The body of the patch is approximately 3" in diameter.
NASA Vector Patch - Type II (Gemini Program : 1964-1966)

The NASA logo patch used by the crews of the Gemini missions on their space suits was the white-bordered version shown here.

The body of the patch is approximately 3" in diameter.

Although very similar in appearance to the Type I patch, this design can be distinguished by slightly less bold lettering, and a diamond pattern of stars under the right leg of the A where the Type I has an open "V" shape pointing up and to the right.

An example of the Type II patch that was apparently taken from one of Gus Grissom's Gemini 3 space suits is shown here. This scan was kindly provided by Mike Zolotorow.

Note that most examples of this patch have the top left corner of the final "A" bisected by the vector but a few have the vector completely overlaying the top corner (leaving no white thread visible to the upper left) and slightly more bold lettering. You can see this more clearly in this side-by-side image of patches sewn to James McDivitt's Gemini-era flight suits, from images kindly provided by Dave Keeler.
NASA Vector Patch - Type III (Early Apollos : 1966-1969)

For Apollo 1 the NASA logo patch used by the crews on their space suits was the white-bordered version shown here. The same desing was used by the crews of Apollos 7, 8, 9 and 11 on their post-flight jump suits.

The body of the patch is approximately 3" in diameter.

Although very similar in appearance to the Type II patch, this design can be distinguished by the fact that the top of the last "A" overlays the red vector, whereas in the earlier versions the red swoosh cuts through the top of the "A". The point of the vector is also thicker in this version than the earlier ones. Finally, the serif on the letter "N" is much more pronounced, with the top left of the "N" almost reaching the left border.
NASA Vector Patch - Type IV (Most Apollos : 1969-1972)

For Apollo 10 and Apollos 12 through 17 the NASA logo patch used by the crews on their post-flight jump suits was the blue-bordered version shown here.

The body of the patch is 3" in diameter. Probably by AB Emblem.

There are two exceptions to the use of this patch design for Apollos 12 onwards. After Apollo 13, Jack Swigert wore a white border patch on his post-recovery flight suit as shown in 70-H-0641 , although he also wore a second suit with a blue border patch that is visible in other post-recovery photos. Likewise, after Apollo 14, Shepard wore a white border patch on his flight suit (possibly a Type II Gemini-era version) as shown in KSC-71P-168.

It's also interesting that in S68-46603, a training shot of the Apollo 7 crew from 1968, Cunningham appears to have a blue bordered Type IV patch on his jump suit while the other two have the white bordered Type III patches. This would be the earliest appearance of this particular patch that I've seen.
NASA Vector Patch - Type V (Suit-Tech version : circa 1969)

This smaller white-bordered version of the NASA vector patch is clearly visible in the photo below on suit tech Joe Schmitt's hat during suiting-up activities prior to the Apollo 11 launch.

The patch is just under 2 3/4" in diameter. Probably by AB Emblem.
NASA Vector Patch Gallery - NASA-used versions
Type I : 1959-1963 Type II : 1964-1969 Type III : 1966-1969 Type IV : 1969-1972 Type V

This white-bordered patch is the design used during the Mercury program.

This white-bordered patch is the design used during the Gemini program.

This white-bordered patch is the design used by the crews of Apollos 1, 7, 8, 9 and 11.

This blue-bordered patch is the design used by the crews of Apollo 10 and Apollos 12 through 17. [3" / 76mm]

This smaller patch is the design worn by the NASA suit techs on their hats for Apollo 11. [2¾" / 68mm]
Other vintage white-bordered versions
White-bordered variant 1 White-bordered variant 2 White-bordered variant 3 White-bordered variant 4

This white-bordered patch has only the point of the vector extending beyond the body of the patch.
My thanks to Peter Merlin for pointing out that this patch was used by the crew of Ironman One. in the 1969 movie Marooned.
It may be from the same manufacturer as AS1UNK1, AS11UNK2 and AS12UNK4 [75mm].

This white-bordered patch is larger than those used by the crews. [4" / 100mm].

A white-bordered patch vintage patch which doesn't match any of the known crew versions [Size Unknown]. Image courtesy of Ron Goode.

A white-bordered patch given to NASA personnel assigned to the X-15 project at Dryden in March 1960. [2 7/8" / 72mm]. Courtesy of Peter Merlin.
Other vintage blue-bordered versions
Blue-bordered variant 1 Blue-bordered variant 2 Blue-bordered variant 3

This blue-bordered patch is similar to the Type IV but has a hooked point to the 'swoosh' and extra stars in the lower left quadrant [2 5/8" / 67mm]. Image courtesy of Ron Goode.

This blue-bordered patch is similar to the Type IV but the large stars are skinnier. Image courtesy of Ron Goode.

This is a blue-bordered version of the small Type V patch. [2¾" / 68mm] Image courtesy of Ron Goode.
Gemini 3 >