CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Standing next to a Starfighter aircraft at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lee A. Archer Jr., one of the Tuskegee Airmen, shares his experiences as a combat fighter pilot. Earlier, Archer made a special presentation to the Kennedy work force, talking about his years as a combat fighter pilot, civil rights leader and business executive. Archer is the only Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilot to receive the honor “Ace” for shooting down five enemy aircraft during WWII. He retired as Air Force Command Pilot after 30 years of military service, 1941-1971. Archer is at Kennedy to serve as Military Marshall of the 2008 KSC Space & Air Show, Nov. 8-9. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

A B-52 "H" model, on loan to NASA Dryden from the U.S. Air Force, touches down at Edwards Air Force Base, California, July 30, 2001.

A B-52H, tail number 61-0025, arrives at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center after landing July 30, 2001.

A B-52H, on loan to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, makes a pass down the runway prior to landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Fernando Caldeiro (left) and Joseph Tellado (right) present a memento of appreciation to Charles A. Gambaro (center), NASA KSC engineering lead and Combat Engineering Group commander, who recently returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Gambaro was the guest speaker at KSC’s annual Hispanic American Heritage luncheon. The theme was “Hispanic Americans Making a Difference.” Caldeiro was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Tellado was co-chair of the event hosted by the Hispanic Employment Program Working Group. The annual event helps employees reflect on the extensive contributions Hispanics have made to KSC, NASA and the nation.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Center Director Bob Cabana presents an award to retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lee A. Archer Jr., one of the Tuskegee Airmen, during a special presentation to the work force at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Archer shared his experiences as combat fighter pilot, civil rights leader and business executive. Archer is the only Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilot to receive the honor “Ace” for shooting down five enemy aircraft during WWII. He retired as Air Force Command Pilot after 30 years of military service, 1941-1971. Archer is at Kennedy to serve as Military Marshall of the 2008 KSC Space & Air Show, Nov. 8-9. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lee A. Archer Jr. (seated at center), one of the Tuskegee Airmen, autographs photos for guests after a special presentation to the work force at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Archer shared his experiences as combat fighter pilot, civil rights leader and business executive. Archer is the only Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilot to receive the honor “Ace” for shooting down five enemy aircraft during WWII. He retired as Air Force Command Pilot after 30 years of military service, 1941-1971. Archer is at Kennedy to serve as Military Marshall of the 2008 KSC Space & Air Show, Nov. 8-9. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to takeoff to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 depart USS John P. Murtha as they conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to takeoff to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the cost of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft.Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 depart USS John P. Murtha as they conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to takeoff to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to takeoff to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to takeoff to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 depart USS John P. Murtha as they conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on USS John P. Murtha prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the cost of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft.Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen after arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen after arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen arriving on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as they prepare to conduct air operations training as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Monday, April 6, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander, greets Capt. Loren “Wookie” Jacobi of Naval Base San Diego after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander, and Victor Glover, pilot, greet NASA team members after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander, and Victor Glover, pilot, are seen after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, commander, greets NASA team members after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet for the return flight to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane prepare for takeoff of their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet from the Shuttle Landing Facility for the return flight to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane take off from the Shuttle Landing Facility aboard their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet for the return flight to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane fly over the Launch Complex 39 area in their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet as they return to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet lands at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Aboard are Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane. They flew into Kennedy to begin preparations for their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane board their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet as they prepare to return to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Behind them is one of the U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets flown by the Blue Angels. The pilots flew into Kennedy to begin preparations for their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet taxis on the Shuttle Landing Facility runway at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Aboard are Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane. They flew into Kennedy to begin preparations for their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane pose for the media in front of one of the U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets flown by the Blue Angels. The pilots flew into NASA's Kennedy Space Center to begin preparations for their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane board their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet as they prepare to return to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane prepare for takeoff of their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet from the Shuttle Landing Facility for the return flight to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Behind them is one of the U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets flown by the Blue Angels. The pilots flew into Kennedy to begin preparations for their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Behind them is one of the U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets flown by the Blue Angels. The pilots flew into Kennedy to begin preparations for their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Nov. 8-9. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane take a last look at the center from their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet as they return to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- After meeting with NASA officials about their involvement in the second annual Space & Air Show at Kennedy Space Center Nov. 8-9, Blue Angel pilots Lt. Frank Weisser and Lt. Dan McShane take a last look at the center from their U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet as they return to their home base in Pensacola, Fla. The air show will be only the second time the Blue Angels have performed at Kennedy. Their precision flight team will perform high-speed passes, fast rolls, mirror formations, tight turns and their signature Delta formation showcasing the capabilities of the powerful aircraft. The 2008 Space & Air Show will include aircraft displays and space-related exhibits on the ground and plenty of action in the skies over Kennedy. Returning to the show is the 920th Rescue Wing, an Air Force Reserve Command combat search and rescue unit based at Patrick Air Force Base in Central Florida. Also, more than 20 astronauts and special guests will be on hand to personally meet guests, pose for photos and sign memorabilia. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot as teams work to bring the crewmembers aboard USS John P. Murtha, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Glover, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the crewmembers and Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams onboard USS John P. Murtha prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 with NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, approaches the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California as teams work to bring the crewmembers aboard. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Wiseman, Hansen, and NASA astronauts Victor Glover, pilot; and Christina Koch, mission specialist; on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the crewmembers and Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist as teams work to bring the crewmembers aboard USS John P. Murtha, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Koch, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the crewmembers and Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Two U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen from aboard USS John P. Murtha as NASA, U.S. Navy., and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT). Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander as teams work to bring the crewmembers aboard USS John P. Murtha, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Wiseman, NASA astronauts Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the crewmembers and Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha during sunset as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander is seen sitting in a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 is seen as it lifts CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist as teams work to bring the crewmembers aboard USS John P. Murtha, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took Hansen, NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; and Christina Koch, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the crewmembers and Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams return with the Artemis II crewmembers, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams prepare for the the return of the Artemis II crewmembers to Earth, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls/Joel Kowsky)

