Tucked away in a business park just down the street from Stoney Knob Cafe, it’s likely you haven’t heard of A-B Emblem. But the Weaverville-based company’s work can be seen throughout the entire universe.
The five-generation family-owned business most recently produced the Artemis II mission patch that the four astronauts wore upon launch. The business has been creating patches for NASA since 1963, beginning with the iconic “meatball” patch depicting the agency’s official logo. In 1970, A-B Emblem became the exclusive patch maker for NASA, with their work being sent on Apollo, space shuttle, and expedition missions.
A-B Emblem has an online store for its NASA patches, both new and old, if you’re looking to start a collection.
PARI returns to its original mission
And out in Rosman, a storied space organization is aiding the mission in a big way. Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute was one of 34 global ground stations selected to passively track radio waves transmitted by Orion during its 10-day journey.
Since 1998, the site has served as a nonprofit, providing hands-on STEM education and research opportunities. But its task with the Artemis II mission is a true return to form. The site was built by NASA in the early ‘60s as the Rosman Satellite Tracking Station, designed to track satellites and manned space missions, including Project Gemini and Apollo.
With the Artemis II mission underway, PARI’s massive radio telescope is tracking the Orion spacecraft as it loops around the Moon, capturing radio signals that help NASA monitor its path and speed. Staff will work in rotating, around-the-clock shifts, adjusting the 60-year old equipment in real time to keep the mission on course.
You can visit the 200+-acre campus for an out-of-this-world educational experience, with tours, workshops, and even overnight stays for stargazing in their Dark Sky Park.
