Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket Raccoon and Groot is featured in a new ISS and CASIS mission patch. (Photo : CASIS)
Groot and Rocket Raccoon will now get a chance to make their mark at the International Space Station as the two unusual and iconic characters from Marvel's "Guardian of the Galaxy" which are a talking a raccoon and a tree creature, will represent the U.S. National Laboratory on a mission patch, that will also launch scientific payload to the orbiting space lab this year.
According to Marvel Custom Solutions manager, Darren Sanchez, the team is really excited for this project since they are directly doing something for the International Space Station and this patch is a terrific idea to utilize a Marvel character for the CASIS project aboard the ISS.
CASIS or the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space currently manages the U.S. National Lab which is now under a NASA contract. Last Friday, the non profit organization announced the Marvel patch for the space station during the San Diego Comic-Con in California.
According to CASIS operations and educational opportunities director, Ken Shields, this is also a crucial mission for CASIS, by finding unique and innovative ways to bring some public attention to the International Space Station National Laboratory as the research will be conducted in lower Earth orbit.
Shields adds how Rocket and Groot will be able to inspire new generations of explorers, researchers and scientists who are interested with the International Space Station's projects, experiments and missions.
This new mission patch shows how Rocket is sitting on top of Groot's shoulder, gazing up the skies towards the space station. This is also the fourth insignia designed for a CASIS payload but a first for any Marvel character. This Rocket and Groot patch is designed and drawn by Marvel Comics artist Juan Doe.
