Artemis II Double‑Sided Collector Patch

This striking double‑sided patch celebrates Artemis II, the first crewed mission of the Artemis era and the moment a new generation of explorers begins its journey. The mission is marked as “AII,” symbolising both the second major flight of the Artemis campaign and a commitment to exploration for all and by all.

Framed within the iconic Apollo 8 Earthrise, the artwork captures the dual spirit of human spaceflight:

• The Moon — our destination, representing discovery, challenge, and the pursuit of the unknown.

• The Earth — our home, reminding us of the perspective gained when we look back at our shared planet and understand what it means to be human.

The Earth‑orbit arc highlights the continuous missions that paved the way for Artemis — decades of Shuttle, ISS, and deep‑space operations that now enable humanity to aim for a sustained lunar presence and, soon, Mars.

A powerful emblem linking past inspiration, present ambition, and the future of exploration.

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The Story Behind the Artemis II Double‑Sided Patch 

When NASA unveiled the Artemis II mission patch in April, most people saw a single triangular emblem marking the first crewed flight of the Artemis era. What wasn’t immediately obvious was that the design had a hidden companion — a second side that would eventually become one of the most unusual collector patches ever produced.

The official insignia shows Earth rising over the Moon, echoing the spirit of Apollo 8 while introducing the “AII” designation for the second major Artemis mission. It symbolises exploration for everyone, and the dual perspective of looking outward toward the Moon and back home toward Earth.

Behind the scenes, NASA’s Astronaut Office approached A‑B Emblem — the company that has produced NASA’s embroidered patches since 1960 — with an unusual request. They wanted to know if it was possible to create a two‑sided mission patch, something A‑B had never attempted for a crew insignia. Although the company had made double‑sided ornaments and key fobs, a fully embroidered patch with artwork on both sides was new territory.

NASA supplied artwork for the official front design and a second illustration showing the reverse perspective: Earth in the foreground and the Moon rising behind it, representing the return leg of the 10‑day Artemis II journey. This mirrored scene would symbolise the crew — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — heading home after looping around the Moon aboard Orion.

Before A‑B could explore the collector version, they had to finalise the official patch. The astronauts requested several refinements: adjustments to the Moon’s crater detailing, changes to the red trajectory stitching, tweaks to the Earth‑orbit trail, and even a subtle eclipse of Wiseman’s name to reflect the crew’s path around the Moon.

The official patch went on sale to the public on 20 July, aligning with the anniversary of Apollo 11’s first lunar landing. A‑B also completed NASA’s initial order, though patches intended for flight use will be produced closer to the 2026 launch.

Only after that work was complete could A‑B begin crafting the double‑sided collector edition. It won’t be worn by the crew, but it will be made for them — and for collectors. Wiseman personally encouraged giving the concept a try so the crew could have something special to keep and share.

Its uniqueness may make it highly desirable among collectors.

A‑B Emblem is prepared to produce as many as needed — for early demand, for the 2026 mission, and for the future of Artemis. The company sees this patch not just as a technical achievement, but as a celebration of the new era of human exploration.