Space Force Explains Why Its New Logo Is Not A ‘Star Trek’ Rip-Off
By Thanussha Priyah, 24 Jul 2020
Image via Space Force and IMDb
The latest US military branch, Space Force, has unveiled its official logo and motto. Unfortunately, it is getting likened to sci-fi show Star Trek’s Starfleet insignia.
On Wednesday, chief of space operations General John Raymond posted a photo on Twitter explaining the meaning behind the logo, which shows a silver delta symbol with the Polaris Star.
The silver border is said to symbolize “protection from adversaries,” and the star refers to the North Star, Polaris, noting the “core values [guiding] the Space Force mission.”
The two spires inside the delta represent the “action of a rocket launching into the outer-sphere,” and the black area inside “embodies the vast darkness from space.”
The phrase “Semper Supra” has also been unveiled as the Space Force’s official motto, and is a Latin phrase meaning “always above.”
However, many internet users are claiming that the official logo seems to have ripped off Star Trek’s Starfleet logo.
“I mean. Anyone who’s not a super fan would see the Space Force logo and understandably think it’s something to do with Star Trek,” one user wrote.
The agency has justified that it did not plagiarize the fictional show’s logo by stating that the delta was already used in space organizations “as early as 1961,” while the iconic television show was launched in 1966.
We are building a new Service to secure the space domain... the ultimate high ground. Our strategic imperative is to ensure that our space capabilities & the advantages they provide the nation & our Joint and Coalition partners are always there. #SemperSupra! https://t.co/5tIglNUAP1
— Gen. Jay Raymond (@SpaceForceCSO) July 22, 2020
The logo has many elements, but the silver outer border signifies defense and protection from all adversaries and threats emanating from the space domain. The U.S. Space Force protects. #sempersupra pic.twitter.com/RG2b0wJgoM
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) July 22, 2020
‘Semper Supra’ (Always Above) is our official motto and it represents our role in establishing, maintaining, and preserving U.S. freedom of operations in the space domain. pic.twitter.com/S6cW3ZbHQR
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) July 22, 2020
I mean. Anyone who’s not a super-fan would see the Space Force logo and understandably think it’s something to do with Star Trek. pic.twitter.com/OqHJWagRfF
— JMac (@otherjmac) July 23, 2020
The delta was first used in space organizations as early as 1961 and has inspired generations of space professionals. #sempersupra pic.twitter.com/SwV3LEFRss
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) July 22, 2020
My theyfriend just saw the new OFFICIAL US SPACE FORCE logo on fb and turned to me and we both said STAR TREK. I guess they went where no other space force has gone before. pic.twitter.com/GPzlpHOEnq
— Nadine Chemali نادين (@femmocollective) July 24, 2020
The Space Force has apparently finally settled on a logo and a motto.
— Jason Boyd (@JasonBoydWrites) July 22, 2020
The logo, to the surprise of no one, is a continued plagiarism of Star Trek (a delta symbol with a North Star inset)
Their motto? "Semper Supra," which is Latin for "Always Above."
🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
SPACE FORCE: hey can I copy your homework?
— Tom (@TomHeartsTanks) July 22, 2020
STAR TREK: sure, just change it up a bit so it doesn’t look obvious you copied.
SPACE FORCE: sure thing https://t.co/IxrTpAOM1F
[via CREDIT, cover image via Space Force and IMDb]