When President Donald Trump introduced the design for the Space Force Friday, people couldn’t help but note a striking similarity to another famous logo: Starfleet Command.
As in Starfleet Command from “Star Trek.”
“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!” Trump tweeted, sharing the image.
Actress and activist Alyssa Milano was among those who made the comparison between the Space Force design and the Starfleet Command logo.
The two images use similar central shapes and orbit lines.
One of the chief differences: where the Space Force logo says “Department of the Air Force,” the Starfleet Command logo says “United Federation of Planets."
Due to the similarity of the designs, some suggested CBS or the estate of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry could take legal action.
Of course, this presented a prime opportunity for the use of “Star Trek” GIFS and images.
George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu in “Star Trek," commented on the logo similarity by suggesting a new one.
“May I suggest a more politically aligned logo for the Trump Administration to emulate for their new #SpaceForce?” he tweeted, using the hashtag #ImperialWhiteHouse.
His suggestion: the Imperial insignia from “Star Wars."
Takei’s “Star Trek” co-star, William Shatner, responded to the expectation for him to comment on the likeness.
“Why aren’t you asking @StarTrek or @CBS if they are going to file suit for copyright infringement?” Shatner tweeted.
Some saw it as a simple case of life imitating art. But the Starfleet Command logo actually took inspiration from NASA’s “meatball” logo.
The Starfleet arrow, or delta, is derived from the vector in the old NASA logo.
The similarities can also be seen in the logo for Air Force Space Command, the entity that preceded the Space Force.
Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
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