U.S. Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha as NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams return with the Artemis II crewmembers, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission is taking NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back aboard their Orion spacecraft. Wiseman, Glover, Koch, and Hansen are scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at approximately 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on Friday, April 10. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander is seen standing next to a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 talking with NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, left, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, talk with NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring at their Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, and Christina Koch were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander is seen sitting in a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, left, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, talk with NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring at their Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, and Christina Koch were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander is seen sitting in a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, gives NASA Flight Surgeon Richard Scheuring a hug next to a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after he and fellow crewmates NASA Astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Victor Glover, pilot, is seen after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen as they arrive at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. after flying from USS John P. Murtha with Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Christina Koch, mission specialist, right, joined by Tarah Castleberry, flight surgeon, left, is seen after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen as they arrive at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. after flying from USS John P. Murtha with Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Christina Koch, mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, greet NASA team members after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen as they arrive at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. after flying from USS John P. Murtha with Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Christina Koch, mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, greet NASA team members after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen as they arrive at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. after flying from USS John P. Murtha with Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Victor Glover, pilot, greets Capt. Loren “Wookie” Jacobi of Naval Base San Diego after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Artemis II NASA astronaut Victor Glover, pilot, is seen after being flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island on Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Navy MH-60 Seahawks from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 are seen as they arrive at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. after flying from USS John P. Murtha with Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist onboard, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman disembarks a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 after Artemis II NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, commander; Victor Glover, pilot; Christina Koch, mission specialist; and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, mission specialist were flown from USS John P. Murtha to Naval Air Station North Island, Saturday, April 11, 2026, following a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT) on April 10. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly ten day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

NASA's new white B-52H, shared ramp space with the veteran NASA B-52B mother ship in Wichita, Kansas, April 12, 2002 during the 50th anniversary of the B-52 aircraft.

B-52H over Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA's new white B-52H, destined to join a veteran B-52B mother ship at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, was exhibited at the Boeing plant in Wichita, Kansas, April 12, 2002 during the 50th anniversary commemoration of the B-52 series of aircraft.

B-52H over Dryden Flight Research Center

NASA's veteran silver B-52B, foreground, joined the new B-52H in NASA markings for a ceremony in Wichita, Kansas, April 12, 2002, marking the 50th anniversary of the B-52 aircraft

NASA Dryden's B-52H in flight

NASA Dryden's B-52H in flight.

A newly arrived B-52H is seen here alongside NASA Dryden's venerable B-52 "B" model during its arrival ceremony on August 1, 2001.

