Bryan O'Connor, Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA, testifies before a hearing before the House Subcommitte on Space and Aeronautics regarding Safety of Human Spaceflight on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Bryan O'Connor, Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA, testifies during a hearing before the House Subcommitte on Space and Aeronautics regarding Safety of Human Spaceflight on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Terrence Wilcutt, NASA Chief Safety and Mission Assurance, addresses an audience of GRC managers during a Lessons In Leadership Series, Executive Leadership Workshop at Glenn Research Center. August 13, 2019.

In recognition of Black History Month, the Black Employee Strategy Team hosted a panel discussion featuring some of the future leaders of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 13, 2019. Participants from left, are Tamiko Fletcher, Kennedy’s chief security information officer in IT Security; Anthony Harris, chief, Facility Systems Branch in Safety and Mission Assurance; Charmel Anderson-Jones, senior cross program quality engineer in the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, Exploration Ground Systems Division; and Malcolm Boston, contracting officer representative in the Launch Services Program. They shared personal testimony about their journey toward NASA employment, leadership styles and keys to their success.

In recognition of Black History Month, the Black Employee Strategy Team hosted a panel discussion featuring some of the future leaders of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 13, 2019. Participants from left, are Tamiko Fletcher, Kennedy’s chief security information officer in IT Security; Anthony Harris, chief, Facility Systems Branch in Safety and Mission Assurance; Charmel Anderson-Jones, senior cross program quality engineer in the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, Exploration Ground Systems Division; and Malcolm Boston, contracting officer representative in the Launch Services Program. They shared personal testimony about their journey toward NASA employment, leadership styles and keys to their success.

Dr. Kamili Shaw, chief of the Operations Support Division in the Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate at NASA Stennis, shares how the agency is studying the total solar eclipse on April 8 during an interview with WAPT reporter Troy Johnson at INFINITY Science Center.

Director of Safety and Mission Assurance Ronnie Rodriguez participates in the Safety Starts With You Leadership Panel on Jan. 25, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The panel discussion featured senior leaders from the spaceport addressing ways employees can focus on safely completing mission objectives in the new year. Other panelists included Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro, Director of Spaceport Integration and Services Nancy Bray, and Exploration Ground Systems Chief of Staff Sasha Sims.

Leah Martin, NASA Communications, moderates the Safety Starts With You Leadership Panel on Jan. 25, 2022, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The panel discussion featured senior leaders from the spaceport addressing ways employees can focus on safely completing mission objectives in the new year. Panelists included Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro, Director of Safety and Mission Assurance Ronnie Rodriguez, Director of Spaceport Integration and Services Nancy Bray, and Exploration Ground Systems Chief of Staff Sasha Sims.

Director of Spaceport Integration and Services Nancy Bray participates in the Safety Starts With You Leadership Panel on Jan. 25, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The panel discussion featured senior leaders from the spaceport addressing ways employees can focus on safely completing mission objectives in the new year. Other panelists included Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro, Director of KSC Safety and Mission Assurance Ronnie Rodriguez, and Exploration Ground Systems Chief of Staff Sasha Sims.

Exploration Ground Systems Chief of Staff Sasha Sims participates in the Safety Starts With You Leadership Panel on Jan. 25, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The panel discussion featured senior leaders from the spaceport addressing ways employees can focus on safely completing mission objectives in the new year. Other panelists included Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro, Director of Safety and Mission Assurance Ronnie Rodriguez, and Director of Spaceport Integration and Services Nancy Bray.

Dr. Marla Perez-Davis, GRC Deputy Center Director, Ralph Roe, NASA Chief Engineer, Dr. Janet Kavandi, GRC Center Director, and Terrence Wilcutt, NASA Chief Safety and Mission Assurance, address an audience of GRC managers during a Lessons In Leadership Series, Executive Leadership Workshop at Glenn Research Center. August 13, 2019.

Dr. Marla Perez-Davis, GRC Deputy Center Director, Ralph Roe, NASA Chief Engineer, Dr. Janet Kavandi, GRC Center Director, and Terrence Wilcutt, NASA Chief Safety and Mission Assurance, address an audience of GRC managers during a Lessons In Leadership Series, Executive Leadership Workshop at Glenn Research Center. August 13, 2019.

Dr. Marla Perez-Davis, GRC Deputy Center Director, Ralph Roe, NASA Chief Engineer, Dr. Janet Kavandi, GRC Center Director, and Terrence Wilcutt, NASA Chief Safety and Mission Assurance, address an audience of GRC managers during a Lessons In Leadership Series, Executive Leadership Workshop at Glenn Research Center. August 13, 2019.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - William Higgins, chief of Shuttle Processing Safety and Mission Assurance Division at KSC, talks to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board during its third public hearing, held in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Over the course of two days, the Board's chairman, retired Navy Admiral Harold W. "Hal" Gehman Jr., and other board members would hear from experts discussing the role of the Kennedy Space Center in the Shuttle Program, Shuttle Safety and Debris Collection, Layout and Analysis and Forensic Metallurgy.

Jennifer Kunz, center, director of Safety and Mission Assurance, and Bob Mott, right, chief of the Commercial Systems Division in the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, serve food to Kennedy employees during a Safety and Health Days celebration on March 5, 2020. Taking place March 2 through March 6, Safety and Health Days provides Kennedy employees with a variety of presentations to attend – all of which focus on how to maintain a safe and healthy workforce. The celebration on March 5 took place at the Florida spaceport’s KARS Park II and was open for all employees to attend.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer, Bryan D. O'Connor (left), presents a Quality and Safety Achievement Recognition, or QASAR, award for 2008 to Steven M. Davis (center). Davis, an employee of the Defense Contract Management Agency at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, received the award for his attention to detail in an incident involving a space shuttle solid rocket booster. At right is Dr. Michael Ryschkewitsch, NASA's chief engineer. Davis received the award at NASA's sixth annual Project Management Challenge in Daytona Beach, Fla. The QASAR award recognizes individual government and contractor employees who have demonstrated exemplary performance in contributing to the quality and/or safety of products, services, processes or management programs and activities. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA's Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer, Bryan D. O'Connor (left), presents a Quality and Safety Achievement Recognition, or QASAR, award for 2008 to Robert D. Straney (center). Straney, an employee of United Space Alliance at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, received the award for his attention to detail in an inspection of the space shuttle Discovery. At right is Dr. Michael Ryschkewitsch, NASA's chief engineer. Straney received the award at NASA's sixth annual Project Management Challenge in Daytona Beach, Fla. The QASAR award recognizes individual government and contractor employees who have demonstrated exemplary performance in contributing to the quality and/or safety of products, services, processes or management programs and activities. Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky

MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE FROM ACROSS NASA'S MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER PARTICIPATED IN THE SPACE LAUNCH SYSTEM (SLS) POST-PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW REPORT, HELD AUG. 5 IN ACTIVITIES BUILDING 4316. DISCUSSING THE REVIEW AND THANKING THE MARSHALL TEAM FOR A JOB WELL DONE, ARE FROM LEFT, GARRY LYLES, SLS CHIEF ENGINEER; TODD MAY, MANAGER OF THE SLS PROGRAM; STEVE CASH, DIRECTOR OF MARSHALL’S SAFETY & MISSION ASSURANCE DIRECTORATE; AND CHRIS SINGER, MANAGER OF MARSHALL’S ENGINEERING DIRECTORATE

NASA Stennis Director John Bailey hosted the latest Java with John session on Nov. 19 with employees from the NASA Stennis Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate, Rocket Propulsion Test Program Office, and Office of the Chief Information Officer. Java with John is an employee-led discussion in a casual environment aimed at fostering a culture in which employees are welcome to share what matters most to them at work.

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included from left to right, NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, right, speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included from left to right, NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails, introduces the panel during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, second from left, speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included from left to right, NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks during the 2022 NASA Safety Stand-Down panel discussion, Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. The event followed the annual visit to Arlington National Cemetery where NASA leadership and family members and/or friends of the astronauts commemorate NASA’s Day of Remembrance and the sacrifices made to further exploration. Panelists included NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Russ DeLoach, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, and NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Coleen Taylor, deputy chief Safety and Mission Assurance officer for NASA’s Launch Services Program, participates in rehearsal launch operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite U) mission inside Hangar X at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, June 17, 2024. The GOES-U satellite, the final addition to GOES-R series, serves a critical role in providing continuous coverage of the Western Hemisphere, including monitoring tropical systems in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Coleen Taylor, deputy chief Safety and Mission Assurance officer for NASA’s Launch Services Program, participates in rehearsal launch operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) GOES-U (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite U) mission inside Hangar X at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Monday, June 17, 2024. The GOES-U satellite, the final addition to GOES-R series, serves a critical role in providing continuous coverage of the Western Hemisphere, including monitoring tropical systems in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Members of NASA’s Mission Support Directorate met with leaders from NASA’s Stennis Space Center and the NASA Shared Services Center during an onsite visit June 3. The group also participated in an in-depth tour of the NASA Stennis facilities. Pictured (left to right) are Ron Bald, chief counsel for the Office of the General Counsel at NASA Stennis and NASA Shared Services Center; Dinna Cottrell, chief information officer for the NASA Stennis and NASA Shared Services Center Office of the Chief Information Officer; Eli Ouder, procurement officer for NASA Stennis and NASA Shared Services Center; Stacy Houston, executive officer for NASA’s Mission Support Directorate; Michael Tubbs, acting director for the NASA Stennis Center Operations Directorate; Michael Hess, deputy associate administrator for NASA’s Mission Support Directorate; Rodney McKellip, associate director for NASA Stennis; Nichole Pinkney, program manager for NASA’s Mission Support Directorate; Duane Armstrong, manager for the NASA Stennis Strategic Development Office; Gary Benton, director for the NASA Stennis Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate; and Alison Butsch, associate chief financial officer for the External Business Operations Division within the NASA Stennis Office of the Chief Financial Officer.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut Robert Cabana (center) receives congratulations on his induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame from former inductees Al Worden (left) and Michael Coats (right). Other inductees were John Blaha, Loren Shriver; and Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The new inductees into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame stand for an ovation during the ceremony May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. From left are Loren Shriver; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; John Blaha; and Robert Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Participants in the all-hands meeting respond to questions from the audience. Topics discussed included the year ahead at KSC. Seated at the table (from left) are Steve Francois, manager of Launch Services Program; Pepper Phillips, deputy director of the Constellation Program office; Parsons; Russ Romanella, director of the ISS & Spacecraft Processing Directorate; Jeff Angermeier, chief of the Project Control office in the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate; and Shannon Bartell, director of NASA Safety and Mission Assurance. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

On May 22, 2020, inside the Operations Support Building II at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance Terrence Wilcutt signs the official document denoting the agency and SpaceX are a ‘Go’ for the upcoming Demo-2 launch, following the conclusion of the flight readiness review. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft will carry NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, returning human spaceflight capability to the U.S. after nearly a decade. Launch is slated for 4:33 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 27, from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- During an all-hands meeting led by Center Director Bill Parsons (center left at the table), an employee asks for more information. Topics discussed included the year ahead at KSC. At the table on stage (from left) are Steve Francois, manager of Launch Services Program; Pepper Phillips, deputy director of the Constellation Program office; Parsons; Russ Romanella, director of the ISS & Spacecraft Processing Directorate; Jeff Angermeier, chief of the Project Control office in the Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate; and Shannon Bartell, director of NASA Safety and Mission Assurance. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

The H-IIA No. 23 rocket that will carry the GPM Core Observatory into space arrived at Tanegashima Space Center on Jan. 20, 2014. The rocket has two stages, an lower first stage that, with the help of two solid rocket boosters gets them off the ground, and an upper second stage that lights up a few minutes after launch to boost the satellite the rest of the way to orbit. The launch services provider, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), immediately began assembling the rocket. On Jan. 22, the GPM team in Tanegashima was invited to participate in a blessing ceremony for the rocket. Lynette Marbley, the Instruments Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer for GPM, represented the NASA team.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The new inductees into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame step forward on stage for photographs following their induction. From left are Loren Shriver; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; John Blaha; and Robert Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The ceremony was held May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Members of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame stand for an ovation following the induction of the newest members (at center): Loren Shriver; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; John Blaha; and Robert Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The ceremony was held May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA officials including Bryan O'Connor, Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance (left), Richard Gilbrech, associate director of NASA’s Stennis Space Center, Robert Lightfoot director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana, and Michael Coats, Johnson Space Center director monitor for the launch countdown of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 mission. The seven-member STS-131 crew will deliver the multi-purpose logistics module Leonardo, filled with supplies, a new crew sleeping quarters and science racks that will be transferred to the International Space Station's laboratories. The crew also will switch out a gyroscope on the station’s truss, install a spare ammonia storage tank and retrieve a Japanese experiment from the station’s exterior. STS-131 is the 33rd shuttle mission to the station and the 131st shuttle mission overall. For information on the STS-131 mission and crew, visit http:__www.nasa.gov_mission_pages_shuttle_shuttlemissions_sts131_index.html. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett

