Astronaut Sally Ride at the CapCom console during the STS-2 simulation. She appears to be speaking to the crew using a headset.

jsc2026e021107 (April 4, 2026) – CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut and backup Artemis II crew member Jenni Gibbons serves as capsule communicator (capcom) during an Orion manual piloting demonstration on the fourth day of the mission. Credit: NASA/Bill Stafford

STS056-S-080 (13 April 1993) --- Astronauts Kevin P. Chilton (left) and Curtis L. Brown Jr. are seen at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console in the flight control room of Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC). The two are part of the CAPCOM team who communicated with the five crewmembers aboard Discovery for the STS-56 mission in Earth orbit.

JSC2001-E-06212 (8 March 2001) --- Astronaut Michael J. Bloomfield at the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in JSC's Mission Control Center checks into possible weather effects for the scheduled launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Bloomfield was backing up weather CAPCOM Scott D. Altman, who was seated at the console, along with CAPCOM Christopher J. (Gus) Loria.

JSC2000-E-29791 (30 November 2000) --- Astronaut Dominic L. Gorie, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), follows STS-97 pre-launch activity from the CAPCOM console in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) at Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC).

JSC2002-E-08144 (1 March 2002) --- Good news concerning the anticipated launch of STS-109 reaches the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in the Shuttle Flight Control Room of the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center. From left, astronauts William A. Oefelein, Charles O. Hobaugh and Mark L. Polansky, obviously are pleased with the news, possibly connected to improving weather at the launch site for the Space Shuttle Columbia several hundred miles away in Florida. Astronaut Polansky is ascent CAPCOM and Hobaugh closely monitors the Florida weather for the CAPCOM position.

S83-30192 (8 April 1983) --- Vice President George Bush talks to the Earth-orbiting STS-6 astronauts from the spacecraft communicators; (CAPCOM) console in the mission operations control room (MOCR) of the Johnson Space Center?s mission control center. Astronaut Roy D. Bridges, is one of the CAPCOM personnel on duty. JSC Director Gerald D. Griffin, left, watches a large monitor (out of frame) on which the TV scene of the four-member Challenger crew is visible. This photo was made by Otis Imboden.

JSC2001-E-12118 (19 April 2001) --- Left to right, astronaut Christopher J. (Gus) Loria, astronaut Scott D. Altman, flight director LeRoy Cain and flight director John Shannon keep up with STS-100 pre-launch activities from their consoles in the shuttle flight control room in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC). Altman is ascent spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) and is assisted by Loria, CAPCOM specializing in weather issues. Cain is ascent flight director.

Astronauts Roy D. Bridges (left) and RIchard O. Covey serve as spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) for STS-6. They are seated at the CAPCOM console in the mission operations control room (MOCR) of JSC's mission control center (30119); Flight Director Jay H. Greene communicates with a nearby flight controller in the MOCR just after launch of the Challenger (30120).

S83-30190 (8 April 1983) --- Vice President George Bush talks to the Earth-orbiting STS-6 astronauts from the spacecraft communicators; (CAPCOM) console in the mission operations control room (MOCR) of the Johnson Space Center?s mission control center. Astronaut Roy D. Bridges, left, is one of the CAPCOM personnel on duty.

JSC2002-E-08148 (1 March 2002) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, seated at the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in the Shuttle Flight Control Room of the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center, talks on the communications "loop" with launch controllers in Florida about the pre-launch situation for the Space Shuttle Columbia and NASA's STS-109 mission at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Astronaut Polansky is ascent CAPCOM for the STS-109 mission.

JSC2006-E-54451 (17 Dec. 2006) --- Astronauts Stephen K. Robinson and Joseph R. Tanner, spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM), communicate with the STS-116 crew and its spacewalkers participating in an unprecedented fourth session of extravehicular activity on the same shuttle mission. The two spacewalk veterans are seated at the CAPCOM console in the space station flight control room (FCR-1) in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center.

