We had a disappointing and yet — very cool error. Somehow I managed to order the Shuttle and LRV pins much too large. While in many ways this is pretty cool… it might be odd for some to have Apollo, and Vostok at 2" and these at 4".
Not as cool is what happened with ISS.
Way too small. Especially when arriving with these 4" versions.
All this to say that while we already reordered the three in their proper sizes. We are worried they may arrive later than we expected. It is still quite possible to get these in time for the holiday, it will be something more like Dec 18, which is cutting it close for arriving at some destinations.
So if you are good with getting the large LRV and Shuttle, and the small ISS — we could ship these asap. If not, we can wait and hope to get these revisions in a timely enough way to make the holiday. Since the surveys were sent long ago, we will send an email out to everyone to see what you want to do.
All the pins, patches, prints, and tees from across our projects, bundled and discounted for one last celebration before the year wraps. It’s a curated collection from everything backed in 2025, all in one place for a limited time.
Quick heads-up — BackerKit surveys are about to roll out. Keep an eye on your inbox for a link from me. Once it arrives, you’ll be able to confirm your embroidered patch selections, velcro upgrades, your shipping info, and grab any add-ons you missed during the campaign.
You won’t need a BackerKit account — just click the link in your email and you’re in. The sooner you fill it out, the sooner I can lock in counts and be ready when they arrive in our warehouse.
You can come back and edit your survey anytime before I close things out (which you will also get a warning on), so nothing is permanent until then.
If you ever need to find your survey again, you can use the link in your email or hit “Lost your survey?” on the BackerKit project page: https://historic-robotic-spacecraft-patch-set.backerkit.com
If you originally backed using Facebook, BackerKit will send your survey to the email tied to that account. If you want it sent somewhere else, reach out to BackerKit support here: https://historic-robotic-spacecraft-patch-set.backerkit.com/faq
Thanks again for helping get this patch series produced — it was about time we expanded our tiny line of embroidered patches.
Here is the Last Minute Mars Exploration Rovers Design
So normally for these I have AI render my drawings as embroidered patches. Just for a mock up. It has done a pretty great job on them until now.
So I am just posting my design with simplified lines for embroidery. Even this render may have too much detail. I am concerned about how they will pull off the parachute lines. on the middle circle.
It is already added to the campaign. You will be able to add this patch to your pledge with the surveys. We have already started to compile those. So we will get this out sooner than we have in the past. We want these shipping out to you by Dec 10.
Our Next Project: Deck of Sol
We’re deep into design on our next crowdfunding project—a full deck of cards themed around the solar system. The number cards are already 90% complete, and now we’re moving on to the face cards and the Aces. We’ve reimagined the suits to match the theme (see below 👇), and unlike many novelty decks, we’re designing every single card, not just the face cards.
In the meantime please answer our poll. Should the cards have a traditional background or on black? while you are there, please follow the campaign so you can be notified when it goes live.
We are only about $325 away from unlocking Viking. I bet we could do this by Monday. It always slows down in the middle, usually with a bump toward the end.
Unlike many of the other missions in this series, this one never had an enamel pin version—so the patch will be a fresh render based on the original poster design.
If the title throws you off, it’s because it refers to the combined mission of Spirit and Opportunity, better known as the Mars Exploration Rovers. These twin robots helped redefine what we expect from surface missions, and this patch will finally give them their place in the series.
If you are already pledged, you can now go back in and add the new Shuttle patch, as well as ISS patch which was just added a few days ago.
We had a disappointing and yet — very cool error. Somehow I managed to order the Shuttle and LRV pins much too large. While in many ways this is pretty cool… it might be odd for some to have Apollo, and Vostok at 2" and these at 4".
Not as cool is what happened with ISS.
Way too small. Especially when arriving with these 4" versions.
All this to say that while we already reordered the three in their proper sizes. We are worried they may arrive later than we expected. It is still quite possible to get these in time for the holiday, it will be something more like Dec 18, which is cutting it close for arriving at some destinations.
So if you are good with getting the large LRV and Shuttle, and the small ISS — we could ship these asap. If not, we can wait and hope to get these revisions in a timely enough way to make the holiday. Since the surveys were sent long ago, we will send an email out to everyone to see what you want to do.
All the pins, patches, prints, and tees from across our projects, bundled and discounted for one last celebration before the year wraps. It’s a curated collection from everything backed in 2025, all in one place for a limited time.
