NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands next to her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. Taking place on Dec. 14, 2018, the countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 workers gathered together in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Apollo-era launch team member Carl Green, and Tiffany Lindsley Wardlow, strategic communications specialist in Exploration Ground Systems.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan, left, talks with an Artemis 1 launch team member in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only female launch team member in the firing room during Apollo 11 launch countdown activities.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In the background is Kennedy Director Bob Cabana.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, launch team members from Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 mingled in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are John Tribe, Apollo 11 launch team member; Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana; Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson; Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 astronaut; Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, with his daughters Ann (left) and Kate (right); and Kelvin Manning, associate director, technical.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, participates in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon; Apollo-era and Artemis launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left, are Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis 1 launch director; Charlie Mars, Apollo 11 launch team member; and Bob Sieck, Apollo 11 launch team member and former space shuttle launch director.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In the background is Kennedy Director Bob Cabana.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida about our plans to return to the Moon.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks to Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins. In the background is Kennedy Director Bob Cabana.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Kelvin Manning, left, Kennedy Space Center associate director, technical, talks to Bob Sieck, former Apollo 11 launch team member and space shuttle launch director, in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the background is Sean Quinn, director of Engineering.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Jessica Parsons, right, technical assistant to the Artemis 1 launch director, talks with a member of the Apollo 11 launch team in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson makes notes at her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. Taking place on Dec. 14, 2018, the countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Collins talked about the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 launch at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to launch team members from Apollo 11 and the current launch team for Artemis 1 in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson looks out over Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1, on Dec. 14, 2018. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At right is Bob Sieck, Apollo launch team member and former space shuttle launch director.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Collins talked about the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 launch at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

An overall view of Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center shows the launch team at work during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. Taking place on Dec. 14, 2018, the countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Collins talked about the moments leading up to the Apollo 11 launch at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Floirda. Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in the firing room.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, right, talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida about our plans to return to the Moon.

NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands next to her console in Firing Room 1 at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Control Center during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. Taking place on Dec. 14, 2018, the countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks with Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only woman in the firing room during Apollo 11 countdown activities. Blackwell-Thompson is the first female launch director. Apollo 11 launched atop the Saturn V rocket at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson stands in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Floirda. Apollo 11 and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in the firing room.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon; Apollo launch team member JoAnn Morgan, right, talks with a fellow team member in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only female in the firing room during Apollo 11 launch countdown activities.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon; Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, right, talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida about our plans to return to the Moon.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Artemis 1 Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, left, talks with an Apollo 11 launch team member and family in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Mari Forrestel, Artemis launch director technical assistant, Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, participates in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, participates in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members watch a live broadcast on monitors in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. On screen, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana is talking with Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins at Launch Complex 39A, the site of the Apollo 11 launch.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan visits Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Morgan was the only female in the firing room during Apollo 11 launch countdown activites. Apollo 11 launched on a Saturn V rocket at 9:32 a.m. on July 16, 1969.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis 1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Members of the Artemis launch team participate in the Artemis II Terminal Count Simulation #11 inside Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. The simulations go through launch day scenarios to help launch team members test software and make adjustments if needed during countdown operations. Four astronauts will venture around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission on NASA’s path to establishing a long-term presence for science and exploration through Artemis.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Michael Guzman, an umbilical engineer, monitors his console in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1, on Dec. 14, 2018. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch to the Moon, astronaut Michael Collins speaks to launch team members from Apollo 11 and the current launch team for Artemis 1 in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era launch team member JoAnn Morgan talks to NASA’s Derrol Nail at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida about what it was like to be the only female in the firing room on launch day.

Mark Tripp, center, monitors his console in Firing Room 1 in the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during a terminal countdown demonstration for Exploration Mission 1, or EM-1, on Dec. 14, 2018. The launch will be the first integrated test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft that will eventually take astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit to destinations such as the Moon and Mars. The countdown demonstration was intended to validate the launch team's capability to perform an EM-1 countdown and respond to challenges put into the system for practice.

On July 16, 2019, the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, Apollo-era and Artemis-1 launch team members mingle in Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.