August 2009, I fulfilled a dream I’ve had since I was a kid. I attended Space Camp. How serendipitous was it that our team had to create a team patch? Elements of this patch are representative not only of our namesake orbiter, but also of the space program. The phoenix represents rising from the ashes of fiery and violent destruction. The space program itself is experiencing a reformation, and struggling to remain true to original ideals while finding a place in the future of space exploration. The seven stars represent the seven members of the fatal Challenger mission, to whom we pay homage. The phoenix leaves Earth, going past the Moon, and on to Mars, as we learn from the valuable lessons of the Gemini and Apollo missions in order to extend our capabilities in space.
If you are a space enthusiast, I recommend attending Space Camp for at least a weekend session. After the end of the Shuttle program, it will be a while before such an experience will be available.