JSC2002-E-08145 (1 March 2002) --- Astronaut Charles Hobaugh, standing near the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in the Shuttle Flight Control Room of the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center, talks with astronaut Mark L. Polansky (out of frame), STS-109 ascent CAPCOM. They were monitoring the pre-launch situation at the Kennedy Space Center launch site, several hundred miles away. Hobaugh's duties, among others, were to keep up with weather conditions at and around the launch site.

jsc2019e029855 (05-22-2019) --- 2017 NASA astronaut candidate Loral O’Hara on works as a capsule communicator (CAPCOM) in the Mission Control Center to learn communication protocol at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Mission Control Center in Houston. CAPCOM is the individual who communicates with crew members during flight. Photo Credit: (NASA/Allison Bills)

Serving as spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) are Astronauts Guy S. Gardner (left), William F. Fisher (center), Bryan D. O'Connor (seated facing console), and Jeffrey A. Hoffman. Cheevon B. Lau is seated at the flight activities officer (FAO) console to the right of the CAPCOM console. The scene on the large screen in the mission operations control room (MOCR) is a replay of the launch of the Challenger (39264); Flight Director Jay H. Greene, left, watches a replay of the STS-8 launch on the large screen in the MOCR. He is joined by O'Connor, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Gardner and Fisher. Lau works at the FAO console near the CAPCOM console (39265); Harold Black, integrated communications officer (INCO) for STS-8 mans the INCO console during the first TV downlink from the Challengers flight. The payload bay can be seen on the screen in the front of the MOCR (39266).

Serving as spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) are Astronauts Guy S. Gardner (left), William F. Fisher (center), Bryan D. O'Connor (seated facing console), and Jeffrey A. Hoffman. Cheevon B. Lau is seated at the flight activities officer (FAO) console to the right of the CAPCOM console. The scene on the large screen in the mission operations control room (MOCR) is a replay of the launch of the Challenger (39264); Flight Director Jay H. Greene, left, watches a replay of the STS-8 launch on the large screen in the MOCR. He is joined by O'Connor, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Gardner and Fisher. Lau works at the FAO console near the CAPCOM console (39265); Harold Black, integrated communications officer (INCO) for STS-8 mans the INCO console during the first TV downlink from the Challengers flight. The payload bay can be seen on the screen in the front of the MOCR (39266).

Serving as spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) are Astronauts Guy S. Gardner (left), William F. Fisher (center), Bryan D. O'Connor (seated facing console), and Jeffrey A. Hoffman. Cheevon B. Lau is seated at the flight activities officer (FAO) console to the right of the CAPCOM console. The scene on the large screen in the mission operations control room (MOCR) is a replay of the launch of the Challenger (39264); Flight Director Jay H. Greene, left, watches a replay of the STS-8 launch on the large screen in the MOCR. He is joined by O'Connor, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Gardner and Fisher. Lau works at the FAO console near the CAPCOM console (39265); Harold Black, integrated communications officer (INCO) for STS-8 mans the INCO console during the first TV downlink from the Challengers flight. The payload bay can be seen on the screen in the front of the MOCR (39266).

jsc2018e088236 (July 3, 2017) --- Portrait of NASA astronaut Nicole Mann seated at the CAPCOM console in Houston's Mission Control Center during the release of the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle from the International Space Station.

JSC2000-06252 (September 2000) --- Holding logos, flight director Kelly Beck and spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) Ellen Ochoa pose with the flight control team that supported Orbit 2 during the STS-106 mission.

This is a wide-angle view of flight controllers in the MOCR of Mission Control Center (MCC) during the STS-6 Extravehicular Activity (EVA). They are watching the large monitor in the front of the MOCR and small ones at individual consoles as Astronaut Donald H. Peterson translates along the Challenger's port side longerons. Flight Directors Gary E. Coen (left) and Harold M. Draughon are in the foreground. Astronauts John A. McBride and Guy S. Gardner man the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) Console near center frame. Standing behind the CAPCOM Console is Astronaut William F. Fisher. Eugene F. Kranz, Director of Mission Operations, stands at right near the Flight Operations Directorate Console. JSC, Houston, TX

JSC2006-E-54436 (18 Dec. 2006) --- ISS lead flight director John Curry (right) and astronaut Stephen K. Robinson, at the CAPCOM console, represent part of the busy ground support effort for the add-on spacewalk by the STS-116 crew. Astronaut Joseph R. Tanner, who like Robinson is a veteran of multiple space walks, assisted with CAPCOM duties. While flight controllers in this space station flight control room were busy supporting the spacewalk, so were their counterparts in the space shuttle flight control room, not far away in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center.

JSC2001-E-12130 (19 April 2001) --- Astronauts Scott D. Altman (left) and Mark L. Polansky (right) discuss the approaching STS-100 launch while staffing the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC). Christopher J. (Gus) Loria (center) studies launch data at his console. Loria's CAPCOM position addresses weather issues, of which there were few on this particular launch. He will also be assigned to weather matters for the entry phase of the flight. The Space Shuttle Endeavour appears on the large screen in the front of the flight control room as liftoff countdown continues several hundred miles away at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida.

