JSC2009-E-246186 (2 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246184 (2 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut George Zamka, STS-130 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-061458 (29 April 2010) --- STS-132 mission specialists pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Piers Sellers, Mike Good, Steve Bowen and Garrett Reisman.

STS-132 cake cutting ceremony

PHOTO DATE: 19 July 2011 LOCATION: Bldg. 5south, High Bay SUBJECT: Cake Cutting Ceremony marking the end of Expedition 29/30 training. PHOTOGRAPHER: Mark Sowa

Expedition 29/30 Cake Cutting Ceremony

JSC2010-E-039285 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter, STS-131 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

Expedition 29/30 Cake Cutting Ceremony

JSC2010-E-039293 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter (right), STS-131 commander; and Clayton Anderson, mission specialist, are pictured during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039291 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, STS-131 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039288 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut James P. Dutton Jr., STS-131 pilot, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039289 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio, STS-131 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039290 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, STS-131 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-061462 (29 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Mike Good, STS-132 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured (from second left) are NASA astronauts Piers Sellers, Steve Bowen and Garrett Reisman, all mission specialists.

STS-132 cake cutting ceremony

STS-130 cake cutting ceremony

JSC2009-E-246180 (2 Dec. 2009) --- The STS-130 crew members celebrate the end of formal crew training with a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are astronauts Robert Behnken, Kathryn Hire, Nicholas Patrick, all mission specialists; George Zamka, commander; Terry Virts, pilot; and Stephen Robinson, mission specialist.

STS-109 Cake Cutting Ceremony

JSC2001-E-44844 (December 2001) --- The STS-109 crew members pause from their mission training for a cake cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Standing is astronaut Scott D. Altman, mission commander. Seated from left to right are astronauts John M. Grunsfeld, payload commander; Michael J. Massimino, mission specialist; Duane G. Carey, pilot; along with Nancy J. Currie, James H. Newman, and Richard M. Linnehan, mission specialists.

JSC2009-E-246198 (2 Dec. 2009) --- The STS-130 crew members are pictured at a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are astronauts Kathryn Hire, Nicholas Patrick, both mission specialists; George Zamka, commander; Terry Virts, pilot; Robert Behnken and Stephen Robinson, both mission specialists.

STS-130 cake cutting ceremony

JSC2009-E-246194 (2 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut George Zamka (left), STS-130 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured are astronauts Terry Virts, pilot; along with Nicholas Patrick, Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson and Robert Behnken, all mission specialists.oyos

STS-130 cake cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-061463 (29 April 2010) --- NASA astronaut Mike Good, STS-132 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured (in the foreground) are NASA astronauts Piers Sellers, Steve Bowen and Garrett Reisman, all mission specialists.

STS-132 cake cutting ceremony

Expedition 27/28 Cake Cutting Ceremony in building 5 high bay

Expedition 23/24 cake cutting ceremony celebrating the conclusion of their training.

Expedition 27/28 Cake Cutting Ceremony in building 5 high bay

STS-120 Cake Cutting Ceremony

JSC2007-E-44684 (29 Aug. 2007) --- The STS-120 crewmembers celebrate the end of formal crew training with a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are astronauts George D. Zamka, pilot; Daniel M. Tani, Expedition 16 flight engineer; Stephanie D. Wilson, mission specialist; Pamela A. Melroy, commander; Douglas H. Wheelock, Scott E. Parazynski, and European Space Agency's (ESA) Paolo Nespoli, all mission specialists. Tani is scheduled to join Expedition 16 after launching to the International Space Station on mission STS-120.

STS-109 Cake Cutting Ceremony

JSC2001-E-44846 (December 2001) --- The STS-109 crew members pause from their mission training for a cake cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). From left to right are astronauts John M. Grunsfeld, Michael J. Massimino, Scott D. Altman, and Duane G. Carey, James H. Newman; along with David Steward of the United Space Alliance (USA). Altman and Carey are mission commander and pilot, respectively. Grunsfeld is payload commander, with the others serving as mission specialists. Astronauts Nancy J. Currie and Richard M. Linnehan are out of frame.

STS-109 Cake Cutting Ceremony

JSC2001-E-44845 (December 2001) --- The STS-109 crew members, along with David Steward (center) of the United Space Alliance (USA), pause from their mission training for a cake cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). From left to right are astronauts Michael J. Massimino, John M. Grunsfeld, Scott D. Altman, James H. Newman, Richard M. Linnehan, Nancy J. Currie, and Duane G. Carey. Altman and Carey, are mission commander and pilot, respectively. Grunsfeld is payload commander, with the others serving as mission specialists.

