The Space Bat meme originates from a series of photos taken during the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-119) in March 2009. A fruit bat was spotted clinging to the foam insulation of the external fuel tank, and despite the vibrations and intense heat of liftoff, it remained attached for a significant portion of the ascent. NASA officials confirmed the bat likely perished during the climb, but the internet quickly canonized the creature as a tiny, brave explorer who dared to reach for the stars. The meme is typically used to honor someone embarking on a courageous but doomed journey, or to symbolize the 'little guy' facing insurmountable odds with quiet dignity and cosmic ambition.