JSC2009-E-119633 (13 May 2009) --- Astronaut Dan Burbank, STS-125 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day three activities.

JSC2011-E-046901 (19 May 2011) --- Flight director Gary Horlacher and astronaut Megan McArthur, STS-134 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2010-E-084214 (17 May 2010) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (left) and Steve Swanson, spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) for the STS-132 mission, are pictured in the space station flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

STS-8 MCC Activities, Day 6 CapComs, Astronaut Bill Fisher and Flight Director Harold Draughon. 1. INFLIGHT - STS-8 (MCC) 2. FISHER, ANNA - STS-8 (MCC) 3. FISHER, BILL - STS-8 (MCC) JSC, HOUSTON, TX Also available in 35 CN

JSC2007-E-093444 (3 Nov. 2007) ---Astronauts Steve Swanson (foreground) and Kevin Ford, at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console in the space station control room of JSC's Mission Control Center, communicate with astronauts in space during the Nov. 3 spacewalk planned to repair a tear in a solar panel on the International Space Station.

JSC2011-E-046428 (19 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Shannon Lucid, STS-134 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), is pictured at her console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA?s Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2009-E-119632 (13 May 2009) --- Flight director Tony Ceccacci and astronaut Dan Burbank (background), STS-125 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitor data at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day three activities.

Fisheye view from the back of the Flight Control Room (FCR) of the Mission Control Center (MCC). Visible are the Flight Directors console (left front), the CAPCOM console (right front) and the Payloads console. Some of the STS 41-G crew can be seen on a large screen at the front of the MCC along with a map tracking the progress of the orbiter.

JSC2010-E-084271 (17 May 2010) --- Flight director Chris Edelen (right) and NASA astronaut Stanley Love, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-132 mission, are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

JSC2001-E-06204 (8 March 2001) --- At the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in Houston's Mission Control Center, astronauts Christopher J. (Gus) Loria (foreground) and Scott D. Altman monitor Discovery's pre-launch activity several hundred miles away in Florida.

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

JSC2006-E-39881 (10 Sept. 2006) --- In the Shuttle (White) Flight Control Room of Houston's Mission Control Center, flight director Paul Dye (right) and spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) Megan McArthur monitor data during the STS-115 inspection of the wings' leading edge and nose cap of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

JSC2001-E-06206 (8 March 2001) --- Pictured at the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in JSC's Mission Control Center are (from the left) astronauts Scott D. Altman, Christopher J. (Gus) Loria and Michael J. Bloomfield. Altman and Bloomfield were checking into possible weather effects for the scheduled launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery.

JSC2001-E-21559 (13 July 2001) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky (left) and Steven G. MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) look over information regarding the STS-104 mission at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC).

jsc2026e018923 (April 1, 2026) - Artemis II capcom Stan Love sits on console in Mission Control's White Flight Control Room in Houston, Texas during the Artemis II mission launch and ascent on April 1, 2026. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

JSC2010-E-084364 (17 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Stanley Love, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-132 mission, monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

JSC2009-E-120483 (14 May 2009) --- Flight director Tony Ceccacci (left) and astronaut Dan Burbank, STS-125 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

JSC2006-E-54743 (20 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut K. Megan McArthur, STS-116 Orbit 2 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), talks with the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery as they wind down toward the final 48 hours of an almost two-week mission in space.

JSC2001-E-04137 (7 February 2001) --- Astronaut Gerhard P.J. Thiele, representing the European Space Agency, monitors information from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on STS-98 launch day. Thiele serves as spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center (MCC).

2000-E-29788 (30 November 2000) --- Astronauts Scott J. Kelly, from the left, Dominic L. Gorie and Christopher J. Loria at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console during STS-97 pre-launch activity in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) of Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC).

JSC2001-E-25461 (16 August 2001) --- Astronaut Barbara R. Morgan, ISS spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), is photographed in the station flight control room (BFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC) during the STS-105 mission.

JSC2011-E-046980 (19 May 2011) --- Flight director Gary Horlacher and astronaut Megan McArthur, STS-134 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2009-E-120489 (14 May 2009) --- Astronaut Dan Burbank, STS-125 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

JSC2010-E-084362 (17 May 2010) --- NASA astronaut Stanley Love, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-132 mission, monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

JSC2001-E-06203 (8 March 2001) --- At his console in Houston's Mission Control Center, astronaut Scott D. Altman, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors weather data possibly affecting Discovery's pre-launch activities several hundred miles away in Florida on STS-102 launch day.

