Space shuttle Discovery astronauts Alvin Drew, center, Nicole Stott and Steve Bowen add their mission patch as designed by the late, famed space artist Robert McCall to the International Space Station's wall. CREDIT: NASA View full size image

Space shuttle Discovery's final crew left its mark on the International Space Station Sunday prior to departing the orbiting laboratory today (March 7).

Participating in a long-standing tradition established by previous visiting crews, the six Discovery astronauts added their mission's insignia to the station's wall and then signed their names around the decal. The simple act signified the successful conclusion of their goals while onboard the space station.

Space shuttle Discovery undocked from the space station at 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT), beginning its journey back to the Earth for its last time. Landing is targeted for Wednesday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to end what is the last flight of space shuttle Discovery. [Photos from Discovery's final mission]

The addition of the red, orange, and blue patch, which the crew also wore on their pressure suits, polo shirts, and on the pair of suits used for the flight's two spacewalks, also represented the final contribution by a famed space artist to the visual history of the United States' space program.

The astronaut and the artist

Astronaut Alvin Drew volunteered to head up choosing the design for Discovery's final mission emblem soon after he was named to the crew in 2009. At the time, the flight was not only the last for Discovery, but was also scheduled as the final mission of the space shuttle program.

It was not too long after, that he received a suggestion to call on artist Robert McCall.

 

In addition to designing the Apollo 17 and STS-1 patches, McCall was a highly-regarded space artist whose murals filled full walls at NASA's centers and the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.

"This is the final works of art by Bob McCall."

One of three "gorgeous designs" that Robert McCall created for Discovery's final mission patch. (McCall Studios/NASA)

McCall included in his designs "Final Flight" and a wreath, both removed from the final insignia. (McCall Studios/NASA)

 

Continue reading at collectSPACE.com to learn how McCall’s last sketches became Discovery’s final mission patch.