JSC2011-E-024817 (8 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, STS-134 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured in the background is NASA astronaut Greg H. Johnson, pilot. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-134 prime crew cake cutting ceremony

JSC2011-E-024812 (8 March 2011) --- STS-134 crew members pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori, NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel, Michael Fincke, all mission specialists; Greg H. Johnson, pilot; Mark Kelly, commander; and Greg Chamitoff, mission specialist. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039298 (10 March 2010) --- The STS-131 crew members pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Alan Poindexter, commander; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency?s Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039299 (10 March 2010) --- The STS-131 crew members pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Rick Mastracchio, mission specialist; James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Alan Poindexter, commander; Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency?s Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.

STS-131 crew during Cake Cutting ceremony

JSC2010-E-039296 (10 March 2010) --- NASA astronaut Alan Poindexter (left), STS-131 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured from the second left are NASA astronauts James P. Dutton Jr., pilot; Rick Mastracchio, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Stephanie Wilson, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency?s Naoko Yamazaki and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, all mission specialists.

JSC2010-E-164856 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Eric Boe, STS-133 pilot, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164861 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Alvin Drew, STS-133 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164857 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, STS-133 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164854 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Steve Lindsey, STS-133 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164860 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Alvin Drew, STS-133 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164859 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, STS-133 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164858 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Tim Kopra, STS-133 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

STS-134 prime crew cake cutting ceremony

JSC2011-E-024816 (8 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Mark Kelly, STS-134 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured in the background (from the left) are NASA astronaut Greg H. Johnson, pilot; NASA astronaut Michael Fincke, European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori, NASA astronauts Andrew Feustel and Greg Chamitoff, all mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164862 (20 Sept. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Steve Lindsey (far left), STS-133 commander, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Also pictured (from second left) are NASA astronauts Alvin Drew, mission specialist; Eric Boe, pilot; Michael Barratt, Tim Kopra and Nicole Stott, all mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164865 (20 Sept. 2010) --- STS-133 crew members are pictured during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Eric Boe, pilot; Alvin Drew, mission specialist; Steve Lindsey, commander; Michael Barratt, Tim Kopra and Nicole Stott, all mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS-133 cake cutting ceremony marking the end of their training.

JSC2010-E-164863 (20 Sept. 2010) --- STS-133 crew members pose for a photo during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left are NASA astronauts Eric Boe, pilot; Alvin Drew, mission specialist; Steve Lindsey, commander; Michael Barratt, Tim Kopra and Nicole Stott, all mission specialists. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Saturn Apollo Program

The Apollo 11 mission, the first manned lunar mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida via the Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed Saturn V launch vehicle on July 16, 1969 and safely returned to Earth on July 24, 1969. Aboard the space craft were astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, commander; Michael Collins, Command Module (CM) pilot; and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., Lunar Module (LM) pilot. The CM, piloted by Michael Collins remained in a parking orbit around the Moon while the LM, named “Eagle’’, carrying astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, landed on the Moon. During 2½ hours of surface exploration, the crew collected 47 pounds of lunar surface material for analysis back on Earth. The recovery operation took place in the Pacific Ocean where Navy para-rescue men recovered the capsule housing the 3-man Apollo 11 crew. The crew was airlifted to safety aboard the U.S.S. Hornet recovery ship, where they were quartered in a Mobile Quarantine Facility (MQF) which served as their home for 21 days following the mission. In this photograph, the Hornet crew and honor guard snap to attention to begin the official cake cutting ceremony for the Apollo 11 astronauts. Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin are visible in the window of the MQF.

NASA 60th Anniversary Employee Culminatiing Event

MOD images delivered from USA Tom Murray

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the center's director, Bob Cabana, cuts a 15th anniversary cake during an employee celebration commemorating the start of assembly of the International Space Station. Cabana served as commander of STS-88, the space shuttle mission that launched the first American-built element of the space station, beginning the effort to construct the orbiting complex. Also participating in the ceremony were STS-88 mission specialists Nancy Currie and Jerry Ross. The Russian Space Agency's Functional Cargo Block, named "Zarya," was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Nov. 20, 1998. Two weeks later, on Dec. 4, 1998, the space shuttle Endeavour lifted off from Kennedy on STS-88 with node 1, called "Unity." In addition to Cabana, Curie and Ross, the crew also included pilot Rick Sturckow, along with mission specialists Jim Newman and Sergei Krikalev, a Russian cosmonaut. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossman