Last year, when Buzz Lightyear returned home from space, Disney Parks launched an online Mission Patch Design Challenge. It was simple — students had the opportunity to design a NASA mission patch to commemorate Buzz’s return and the most creative entry and 100-word essay would win. Well, we have a winner.

Adam Carr, 11, of Tampa, Florida, created a patch showing Buzz soaring past the International Space Station that’s pretty unique. NASA has decided to make Adam’s design into a commemorative mission patch that’ll be flown into space on a future mission. After the mission, he’ll get the patch with a certificate from NASA and Disney Parks.

Adam says he dreams of one day becoming an astronaut and hopes his design will inspire others to reach for the stars. Congratulations, Adam.

Tagged: MK, NASA, WDW

Filed: Walt Disney World Resort

Here at Disney Parks, ticker-tape parades are a big deal. But Buzz Lightyear is back — mission completed. And we’re celebrating at Walt Disney World Resort.

Buzz’s achievement as the longest tenured Space Ranger in space was celebrated on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom Park. Buzz’s closest friends, including Buzz Aldrin joined in the fun.

Buzz Lightyear recently returned home aboard Space Shuttle Discovery STS-128 after more than 15 months in space. If you recall, he launched the Disney Parks-NASA Space Ranger Education Series last year after joining the shuttle Discovery crew’s mission to the International Space Station.

Since then, Buzz has been encouraging students to pursue math, science and tech studies. Special material for educators and online games were released to begin the mission. And, a successful return to Earth brings a new Space Ranger Education Series game.

Disney Parks and NASA also launched an online Mission Patch Design Challenge that will run from October 2 through November 6. Students ages 6-12 will have the opportunity to design a mission patch to commemorate Buzz’s return. The student with the most creative mission patch and 100-word essay will win a trip to Walt Disney World Resort and a VIP tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. More information on the Mission Patch Design Challenge is available at http://www.Disneyparks.com/Buzz.

Tagged: Buzz, Buzz Lightyear, MK, NASA, Toy Story, WDW

Filed: Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort