Rocket Raccoon and Groot aren't just "Guardians of the Galaxy." They're also allies with NASA and now on their way to the International Space Station.
The Marvel Comics' "Guardians of the Galaxy" characters, a badass talking raccoon and a sentient tree-like creature, star on the mission patch of International Space Station, representing all of the science payloads launching in 2016 to the U.S. National Laboratory on board the orbiting outpost.
The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, or CASIS, manages the U.S. National Lab under a contract with NASA. The non-profit made the announcement of the Marvel patch at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday.
CASIS' major role is to find unique and innovative ways to bring notoriety to the International Space Station National Laboratory and the research that is being conducted. The team chose to partner with Marvel due to their characters' large impact, including these cute inspiring space-based ones.
The red, white and blue patch, which depicts Rocket sitting on Groot's shoulder as they look up to the space station, is the fourth insignia to be designed by CASIS payloads, but the first to feature Marvel's characters. The Rocket and Groot patch was drawn by Marvel Comics artist Juan Doe.
Though it was only just revealed, the Marvel patch already represents payloads that are in orbit.
The mission patch is just the beginning of what CASIS has planned for Rocket and Groot. These two characters are expected to inspire new generation of researchers interested in the space station. They will also be the focus of an education flight contest intended to "inspire and mobilize the next generation of scientists and engineers." The competition will be announced later this year.
Source: NBC News
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