Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, shakes hands with Emil de Cou, conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra during a performance entitled "The Planets--An HD Odyessy", Friday evening, July 27, 2012, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou, Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, talks to the audience during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, presents a medal to Emil de Cou, conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra during a performance entitled "The Planets--An HD Odyessy", Friday evening, July 27, 2012, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, speaks as Emil de Cou, conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, right, looks on during a performance entitled "The Planets--An HD Odyessy", Friday evening, July 27, 2012, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

An image of the Mars rover Curiosity is seen on a giant screen as Emil de Cou, conducts the National Symphony Orchestra during a performance entitled "The Planets--An HD Odyessy", Friday evening, July 27, 2012, at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Va. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

The Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras performs "Clair du Lune" with Guest Conductor Emil de Cou during the National Tribute to Sally Ride at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Monday, May 20, 2013 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Emil de Cou conducts the Space Philharmonic during a program entitled Human Spaceflight: The Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role as communications officer Lieutenant Uhura in the series "Star Trek", bows as Emil de Cou, right, applauds, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou conducts the Space Philharmonic during a program entitled Human Spaceflight: The Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Video footage of an Apollo launch is projected on a screen above the National Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Emil de Cou, during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

National Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emil de Cou, left, presents a ceremonial baton to retired NASA Flight Director and manager Gene Kranz at the Apollo 40th anniversary celebration held at the National Air and Space Museum, Monday, July 20, 2009 in Washington. Kranz was a guest conductor the night before at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Deputy Administrator Lori Garver delivers remarks as Emil de Cou, right, looks on during a program commemorating Human Spaceflight and the Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Conductor Emil de Cou and The U.S. Army Chorus and Alumni sing while Gene Kranz, retired NASA Flight Director and manager, acts as guest conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role as communications officer Lieutenant Uhura in the series "Star Trek", speaks as Emil de Cou, right, looks on, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

National Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emil de Cou, right, listens to Actress June Lockhart introduce a set of space themed music during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astronauts Scott Altman, left, and Leland Melvin speak of their fallen comrades as Emil de Cou, right, looks on during a program commemorating Human Spaceflight and the Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou, Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra, applauds after Opera singer Denyce Graves' perfomance during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden delivers opening remarks at the beginning of a program entitled Human Spaceflight: The Kennedy Legacy as Emil de Cou, conductor of the Space Philharmonic, right, looks on, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Actress Nichelle Nichols, best known for her role as communications officer Lieutenant Uhura in the series "Star Trek", sings as Emil de Cou, right, conducts the Space Philharmonic, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Jean Kennedy Smith, sister of John F. Kennedy, delivers remarks during a program entitled Human Spaceflight: The Kennedy Legacy as Emil de Cou, conductor of the Space Philharmonic, right, looks on, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou conducts the Catholic University Orchestra, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, during the “Our Blue Planet” concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Jeannie Schulz, widow of Peanuts gang creator Charles M. Schulz, was awarded a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at the concert. Snoopy rode along as the zero gravity indicator on NASA’s Artemis I mission as part of a partnership with the agency and continues to help NASA inspire kids of all ages to follow along with Artemis missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Emil de Cou and the Catholic University Orchestra are seen Wednesday, April 5, 2023, during the “Our Blue Planet” concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Jeannie Schulz, widow of Peanuts gang creator Charles M. Schulz, was awarded a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson at the concert. Snoopy rode along as the zero gravity indicator on NASA’s Artemis I mission as part of a partnership with the agency and continues to help NASA inspire kids of all ages to follow along with Artemis missions. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

National Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the Labor Day Weekend concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden joined the Orchestra to introduce one the program's segments, music from the film "Apollo 13". Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Conductor Emil de Cou and the National Symphony Orchestra stands at the start of the second half of "Space, the Next Frontier" celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra, while singer Jamia Nash, actress June Lockhart, the U.S. Army Chorus and Alumni sing during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Conductor Emil de Cou speaks after leading the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Conductor Emil de Cou leads the final performance of the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Conductor Emil de Cou speaks after leading the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra, while singer Jamia Nash, actress June Lockhart, the U.S. Army Chorus and Alumni sing during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

National Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the Labor Day Weekend concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden joined the Orchestra to introduce one the program's segments, music from the film "Apollo 13". Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

National Symphony Orchestra Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the Labor Day Weekend concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden joined the Orchestra to introduce one the program's segments, music from the film "Apollo 13". Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra, while singer Jamia Nash, actress June Lockhart, the U.S. Army Chorus and Alumni sing during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra, while singer Jamia Nash, actress June Lockhart, the U.S. Army Chorus and Alumni sing during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Conductor Emil de Cou, the National Symphony Orchestra, singer Jamia Nash, actress June Lockhart, the U.S. Army Chorus and Alumni take a bow during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former Apolo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, left, Emil de Cou, and Ted Kennedy III, right, bow at the end of a program commemorating Human Spaceflight and the Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Former Apolo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, right, passes the baton to second guest conductor Ted Kennedy III as conductor Emil de Cou looks on while the Space Philharmonic plays on during a program commemorating Human Spaceflight and the Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra to a backdrop of Apollo 11 footage during the "NSO Pops, Apollo 11: A 50th Anniversary, One Small Step, One Giant Leap" a program including musical acts, speakers, and images and video related to space, on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. NASA and the country are recognizing the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, in which astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin crewed the first mission to land astronauts on the Moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Emil de Cou conducts the National Symphony Orchestra to a backdrop of Apollo 11 images during the "NSO Pops, Apollo 11: A 50th Anniversary, One Small Step, One Giant Leap" a program including musical acts, speakers, and images and video related to space, on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. NASA and the country are recognizing the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, in which astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin crewed the first mission to land astronauts on the Moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

American composer Michael Giacchino, left, and National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) conductor, Emil de Cou, wave to the audience during the "NSO Pops, Apollo 11: A 50th Anniversary, One Small Step, One Giant Leap" a program including musical acts, speakers, and images and video related to space, on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. NASA and the country are recognizing the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, in which astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin crewed the first mission to land astronauts on the Moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra, under Conductor Emil de Cou, perform during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra, under Conductor Emil de Cou, perform during the "Salute to Apollo" ceremony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Saturday, July 18, 2009 in Washington. The event was part of NASA's week long celebration of the Apollo 40th Anniversary. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Conductor Emil de Cou leads the National Symphony Orchestra during the "Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Carl Sagan's son, Nick Sagan, left, speaks at the "National Symphony Orchestra Pops: Space, the Next Frontier" event celebrating NASA's 60th Anniversary, Friday, June 1, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event featured music inspired by space including artists will.i.am, Grace Potter, Coheed & Cambria, John Cho, and guest Nick Sagan. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)