JSC2001-E-21573 (16 July 2001) --- Astronaut Robert B. Thirsk of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), STS-104 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), finds a moment of levity while working at his console in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC).

JSC2010-E-081909 (18 May 2010) --- Flight director Mike Sarafin (left) and NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-132 mission, are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day five activities.

JSC2000-06245 (September 2000) --- The ISS orbit 3 team of flight controllers are pictured with flight director Rick LaBrode in the ISS flight control room during STS-106. Astronaut Stephanie Wilson, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), is at front center.

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

JSC2011-E-046832 (19 May 2011) --- Flight director Gary Horlacher and astronaut Megan McArthur, STS-134 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities. Photo credit: NASA

S61-03829 (21 July 1961) --- View of the Mission Control Center at Cape Canaveral during the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) mission. Astronauts John Glenn (left) and L. Gordon Cooper (right) act as spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM). Photo credit: NASA

View from the back of the Mission Control Center (MCC). Visible are the Flight Directors console (left front), the CAPCOM console (right front) and the Payloads console. Some of the STS 41-G crew can be seen on a large screen at the front of the MCC along with a map tracking the progress of the orbiter.

S98-16081 (10-29-98) --- Profile view of rear of Mission Control Center (MCC) featuring Mission Operations Director (MOD) console (foreground) and Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) and Flight Director (FD) consoles (left background). Astronaut Linda M. Godwin is at lower right foreground.

JSC2001-E-25411 (17 August 2001) --- Astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham, ISS spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), inputs data into her computer at her console in the station flight control room (BFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC) during the STS-105 mission.

JSC2002-E-47668 (26 November 2002) --- Astronaut Michael J. Massimino, ISS spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the station flight control room (BFCR) in Houston’s Mission Control Center (MCC).

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

JSC2001-E-12474 (April 2001) --- Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, at the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in the flight control room of Houston's Mission Control Center, watches monitors and displays while communicating with the Space Shuttle Endeavour crew in space.

JSC2006-E-38929 (31 Aug. 2006) --- Astronaut Andrew J. Feustel (background), spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), and flight director Rick LaBrode monitor data at their consoles in the Station (Blue) Flight Control Room in Houston's Mission Control Center during Expedition 13 mission activities.

JSC2007-E-095996 (3 Nov. 2007) ---Astronaut Steve Swanson, standing near the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console in the space station control room of JSC's Mission Control Center, communicates with astronauts in space during the Nov. 3 spacewalk planned to repair a tear in a solar panel on the International Space Station.

JSC2009-E-119391 (12 May 2009) --- Astronaut Alan Poindexter, STS-125 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day two activities.

JSC2001-E-25401 (17 August 2001) --- Astronaut Mario Runco Jr., STS-105 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC).

JSC2011-E-046802 (19 May 2011) --- NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, STS-134 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at her console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2011-E-059389 (11 May 2011) --- Astronaut Steve Robinson, STS-135 CAPCOM, works in the Mission Control Center at NASA?s Johnson Space Center during a simulation exercise with the crew on May 11, 2011. Photo credit: NASA Photo/Houston Chronicle, Smiley N. Pool

JSC2008-E-046931 (14 June 2008) --- Astronaut Terry Virts, STS-124 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), watches the big screens in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Expedition 39 flight controllers on console during SpaceX cargo rendezvous and grappling. Flight Director: Matt Abbott. Capcoms: Jack Fischer and Randy Bresnik. Photo Date: April 20, 2014. Location: Building 30 - FCR-1. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

JSC2001-E-25473 (16 August 2001) --- Astronaut Robert L. Curbeam, Jr., spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC) during the STS-105 mission.

jsc2026e020046 (April 2, 2026) – CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut and backup Artemis II crew member Jenni Gibbons serves as capsule communicator (capcom) during the mission’s translunar injection burn, which sent the crew in Orion out of Earth orbit and on a trajectory toward the Moon.

jsc2026e019614 (April 2, 2026) – NASA astronaut Chris Birch serves as capsule communicator (capcom) in the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center during the mission’s translunar injection burn, which sent the crew in Orion out of Earth orbit and on a trajectory toward the Moon.

