Apollo astronaut Al Worden speaks during a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where he was honored with the presentation of the an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Apollo astronaut Al Worden speaks during a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where he was honored with the presentation of the an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Apollo astronaut Al Worden, left, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, take a close look at Worden's Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program following a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where Worden was honored with the presentation of the award at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, talks about Apollo astronaut Al Worden during a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where Worden was honored with the presentation of the Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Apollo astronaut Al Worden, center, is flanked by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, right, and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana at a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where Worden was honored with the presentation of the an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, visits with Apollo astronaut Al Worden prior to a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where Worden was honored with the presentation of the an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Apollo astronaut Al Worden, center, flanked by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, right, and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana following a ceremony, Thursday, July 30, 2009, where Worden was honored with the presentation of the an Ambassador of Exploration Award for his contributions to the U.S. space program at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former Apollo astronaut James Lovell holds his Ambassador of Exploration Award, Friday, April 3, 2009, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, Md. Photo Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native Fred Haise Jr. was honored for a lifetime of achievement with NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award during a Dec. 2 ceremony at Gorenflo Elementary School in Biloxi. Haise subsequently presented the moon rock award to Gorenflo for display at the school. Participating in the ceremony were (l to r): Gorenflo Principal Tina Thompson, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Haise, Biloxi Public School District Superintendent Paul Tisdale and Stennis Director Gene Goldman.

Former Apollo astronaut James Lovell speaks after being presented the Ambassador of Exploration Award, Friday, April 3, 2009, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, Md. Photo Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

Bryan O'Connor, NASA Associate Administrator, Office of Mission Assurance and Safety, left, presents the Ambassador of Exploration Award to former Apollo astronaut James Lovell, Friday, April 3, 2009, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, Md. Photo Credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

Apollo 13 astronaut and Biloxi native Fred Haise Jr. smiles during a Dec. 2 ceremony at Gorenflo Elementary School in Biloxi honoring his space career. During the ceremony, Haise was presented with NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award (an encased moon rock). He subsequently presented the moon rock to Gorenflo officials for display at the school. Haise is best known as one of three astronauts who nursed a crippled Apollo 13 spacecraft back to Earth during a perilous 1970 mission. Although he was unable to walk on the moon as planned for that mission, Haise ended his astronaut career having logged 142 hours and 54 minutes in space. During the ceremony, he praised all those who contributed to the space program.

From left, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Rice University Electrical and Engineering Student Max Paul, Former Maryland Lieutenant Governor and niece of President John F. Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Apollo 11 Astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins all pose for a photograph in front of the NASA Ambassador of Exploration Award given posthumously to President John F. Kennedy and accepted on behalf of the Kennedy family by Townsend at the Apollo 40th anniversary celebration held at the National Air and Space Museum, Monday, July 20, 2009 in Washington. The award will be on permanent display at Rice University at the request of the Kennedy family. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (left) presents the Ambassador of Exploration Award (an encased moon rock) to Biloxi native and Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise Jr. (right) for his contributions to space exploration. During a Dec. 2 ceremony at Gorenflo elementary School in Biloxi, Miss., Bolden praised Haise for his overall space career and his performance on the Apollo 13 mission that was crippled two days after launch. Haise and fellow crewmembers nursed the spacecraft on a perilous trip back to Earth. 'The historic Apollo 13 mission was as dramatic as any Hollywood production,' Bolden said. 'When an explosion crippled his command module, Fred and his crewmates, Jim Lovell and Jack Swigert, guided their spacecraft around the moon and back to a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean - all while the world held its breath. While Fred didn't have the chance to walk on the moon, the cool courage and concentration in the face of crisis is among NASA's most enduring legacies.'