This is the official NASA portrait of astronaut Edwin E. (Buzz) Aldrin. Prior to joining NASA, Aldrin flew 66 combat missions in F-86s while on duty in Korea. At Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, he served as an aerial gunnery instructor. Following his assignment as aide to the dean of faculty at the Air Force Academy, Aldrin flew F-100s as a flight commander at Bitburg, Germany. Aldrin was one of the third group of astronauts named by NASA in October 1963 and has logged 289 hours and 53 minutes in space, of which, 7 hours and 52 minutes were spent in Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA). On November 11, 1966, he launched into space aboard the Gemini 12 spacecraft on a 4-day flight, which brought the Gemini program to a successful close. During that mission, Aldrin established a new record for EVA, spending 5-1/2 hours outside the spacecraft. July 16-24, 1969, Aldrin served as lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission. Aldrin followed Neil Armstrong onto the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, completing a 2-hour and 15 minute lunar EVA. Aldrin resigned from NASA in July 1971.

David A. Wright is associate director for Center Operations at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. He was formerly director of Flight Operations. He is also a research pilot, flying NASA's ER-2 and T-38. The ER-2s are civilian variants of the military U-2S reconnaissance aircraft and carry scientific instruments to study the Earth during worldwide deployments. Wright has more than 4,500 hours in six different aircraft. He held the position of deputy director of the Airborne Science Program at Dryden from 2002 until 2004. Wright came to Dryden after retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. His final assignment was to the Joint Staff J3, Directorate of Operations at the Pentagon from November 1996 until August 1999. Prior to the Pentagon assignment, he served as commander of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base near Marysville, Calif., the unit responsible for training all U-2 pilots. He was the operations officer for one the largest U-2 operations in history, flying combat missions against Iraq and managing an unprecedented U-2 flying schedule during the 1991 Desert Storm conflict. He was selected for the Air Force U-2 program in 1987 following duty as an aircraft commander in the E-3A AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft. Wright was a T-38 instructor for three years at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, following completion of pilot training in 1978. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and computer science. Wright earned a Master of Arts in Adult Education from Troy State University, Montgomery, Ala., in 1987, and a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, R.I., in 1995.

ISS014-E-07480 (11 Nov. 2006) --- Dyess Air Force Base is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 14 crewmember on the International Space Station. Dyess Air Force Base, located near the central Texas city of Abilene, is the home of the 7th Bomb Wing and 317th Airlift Groups of the United States Air Force. The Base also conducts all initial Air Force combat crew training for the B-1B Lancer aircraft. The main runway is approximately 5 kilometers in length to accommodate the large bombers and cargo aircraft at the base -- many of which are parked in parallel rows on the base tarmac. Lieutenant Colonel William E. Dyess, for whom the base is named, was a highly decorated pilot, squadron commander, and prisoner of war during World War II. The nearby town of Tye, Texas was established by the Texas and Pacific Railway in 1881, and expanded considerably following reactivation of a former air field as Dyess Air Force Base in 1956. Airfields and airports are useful sites for astronauts to hone their long camera lens photographic technique to acquire high resolution images. The sharp contrast between highly reflective linear features, such as runways, with darker agricultural fields and undisturbed land allows fine focusing of the cameras. This on-the-job training is key for obtaining high resolution imagery of Earth, as well as acquiring inspection photographs of space shuttle thermal protection tiles during continuing missions to the International Space Station.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, right, hug Scott Tingle, Chief of the Astronaut Office next to a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist are welcomed home by Scott Tingle, Chief of the Astronaut Office next to a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist are seen sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, left, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, are seen sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist are seen sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist are seen sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist are seen sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, left, and NASA astronaut Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist are seen sitting on a Navy MH-60 Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 on the flight deck of USS John P. Murtha after they and fellow crewmates CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, and NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, were extracted from their Orion spacecraft after splashdown, Friday, April 10, 2026, in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. NASA’s Artemis II mission took the quartet on a nearly 10-day journey around the Moon and back to Earth. Following a splashdown at 5:07 p.m. PDT (8:07 p.m. EDT), NASA, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force teams are working to bring the Orion spacecraft aboard the recovery ship. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Richard G. (Dick) Ewers became a pilot in the Flight Crew Branch of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, in May 1998. His flying duties focus on operation of the Airborne Science DC-8 and Systems Research F/A-18 aircraft, but he also maintains qualifications in the King Air and T-34C. He has more than 32 years and nearly 9,000 hours of military and civilian flight experience in all types of aircraft from jet fighters to blimps. Ewers came to NASA Dryden from a position as an engineering test pilot with Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Division (formerly Westinghouse's Electronic Systems Group). He spent eight and a half years with Westinghouse flight testing radar and forward looking infrared systems under development for military and civilian use. Before going to work for Westinghouse, Ewers served for more than 21 years as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter and test pilot, flying F-4, A-4, and F/A-18 aircraft. He underwent flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., in 1969-70. He was subsequently assigned to both fighter/attack and reconnaissance squadrons before ultimately commanding an F-4S squadron for two years. Additionally, his flying included combat service in Vietnam and operational exchange tours with both U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force squadrons flying F-4s around the world, including off aircraft carriers. Ewers graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1981 and subsequently served two tours as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md. Most of his flight test experience was with the F/A-18 Hornet. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Ewers graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1968 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering mechanics. He earned a master of science degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida in 1970.