S81-33963 (July 1981) --- Mission specialist/astronaut Sally K. Ride and Dale E. Moore of the flight control division?s electrical, mechanical and environmental systems branch take a special interest in a simulations session during which the remote manipulator system (RMS, a mechanized arm) takes a momentary spotlight. They are seated at the CAPCOM or capsule communicator console in the mission operations control room of JSC?s mission control center. Dr. Ride will converse with astronauts Joe H. Engle and Richard H. Truly during their STS-2 mission in space when the RMS will have its debut in the Columbia?s cargo bay. Astronaut James F. Buchli, serving in a CAPCOM capacity, is partially obscured behind Dr. Ride. Photo credit: NASA

STS029-S-040 (13 Mar 1989) --- Astronauts Frank R. Culbertson, left, and John O. Creighton man their spacecraft communicator console positions for the launch phase of the STS-29 mission.

S93-43752 (1 Sept 1993) --- Astronauts Jerry L. Ross and Susan J. Helms are pictured at the Spacecraft Communicators Console during joint integrated simulations for the STS-61 mission. Astronauts assigned to extravehicular activity (EVA) tasks with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) were simultaneously rehearsing in a Neutral Buoyancy Simulator (NBS) tank at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Alabama.

DATE: 12-24-13 LOCATION: Bldg. 30 - FCR-1 (30M/231) SUBJECT: ISS Flight Controllers during Expedition 38's 2nd Spacewalk to repair a faulty ISS Coolant pump with Astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Mike Hopkins. Flight Director: Dina Contella, Capcom's Doug Wheelock, Aki Hoshide, and Lead U.S. Spacewalk Officer Allison Bolinger. PHOTOGRAPHER: Lauren Harnett

jsc2017e049162 (April 24, 2017) --- Flight Director Brian Smith, Capcom Astronaut Jessica Meir along with Astronaut Jeff Williams monitor activities in Mission Control as President Donald Trump, First Daughter Ivanka Trump and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins make a special Earth-to-space call from the Oval Office to personally congratulate NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson for her record-breaking stay aboard the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz)

JSC2007-E-053905 (23 Oct. 2007) --- Astronaut Lee J. Archambault, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room of Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center (MCC) during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of Space Shuttle Discovery's scheduled STS-120 launch. Liftoff occurred at 11:38 a.m. (EDT) on Oct. 23, 2007 from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

DATE: 12-24-13 LOCATION: Bldg. 30 - FCR-1 (30M/231) SUBJECT: ISS Flight Controllers during Expedition 38's 2nd Spacewalk to repair a faulty ISS Coolant pump with Astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Mike Hopkins. Flight Director: Dina Contella, Capcom's Doug Wheelock, Aki Hoshide, and Lead U.S. Spacewalk Officer Allison Bolinger. PHOTOGRAPHER: Lauren Harnett

JSC2007-E-053898 (23 Oct. 2007) --- Astronaut Terry W. Virts Jr., spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room of Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center (MCC) during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of Space Shuttle Discovery's scheduled STS-120 launch. Liftoff occurred at 11:38 a.m. (EDT) on Oct. 23, 2007 from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

JSC2010-E-019014 (8 Feb. 2010) --- An overall view of the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 launch. In the foreground are astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Steve Frick at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console.

JSC2005-E-31936 (3 August 2005) --- Astronauts Julie Payette (Canadian Space Agency) and Stephen N. Frick monitor communications at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console in the Shuttle (White) Flight Control Room in Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Mission Control Center during the third period of extravehicular activity (EVA) for STS-114.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Apollo 14 Capcom Bruce McCandless talks to attendees of the Apollo 14 Anniversary Soirée at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Saturn V Center. The celebration was hosted by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Apollo 14 landed on the lunar surface 40 years ago on Feb. 5, 1971. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JSC2001-E-25513 (22 August 2001) --- Astronauts James M. Kelly (left) and Kenneth D. Cockrell, both spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM), monitor data at their consoles in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston’s Mission Control Center (MCC). At the time this photo was taken the Space Shuttle Discovery was about to land at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to mark the end of a successful mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

JSC2001-E-21329 (12 July 2001) --- Astronaut Christopher J. (Gus) Loria, STS-104 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), intently studies pre-flight data at his console in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC) prior to the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Fellow astronaut Mark L. Polansky monitors weather issues in the background.