W. Russ DeLoach, NASA’s chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, monitors the countdown of the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov onboard, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in SpaceX’s Launch and Landing Control Center in HangerX at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the first crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov launched at 3:27 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

W. Russ DeLoach, NASA’s chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, monitors the countdown of the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission with NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Andreas Mogensen, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Konstantin Borisov onboard, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in SpaceX’s Launch and Landing Control Center in HangerX at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-7 mission is the first crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Moghbeli, Mogensen, Furukawa, and Borisov launched at 3:27 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

W. Russ DeLoach, chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA, participates in a Flight Readiness Review for the agency’s Crew-5 mission at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 26, 2022, to confirm the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft are ready for launch. In the background and to the left is Kathryn Lueders, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, and to the right is NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. Crew-5 is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. This will be the fifth crew rotation mission of SpaceX’s human transportation system and its sixth flight with astronauts, including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station.

W. Russ DeLoach, NASA's Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, monitors the countdown of the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission with NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov onboard, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, in the control center of SpaceX’s HangarX at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission is the eleventh crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Cardman, Fincke, Yui, Platonov launched at 11:43 a.m. EDT, from Launch Complex 39A at the NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

W. Russ DeLoach, NASA's Chief of Safety and Mission Assurance, monitors the countdown of a launch attempt of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the company's Dragon spacecraft on NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission with NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov onboard, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the control center of SpaceX’s HangarX at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission is the eleventh crew rotation mission of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. Today’s launch of Cardman, Fincke, Yui, Platonov was scrubbed due to weather and is now scheduled for 11:43 a.m. EDT on Friday, August 1, from Launch Complex 39A at the NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut Loren Shriver (center) is inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Presenting the medal are former inductees Al Worden (left) and Charles Bolden (right). Other inductees were John Blaha; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; and Bob Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut and NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Bryan O'Connor (center) is inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Presenting the medal are former inductees Al Worden (left) and Brewster Shaw (right). Other inductees were John Blaha, Loren Shriver; and Bob Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut John Blaha (center) is inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Presenting the medal are former inductees Al Worden (left) and Fred Gregory (right). Other inductees were Loren Shriver; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; and Bob Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former astronaut John Blaha (center) receives congratulations on his induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame May 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center from former inductees Al Worden (left) and Fred Gregory (right). Other inductees were Loren Shriver; Bryan O'Connor, NASA's chief of Safety and Mission Assurance at NASA Headquarters in Washington; and Bob Cabana, center director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Other former astronauts attending included Scott Carpenter, John Young, Bob Crippen, and Walt Cunningham. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is operated by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on behalf of NASA. CNN correspondent John Zarrella hosted the event.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trey Carlson, the spaceport's master planner, describes how the Center Planning and Development Directorate CPD is working to help transform Kennedy into a multi-user spaceport through partnerships and resource planning. The event was first of what is planned to be quarterly meetings between NASA's industry partners and representatives of Kennedy's CPD, Safety and Mission Assurance, International Space Station Ground Processing, Chief Financial officer and Ground Processing and Ground Systems Development and Operations directorates. Center Planning and Development is the “front door” for partnerships with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy is now developing the world’s premier spaceport for government and commercial space industries using comprehensive resource planning and partnerships. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Trey Carlson, the spaceport's master planner, describes how the Center Planning and Development Directorate CPD is working to help transform Kennedy into a multi-user spaceport through partnerships and resource planning. The event was first of what is planned to be quarterly meetings between NASA's industry partners and representatives of Kennedy's CPD, Safety and Mission Assurance, International Space Station Ground Processing, Chief Financial officer and Ground Processing and Ground Systems Development and Operations directorates. Center Planning and Development is the “front door” for partnerships with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy is now developing the world’s premier spaceport for government and commercial space industries using comprehensive resource planning and partnerships. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Two members of the Recovery Management Team at KSC are at work in the Operations Support Building. At left is Don Maxwell, Safety, United Space Alliance, and at right is Larry Ulmer, Safety, NASA. They are part of the investigation into the accident that claimed orbiter Columbia and her crew of seven on Feb. 1, 2003, over East Texas as they returned to Earth after a 16-day research mission. Other team members are Russ DeLoach, chief, Shuttle Mission Assurance Branch, NASA; George Jacobs, Shuttle Engineering; Jeff Campbell, Shuttle Engineering; Dave Rainer, Launch and Landing Operations; and the two co-chairs of the Response Management Team, Denny Gagen, Landing Recovery Manager, and Chris Hasselbring, Landing Operations, USA. The team is coordinating KSC technical support and assets to the Mishap Investigation Team in Barksdale, La., and providing support for the Recovery teams in Los Angeles, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. In addition, the team is following up on local leads pertaining to potential debris in the KSC area. .

