The U.S. Space Force unveiled its official motto and logo Wednesday (July 22), along with the meaning behind its striking insignia.
On Jan. 24 of this year, an image was revealed that many people believed to be the logo for the U.S. Space Force. However, it turned out that this design is actually the seal for the new military branch, not the logo. But on Wednesday, the branch rolled out the official logo, the U.S. Space Force motto and the meaning behind the logo's design (and no, despite its Delta shape, it is not "Star Trek"-inspired.)
Starting with the official motto: Space Force now operates under the words "Semper Supra," which is Latin for "Always Above." This motto, as the military branch explained on Twitter, "represents our role in establishing, maintaining, and preserving U.S. freedom of operations in the space domain."
Related: Presidential Visions for Space: From Ike to Trump
‘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/S6cW3ZbHQRJuly 22, 2020
The logo is a sharp Delta symbol.
"First used in 1961, the Delta symbol honors the heritage of the USAF [United States Air Force] and Space Command," explains an infographic released by the U.S. Space Force in a statement.
The Delta symbol has a silver outer border that, as the infographic describes, "signifies defense and protection from all adversaries and threats emanating from the space domain." Just within the silver lining is a black inner border and inner region, which "embodies the vast darkness of deep space."
Making up the internal structure of the logo are four silver "beveled elements," which "symbolize the joint armed forces supporting space missions: Air Force, Army, Navy and Marines."
The two sharp tips of the spires that line the inside of the logo "represent the action of a rocket launching into the outer atmosphere in support of the central role of the Space Force in defending the space domain."
Lastly, the military branch explained, in the "center of the delta is the star Polaris, which symbolizes how the core values guide the Space Force mission."
The Space Force was officially established in December 2019. It's the first new U.S. military branch to be set up since the Air Force got off the ground in 1947.
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
