US Space Force logo copied from Star Trek?
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 organisations 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.
It drew immediate mockery among social media users.
The logo bears an uncanny resemblance to the insignia of Starfleet - the peacekeeping and exploration force of the United Federation of Planets alliance.
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.