The European Space Agency has unveiled the logo for astronaut Frank De Winne’s tenure in charge of the International Space Station.

The OasISS mission will see De Winne will become the station’s first European commander in October this year. ESA says:

The ISS itself can be considered an oasis in space for its astronauts and cosmonauts, whilst Earth is often referred to as the Blue Planet and represents an oasis for humankind in the Universe.

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Our planet is shown as a drop of water, resembling Earth as seen by the astronauts on the ISS. The importance of water for life is represented by the tree that grows out of the arms of a man. He is rooted in the Station and its scientific utilisation. Water flows through the man’s arms and the branches of the tree.

However the logo’s giant, glowing, blue man astride the space station causes The Great Beyond to ask whether someone at ESA’s graphic design department has become a tad obsessed with recent movie Watchmen. Based on a 1980’s graphic novel, the movie features a character called Dr Manhattan (picture), a giant, glowing, blue man who decides to leave the Earth.

Coincidence?

Image: ESA