North Carolina company produces mission patch for NASA's Artemis II Crew

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission will carry a small piece of North Carolina with them when they venture beyond Earth's orbit next year.

The mission's official patch, designed by the four astronauts assigned to Artemis II, is being produced at A-B Emblem, a custom embroidery company based in Buncombe County. NASA has contracted with the company since the 1970s, when it began producing mission patches for the space agency.

The 134-year-old company says many people are surprised to learn that the patches worn by astronauts and displayed around the world are made in a small mountain community in western North Carolina.

"It's pretty amazing to know that, you know, a small town can do something this big," said Susie Morris, a space specialist at A-B Emblem.

Once completed, the patches are sent to the astronauts for their flight suits and are also shared with friends and family. Additional patches are distributed to museums and retailers, where they are collected and displayed by space enthusiasts across the country.

Among the Artemis II crew is NC State alum Christina Koch, adding another North Carolina connection to the mission.

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