####### About the THOR System Flight Patch and Logo

The THOR System flight patch conceptually illustrates key elements of
the NASA/GSFC Earth Sciences cloud measurement instrument. The acronym
THOR stands for (Cloud) **TH**ickness from **O**ffbeam **R**eturns. The
Principle Investigator is Bob Cahalan, Code 913.

Inspiration for the THOR project name came from Norse mythology. THOR
was the powerful god of thunder who wielded a mighty hammer called
Mjollnir. Legends depict THOR as a powerful entity often surrounded by
large storm clouds, so it was fitting to choose THOR and his hammer to
symbolize the new cloud-measuring device.

The THOR instrument is symbolically depicted in the flight patch as a
stylized version of THOR's hammer (see below). Hammer design was based
on photos of ancient Norse amulets. In mythology, THOR's hammer,
Mjollnir, was often believed to be a source of lightning. More on the
relevance of that symbology follows later.

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.4993055555555554in"
height="2.2583333333333333in"}

The THOR System uses a powerful, green laser to generate a
cloud-measuring signal. The system laser is depicted in the flight patch
by the prominent end of the hammer; a green laser beam is shown
emanating from it.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.9493055555555556in"
height="2.1104166666666666in"}

When a laser beam strikes cloud, a halo is created as depicted in the
flight patch.

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="5.55625in" height="3.6479166666666667in"}

Scattered and reflected light rays (returns) from the halo are collected
by the system's telescope. The telescope is represented symbolically in
the flight patch by the head of the hammer; reflected light is shown
being collected by it.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="5.55625in" height="3.6479166666666667in"}

Cloud thickness can be determined from the halo diameter and timing
information as the halo forms. It is interesting to note that when
lightning strikes a cloud, a halo of light is created in the cloud,
similar to the halo created by a laser. That fact ties together the
mythology of THOR's hammer as a source of lightning, instrument
operation, and flight patch symbology.

The top of the flight patch is a banner that states the purpose of the
instrument and defines the THOR acronym.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="6.851388888888889in"
height="1.7034722222222223in"}

The bottom of the flight patch repeats the symbolic representation of
the hammer head and encloses the organizations involved in the
instrument development

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="7.022222222222222in"
height="1.832638888888889in"}

The Flight Patch was designed by John Kolasinski, THOR Instrument Chief
Engineer, Code 565, with direction from Bob Cahalan. Special thanks go
to Diwan Bhathal, Code 565, and Debbi McLean of GSFC Graphics Arts for
design assistance and artistic guidance.

![](media/image7.jpeg){width="4.8069444444444445in" height="5.8in"}

The THOR System Flight Patch may be produced in an embroidered cloth
version or decal as opportunities present themselves.

The THOR Logo is a simple, stylized icon for the project. The Logo was
designed to have recognizable details when printed in very small sizes
(\~ 0.5 inches). The THOR Logo may be used as a project icon for
documentation, since flight patch details and lettering are lost when
printed in small form (compare previous page small patch graphic to the
small Logo below).

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="0.9597222222222223in"
height="0.7736111111111111in"}

The THOR Logo uses symbols that are similar to those contained in the
flight patch: hammer, clouds, and project acronym (see below).

![](media/image9.jpeg){width="1.3597222222222223in"
height="1.0930555555555554in"} ![](media/image10.jpeg){width="2.5in"
height="1.94375in"}

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="2.5in" height="1.0402777777777779in"}

The Logo was designed by John Kolasinski with direction from Bob
Cahalan. Special thanks go to Diwan Bhathal, Code 565 and Debbi McLean
of GSFC Graphics Arts for design assistance and artistic guidance.

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="3.0791666666666666in"
height="2.4868055555555557in"}

The THOR Logo may be produced in an embroidered cloth version or decal
as opportunities present themselves.