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden addresses guests who have gathered in Kennedy's Visitor Complex to celebrate Apollo astronaut Al Worden's receiving the Ambassador of Exploration Award. Worden is being honored for his contributions to the U.S. space program. The award, to be displayed at Kennedy, is a moon rock encased in Lucite, mounted for public display. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex in Florida, Apollo astronaut Al Worden (center) is flanked by Center Director Bob Cabana (left) and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. Worden was presented with the Ambassador of Exploration Award to honor his contributions to the U.S. space program. A moon rock encased in Lucite, the award is seen in the foreground and will be displayed at Kennedy. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex in Florida, Apollo astronaut Al Worden shares his thoughts about the Space Program after receiving the Ambassador of Exploration Award. Worden is being honored for his contributions to the U.S. space program. A moon rock encased in Lucite, the award is seen at right and will be displayed at Kennedy. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center's Visitor Complex in Florida, Apollo astronaut Al Worden shares his thoughts about the Space Program after receiving the Ambassador of Exploration Award. Worden is being honored for his contributions to the U.S. space program. A moon rock encased in Lucite, the award is seen at right and will be displayed at Kennedy. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA will honor Apollo astronaut Al Worden with the presentation of this Ambassador of Exploration Award, a moon rock encased in Lucite, mounted for public display. He is being honored for his contributions to the U.S. space program. Worden received the award during a ceremony July 30 at the Apollo Saturn V Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, where the moon rock will be displayed. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Director Bob Cabana speaks to an audience in Kennedy's Visitor Complex about Apollo astronaut Al Worden, who is receiving the Ambassador of Exploration Award. Worden is being honored for his contributions to the U.S. space program. The award, to be displayed at Kennedy, is a moon rock encased in Lucite, mounted for public display. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, External Relations Director Lisa Malone speaks to an audience in Kennedy's Visitor Complex about the Ambassador of Exploration Award being given to Al Worden, an Apollo astronaut. Worden is being honored for his contributions to the U.S. space program. The award, to be displayed at Kennedy, is a moon rock encased in Lucite, mounted for public display. Worden served as command module pilot for the Apollo 15 mission, which set several moon records for NASA, including the longest lunar surface stay time, the longest lunar extravehicular activity and the first use of a lunar roving vehicle. Worden spent 38 minutes in a spacewalk outside the command module and logged a total of 295 hours, 11 minutes in space during the mission. NASA is giving the Ambassador of Exploration Award to the first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. The rock is part of the 842 pounds of lunar samples collected during six Apollo expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Those astronauts who receive the award will then present the award to a museum of their choice. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CINCINNATI, OHIO - Former astronaut Neil Armstrong stands next to the NASA Ambassadors of Exploration award presented to him by NASA Administrator Michael Griffin. Armstrong received the award that includes a moon rock to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the astronauts and others who were part of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. A former naval aviator, NASA test pilot and Apollo 11 commander, Armstrong was the first human to ever land a spacecraft on the moon and the first to step on the lunar surface. Armstrong's award will be displayed at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NASA Administrator Michael Griffin presented the NASA Ambassadors of Exploration award to Neil Armstrong (left). At right is former awardee John Glenn. Armstrong received the award that includes a moon rock to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the astronauts and others who were part of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. A former naval aviator, NASA test pilot and Apollo 11 commander, Armstrong was the first human to ever land a spacecraft on the moon and the first to step on the lunar surface. Armstrong's award will be displayed at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. Photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa's family recently was presented with the NASA Ambassador of Exploration Award, recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of the Apollo, Gemini and Mercury astronauts. Attending the ceremony, seen here (from left), are James Kennedy, director, NASA Kennedy Space Center; Jeffrey Jezierski (J. T.), White House liaison, NASA; Daniel Gruenbaum, general manager of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame; and Roosa's family, his son Col. Christopher Roosa, USMC; his widow Joan Roosa, (in wheelchair); his daughter Rosemary Roosa; and daughter-in-law Whitney and his son Allen Roosa. Each of the honored astronauts or their surviving families was presented with a lunar sample, part of the 842 pounds of moon rocks and soil returned during the six lunar expeditions from 1969 to 1972. Roosa's family chose to display the award that featured a small piece of the moon at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in Titusville, Fla.