History of the Insignia

NASA Insignia

NASA Logo

NASA Seal

The NASA Insignia (more commonly referred to as the "meatball") reflects the history and tradition of the Agency and is used in all of the Agency's day-to-day communications materials. Designed in 1959 by former NASA employee James Modarelli, the NASA Insignia contains the following elements:

• The sphere represents a planet
• The stars represent space
• The vector represents aeronautics
• The orbit represents space travel

The NASA Logo has been retired since 1992. It is reserved for special use (such as for commercial merchandising purposes) and must be approved by the Visual Identity Coordinator at NASA Headquarters. The NASA Logo should never be used with the NASA Insignia.

The NASA Seal should be reserved for use in connection with the NASA Administrator, such as for award presentations, formal events and activities which are ceremonial or traditional in nature.

The Seal should never be used with the NASA Insignia. The two elements are intended for different purposes and are visually incompatible when seen side by side.

Contact the Visual Identity Coordinator at NASA Headquartes for advice on the use of the NASA Seal.