Edwin W. Lewis Jr. is a research pilot in the Airborne Science program, Flight Crew Branch, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. He currently flies the DC-8, F/A-18, Lear Jet 24, King Air, and T-34C in support of Dryden's flight operations and is mentor pilot for the King Air and the Lear Jet. Prior to accepting this assignment Lewis was a pilot for eight years at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, flying 10 different aircraft C-130B, DC-8-72, UH-1, SH-3, King Air, Lear 24, T-38A, T-39G and YO-3A in support of NASA flight missions. Lewis also flew the Kuiper Airborne Observatory (a modified civilian version of the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter). He was project pilot for Ames' 747 and T-38 programs. Lewis was born in New York City on May 19, 1936, and began flight training as a Civil Air Patrol cadet in 1951, ultimately earning his commercial pilot's certificate in 1958. He received a bachelor of arts degree in biology from Hobart College, Geneva, N.Y., and entered the U.S. Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Following pilot training he was assigned to Moody Air Force Base, Ga., as an instructor pilot, for both the T-33 and T-37 aircraft. He served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966, where he was a forward air controller, instructor and standardization/evaluation pilot, flying more than 1,000 hours in the O-1 "Bird Dog." Lewis separated from the regular Air Force and joined Pan American World Airways and the 129th Air Commando Group, California Air National Guard (ANG) based in Hayward, California. During his 18-year career with the California ANG he flew the U-6, U-10, C-119, HC-130 aircraft and the HH-3 helicopter. He retired as commander, 129th Air Rescue and Recovery Group, a composite combat rescue group, in the grade of colonel. During his 22 years as an airline pilot, he flew the Boeing 707, 727 and 747. He took early retirement from Pan American in 1989 to become a pilot with NASA.

James Barrilleaux is the assistant chief pilot for ER-2s in the Flight Crew Branch of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California. The ER-2s--civilian variants of the military U-2S reconnaissance aircraft--are part of NASA's Airborne Science program. The ER-2s can carry airborne scientific payloads of up to 2,600 pounds to altitudes of about 70,000 feet to investigate such matters as earth resources, celestial phenomena, atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, and oceanic processes. Barrilleaux has held his current position since February 1998. Barrilleaux joined NASA in 1986 as a U-2/ER-2 pilot with NASA's Airborne Science program at Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. He flew both the U-2C (until 1989) and the ER-2 on a wide variety of missions both domestic and international. Barrilleaux flew high-altitude operations over Antarctica in which scientific instruments aboard the ER-2 defined the cause of ozone depletion over the continent, known as the ozone hole. He has also flown the ER-2 over the North Pole. Barrilleaux served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force before he joined NASA. He completed pilot training at Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, Texas, in 1966. He flew 120 combat missions as a F-4 fighter pilot over Laos and North Vietnam in 1970 and 1971. He joined the U-2 program in 1974, becoming the commander of an overseas U-2 operation in 1982. In 1983, he became commander of the squadron responsible for training all U-2 pilots and SR-71 crews located at Beale Air Force Base, Marysville, California. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1986. On active duty, he flew the U-2, F-4 Phantom, the T-38, T-37, and the T-33. His decorations included two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 12 Air Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, and other Air Force and South Vietnamese awards. Barrilleaux earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University, College Station, in 1964 and a master of science