— The next astronauts to fly to the moon are now wearing their pride for America's history on their sleeves.

NASA on Thursday (Jan. 22) formally revealed the Freedom 250 commemorative patch and announced that the Artemis II astronauts will wear the emblem "during their historic launch."

Set to fly by and beyond the moon — going farther into deep space than anyone has gone before — Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialist Christina Koch, all NASA astronauts, and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen with the Canadian Space Agency will return to Earth 10 days after their launch. The mission coincides with the United States' semiquincentennial.

"Honoring America's 250th anniversary ... the [patch's] theme, 'Rocket's Red Glare,' draws inspiration from the iconic lyric in The Star-Spangled Banner symbolizing perseverance, innovation and the enduring spirit of exploration that defines our nation," read a NASA description.

The four-inch (10-centimeter) circular patch depicts the Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifting off on a red plume. The booster is backdropped by a billowing American flag and positioned between the moon and Mars to one side and the "Freedom 250" logo on the other. The depiction of the moon includes an astronaut's boot print on its surface.

Freedom 250 is the national, non-partisan organization leading the celebration of the 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, establishing the United States.

The patch was produced by A-B Emblem and designed by artist Phillip Elkins.

"Realizing that I quite literally designed something that will travel out of this world is both humbling and surreal," wrote Elkins in a social media post. "Space has always represented something bigger than ourselves — curiosity, courage and the quiet belief that we're meant to keep exploring."

Wiseman, Glover, Koch and Hansen were first seen with the Freedom 250 patch at the rollout of their SLS rocket to the launch pad on Jan. 17. Standing together at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the four crewmates displayed the new addition to their NASA blue flight suits. The emblem was sewn to each of their left-arm sleeves, just below their elbows.

In addition to the Freedom 250 commemorative, the astronauts also wore the Artemis II mission patch, their respective space agency insignia and country flags and patches representing their previous spaceflights.

Hansen also had on his Canadian Space Agency personal patch, representing the indigenous communities in Canada.

The Freedom 250 emblem adds to other ways that NASA and the astronauts are helping to celebrate the milestone year. In December, the agency revealed the "America 250" logo on the two solid rocket boosters that will help launch Artemis II. The mission's Official Flight Kit (OFK) also includes three "America 250" flags to be flown to the moon and returned to Earth.