Photo Date: 12/21/2013 Location: Bldg. 30 - FCR-1 (30M/231 Subject: ISS Flight Controllers during Expedition 38's 1st Spacewalk to repair a faulty ISS Coolant pump with Astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Mike Hopkins. Flight Director: Dina Contella, Capcom's Doug Wheelock, Aki Hoshide, and Lead U.S. Spacewalk Officer Allison Bolinger. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Astronaut George D. Nelson (see monitor at front of room) is viewed by flight controllers in the Mission Operations Control Room (MOCR) of JSC's Mission Control Center during 41-C extravehicular activity (EVA). In the foreground are Flight Directors Jay H. Greene and John T. Cox. Astronauts Jerry L. Ross and Richard H. Richards are seated at the CAPCOM or spacecraft communicators console at right background. Astronaut Guy S. Gardner is perched just behind them.

JSC2001-E-12122 (19 April 2001) --- Astronaut Scott D. Altman (foreground), STS-100 ascent spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), stays on top of pre-launch activities at his console in the shuttle flight control room of Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC). Astronaut Mark L. Polansky stands beside Altman. Six astronauts and a cosmonaut, meanwhile, were strapped into their seats in the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Endeavour several hundred miles away in Florida.

JSC2011-E-050144 (1 June 2011) --- Astronauts Terry Virts (left) and Barry Wilmore, both STS-134 spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM), are pictured at their console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during landing activities several hundred miles away at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Photo credit: NASA

JSC2007-E-28297 (8 June 2007) --- Astronaut Dominic A. (Tony) Antonelli, STS-117 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), monitors data at his console in the space shuttle flight control room of Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center (MCC) following the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. Liftoff occurred at 7:38 p.m. (EDT) on June 8, 2007 from launch pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

jsc2017e049163 (April 24, 2017) --- Flight Director Brian Smith, Capcom Astronaut Jessica Meir along with Astronaut Jeff Williams monitor activities in Mission Control as President Donald Trump, First Daughter Ivanka Trump and NASA astronaut Kate Rubins make a special Earth-to-space call from the Oval Office to personally congratulate NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson for her record-breaking stay aboard the International Space Station. (Photo Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz)

DATE: 12-24-13 LOCATION: Bldg. 30 - FCR-1 (30M/231) SUBJECT: ISS Flight Controllers during Expedition 38's 2nd Spacewalk to repair a faulty ISS Coolant pump with Astronauts Rick Mastracchio and Mike Hopkins. Flight Director: Dina Contella, Capcom's Doug Wheelock, Aki Hoshide, and Lead U.S. Spacewalk Officer Allison Bolinger. PHOTOGRAPHER: Lauren Harnett

JSC2001-02225 (17 August 2001) --- The members of the STS-105/ISS 7A.1 Orbit 2 team pose for a group portrait in the International Space Station (ISS) flight control room (BFCR) in Houston’s Mission Control Center (MCC). Orbit 2 flight director Rick LaBrode (front right) holds the STS-105 mission logo, and Astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham, ISS spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), holds the ISS 7A.1 mission logo.

JSC2009-E-120491 (14 May 2009) --- Flight director Tony Ceccacci (right); along with astronauts Dan Burbank (center) and Alan Poindexter, STS-125 spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM), watch the big screens from their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center during flight day four activities.

jsc2026e018915 (April 1, 2026) - Artemis II lead capcom Stan Love (right) and Artemis II chief training officer Jacki Mahaffey (middle) have a conversation in Mission Control's White Flight Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center during launch and ascent on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

JSC2010-E-046802 (5 April 2010) --- An overall view of the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 launch. Visible in the foreground (from the left) are flight directors Tony Ceccacci and Bryan Lunney; along with astronauts Rick Sturckow and George Zamka, both spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM).

JSC2006-E-39854 (9 Sept. 2006) --- In the Shuttle (White) Flight Control Room of Houston's Mission Control Center, astronaut Dominic A. (Tony) Antonelli monitors launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of Space Shuttle Atlantis' scheduled STS-115 launch. Antonelli serves as the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the ascent and entry phases. Liftoff occurred at 11:15 a.m. (EDT) on Sept. 9, 2006 from launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center.

S71-36874 (10 June 1971) --- University of Texas geologist/professor William R. Muelhberger (left) talks with astronaut John W. Young, Apollo 16 commander, during an Apollo 16 geology field trip to Mono Crater, Calif. Astronaut Charles Duke, lunar module pilot, is seen at frame center, talking to geologist David Wones (second left). Astronaut Anthony England, Apollo 16 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), is at right. Photo credit: NASA