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US Space Force logo draws comparisons to 'Star Trek'
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This combination of pictures created on January 24, 2020, and courtesy US Air Force show the new logo (L) for the United States Space Force, founded December 20, 2019, which was revealed by US President Donald Trump on January 24, 2020, and the logo for the Air Force Space Command, active from September 1982 to December 2019. (HO/US AIR FORCE/AFP/File)
U
S President Donald Trump unveiled the logo of Space Force on Friday, attracting critics who said America's newest military branch had boldly gone where Star Trek went before.
With a central symbol resembling an arrowhead, ringed by an orbiting object and set to a starry backdrop, many users argued the design was pilfered from the famous science fiction franchise.
But a spokesman for the branch hit back, arguing the "Delta" emblem had been used by Air Force space organizations as early as 1961, before the first Star Trek show aired.
"After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military!" wrote Trump of the branch that he championed and which came into being in December 2019.
After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military! pic.twitter.com/TC8pT4yHFT
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2020
It drew immediate mockery among social media users.
"Should've been consulting with Gene Roddenberry's lawyers," said the popular "Pourmecoffee" account, referring to the late screenwriter and producer of Star Trek's original series and its first spin-off, The Next Generation.
Read also: 'Star Trek' return 'irresistible', says Patrick Stewart at new series premiere
The logo bears an uncanny resemblance to the insignia of Starfleet -- the peacekeeping and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets alliance, which is headquartered on Earth whose adversaries include Klingons and Romulans.
It has appeared as a pin on the uniforms of iconic Star Trek characters such as Captain Kirk and Spock ever since the original series debuted in 1966, and continues to feature in the franchise's current shows and movies.
Star Trek has indeed a long history of influencing real world innovations from tablet computers to needle-free medicine injectors and real time translators.
A US Space Force spokesperson however said the critics were being highly illogical.
"The delta symbol, the central design element in the seal, was first used as early as 1942 by the US Army Air Forces; and was used in early Air Force space organization emblems dating back to 1961," the spokesperson said.