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Don Maxwell, Safety, United Space Alliance, checks a map of Texas during a meeting of the Recovery Management Team at KSC. The team is part of the investigation into the accident that claimed orbiter Columbia and her crew of seven on Feb. 1, 2003, over East Texas as they returned to Earth after a 16-day research mission. Other team members are Russ DeLoach, chief, Shuttle Mission Assurance Branch, NASA; George Jacobs, Shuttle Engineering; Jeff Campbell, Shuttle Engineering; Dave Rainer, Launch and Landing Operations; the two co-chairs of the Response Management Team, Denny Gagen, Landing Recovery Manager, Chris Hasselbring, Landing Operations, USA; and Larry Ulmer, Safety, NASA. The team is coordinating KSC technical support and assets to the Mishap Investigation Team in Barksdale, La., and providing support for the Recovery teams in Los Angeles, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. In addition, the team is following up on local leads pertaining to potential debris in the KSC area. .

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Operations Support Building II at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Space Shuttle Program and mission managers meet for the traditional Flight Readiness Review, a thorough assessment of preparations for the mission. Seen here are NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (left), Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana and NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Chief Bryan D. O 'Connor. The June 28 meeting is designed to produce a number of key decisions about Atlantis' STS-135 mission, including the announcement of an official launch date. Atlantis and its crew are targeted to lift off July 8, taking with them the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station. The STS-135 mission also will fly a system to investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites and return a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: Jim Grossmann

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Members of the Recovery Management Team at KSC are at work in the Operations Support Building. They are part of the investigation into the accident that claimed orbiter Columbia and her crew of seven on Feb. 1, 2003, over East Texas as they returned to Earth after a 16-day research mission. Seated around the table (clockwise from far left) are Chris Hasselbring, Landing Operations, USA (co-chair of the Response Management Team); Don Maxwell, Safety, United Space Alliance (USA); Russ DeLoach, chief, Shuttle Mission Assurance Branch, NASA; George Jacobs, Shuttle Engineering; Jeff Campbell, Shuttle Engineering; Denny Gagen, Landing Recovery Manager (second co-chair of the team); and Dave Rainer, Launch and Landing Operations. The team is coordinating KSC technical support and assets to the Mishap Investigation Team in Barksdale, La., and providing support for the Recovery teams in Los Angeles, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. In addition, the team is following up on local leads pertaining to potential debris in the KSC area. .

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Members of the Recovery Management Team at KSC are at work in the Operations Support Building. They are part of the investigation into the accident that claimed orbiter Columbia and her crew of seven on Feb. 1, 2003, over East Texas as they returned to Earth after a 16-day research mission. From left around the table are Don Maxwell, Safety, United Space Alliance (USA); Russ DeLoach, chief, Shuttle Mission Assurance Branch, NASA; George Jacobs, Shuttle Engineering; Jeff Campbell, Shuttle Engineering; Dave Rainer, Launch and Landing Operations; and the two co-chairs of the Response Management Team, Denny Gagen, Landing Recovery Manager, and Chris Hasselbring, Landing Operations, USA. The team is coordinating KSC technical support and assets to the Mishap Investigation Team in Barksdale, La., and providing support for the Recovery teams in Los Angeles, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. In addition, the team is following up on local leads pertaining to potential debris in the KSC area. .

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – An eight-member Kick-Start selection panel listens during a presentation by a Kennedy Space Center employee. Seated in the front row, left to right, are Bob Cabana, center director, Joyce Riquelme, director of Center Planning and Development, Susan Kroskey, center chief financial officer, and Josephine Burnett, director of International Space Station Ground Processing and Research. Back row, left to right are Tracy Anania Wetrich, director of Human Resources, Russell Romanella, director of Safety and Mission Assurance, Nancy Bray, deputy director of Center Operations, and Kelvin Manning, center associate director. As Kennedy continues developing programs and infrastructure to become a 21st century spaceport, many employees are devising ways to do their jobs better and more efficiently. On Sept. 6, 2012, 16 Kennedy employees pitched their innovative ideas for improving the center at the Kennedy Kick-Start event. The competition was part of a center-wide effort designed to increase exposure for innovative ideas and encourage their implementation. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/kick-start_competition.html Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods