Seth Green, actor from "Austin Powers," the voice of Chris Griffin in "Family Guy" and creator of "Robot Chicken," designed the next mission patch for the 2015 expedition team going to the International Space Station, according to Space.com.
There are no Darth Vader references, but Green did draw his inspiration from sci-fi pop-culture.
"Honestly, my first thought was the yellow and blue from BSG [Battlestar Galactica]," Green said in a video. "That's the nerd in me. I was like '[the space station is] obviously the modern Battlestar,' so that was it. I took the blue and the yellow from all the uniforms."
"It's been a great experience collaborating with CASIS to better understand their role in making use of this incredible research facility," Green said. "If my promoting space-based research through this patch in some small way drives additional thoughts and ideas to improve life on Earth, I'm happy to help."
CASIS is the organization that uses the ISS as a national laboratory for the United States, according to Space.com. Experiments being carried out on the orbiting lab include research on bone density and non-embryonic stem cells.
The patch designed by Green was also inspired by the ISS' Cupola. "That's the point [on the space station] where you can see the farthest by the human eye," Green said.
Traditionally, the crew of each expedition places their patch above the air lock on the ISS and signs the wall before they return home to Earth, as previously reported by HNGN. Green's design will be floating in space for as long as ISS remains.
CASIS' motto, "Science in Space for Life on Earth," helped Green's design along."I love the idea of collecting data and information and then disseminating it to the planet," Green explained. "You see the ISS, you see the planet - though it is the CASIS logo - and it has got 'Advancing Research Knowledge' emanating down to the planet."
How did the voice of Leonardo on "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" become a designer for a space mission's emblem?
"Seth Green has been an outspoken advocate on the need to explore beyond Earth's horizons for years," said Brian Talbot, CASIS director of marketing and communications, according to Space.com. "We are excited to have this opportunity to engage him in a fun and meaningful partnership to promote the benefits of conducting research in space."
