DR. FRANK SIX OF MSFC'S ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OFFICE ADDRESSES THE SUMMER INTERNS DURING ORIENTATION EVENTS AT THE USSRC. JUNE 1, 2015.

iss068e017203 (Oct. 13, 2022) --- Six Expedition 68 crew members gather in the U.S. Destiny laboratory module and participate in an evening conference with International Space Station mission controllers on the ground. From front to back, are astronauts Josh Cassada, Koichi Wakata, Samantha Cristoforetti, Frank Rubio, Nicole Mann, and Bob Hines.

jsc2022e072269 (Sept. 7, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio undergoes preflight spacesuit fit checkouts. Rubio is scheduled to launch with crewmates Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2022e072271 (Sept. 7, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio performs preflight checkouts in the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. Rubio is scheduled to launch with crewmates Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2022e072272 (Sept. 7, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio performs preflight checkouts in the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. Rubio is scheduled to launch with crewmates Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2022e072276 (Sept. 15, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is seated in front of the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. Rubio is scheduled to launch with crewmates Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

ISS020-E-008898 (14 June 2009) --- The six-person Expedition 20 crew poses in "star-burst" formation for an in-flight portrait in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Pictured clockwise from right (center) are cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, commander; Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, all flight engineers.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2022e072274 (Sept. 13, 2022) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft is shown in preparation for its encapsulation into the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is scheduled to launch with crewmates Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2022e072270 (Sept. 7, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio (left), Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev (center) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Dmitri Petelin (right) complete training preparations in front of their Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft as they prepare for launch Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. The Soyuz spacecraft bears the name of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the “father” of cosmonautics. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2022e072268 (Sept. 7, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio (left), Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev (center) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Dmitri Petelin (right) complete training preparations in front of their Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft as they prepare for launch Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. The Soyuz spacecraft bears the name of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, the “father” of cosmonautics. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

iss068e026401 (Dec. 3, 2022) --- NASA astronauts (left to right) Josh Cassada and Frank Rubio pictured during a spacewalk installing a roll-out solar array, or iROSA, to the International Space Station's starboard truss structure. Once all six iROSAs are installed, the station’s power generation is expected to increase to a combined total of more than 250 kW, more than a 30% increase, benefiting space station research and operations.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

ISS021-E-005072 (11 Oct. 2009) --- Five of the six crew members on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Harmony node. Pictured on the front row are European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne (left), Expedition 21 commander; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, flight engineer. Pictured from the left (back row) are Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev, NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, all flight engineers.

ISS021-E-005073 (11 Oct. 2009) --- Five of the six crew members on the International Space Station pose for a photo in the Harmony node. Pictured on the front row are European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne (left), Expedition 21 commander; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, flight engineer. Pictured from the left (back row) are Russian cosmonaut Maxim Suraev, NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams and Russian cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, all flight engineers.

iss067e376730 (Sept. 21, 2022) --- NASA astronaut Frank Rubio (center) is greeted by fellow NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Bob Hines shortly after he arrived at the International Space Station. Rubio docked to the orbiting lab's Rassvet module earlier with Roscosmos cosmonauts (out of frame) Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin aboard the Soyuz MS-22 crew ship beginning a six-month space research mission.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2022e072275 (Sept. 15, 2022) --- At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio (left), Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev (center) and Roscosmos cosmonaut Dmitri Petelin (right) complete training preparations in front of their Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft as they prepare for launch Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The Soyuz MS-22 rocket is launched to the International Space Station with Expedition 68 astronaut Frank Rubio of NASA, and cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin of Roscosmos onboard, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Rubio, Prokopyev, and Petelin will spend approximately six months on the orbital complex, returning to Earth in March 2023. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2022e072273 (Sept. 13, 2022) --- In the Integration Facility at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft is shown in preparation for its encapsulation into the upper stage of its Soyuz booster rocket. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is scheduled to launch with crewmates Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin Sept. 21 for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

ISS019-E-022039 (29 May 2009) --- The Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station, carrying cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, all Expedition 20 flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29. Later that day, hatches opened between the two spacecraft, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS020-E-005049 (29 May 2009) --- Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Expedition 20 flight engineer, ingresses the International Space Station after arriving onboard a Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft with European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne (out of frame) and cosmonaut Roman Romanenko (out of frame), both flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS020-E-008891 (14 June 2009) --- The six-person Expedition 20 crew poses for an in-flight portrait in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Pictured from the left (front row) are Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, both flight engineers; and cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, commander. From the left (back row) are NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, all flight engineers.

ISS019-E-021400 (29 May 2009) --- The Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station, carrying cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, all Expedition 20 flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29. Later that day, hatches opened between the two spacecraft, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS019-E-022024 (29 May 2009) --- The Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station, carrying cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, all Expedition 20 flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29. Later that day, hatches opened between the two spacecraft, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS019-E-021374 (29 May 2009) --- The Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station, carrying cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, all Expedition 20 flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29. Later that day, hatches opened between the two spacecraft, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS019-E-021378 (29 May 2009) --- The Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station, carrying cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, all Expedition 20 flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29. Later that day, hatches opened between the two spacecraft, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS020-E-008893 (14 June 2009) --- The six-person Expedition 20 crew poses for an in-flight portrait in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. Pictured from the left (front row) are Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, both flight engineers; and cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, commander. From the left (back row) are NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, cosmonaut Roman Romanenko and European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, all flight engineers.

Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA, participates in a postlaunch news conference for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission on April 23, 2021, at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff time on a Falcon 9 rocket was at 5:49 p.m. EDT. Crew Dragon Endeavour is carrying NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough, spacecraft commander; NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, pilot; ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet, mission specialist; and JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, mission specialist, to the International Space Station. Crew-2 is the second regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the space station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Endeavour will dock with the station and the crew will remain on the orbiting laboratory for a six-month science mission.

Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, European Space Agency (ESA), participates in an interview on the Operations and Support Building II balcony during the launch broadcast for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 23, 2021. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off from Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39A at 5:49 a.m. EDT. Part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, Crew-2 delivered NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet to the International Space Station for a six-month science mission.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room-4 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch controllers took their posts at about 2:30 p.m. EST for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The countdown clock began ticking backward from the T-43 hour mark at 3 p.m. Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The massive crawler-transporter that hauled the shuttle, attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, to the pad March 10 remains on the crushed crawlerway rocks. The rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access to its components is open to allow crews to move the primary payload for Endeavour's STS-134 mission into the pad's structure before installing it into the spacecraft's cargo bay. Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

ISS003-E-6750 (October 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Expedition Three mission commander, and cosmonaut Vladimir N. Dezhurov (partially out of frame), flight engineer, wearing Russian Sokol suits, are seated in the Soyuz spacecraft that is docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This Soyuz return vehicle will be moved from the Earth-facing port of the Zarya module for the linkup to the new Pirs Docking Compartment. The move of the Soyuz will mark the first time the new Pirs, which arrived at the station September 17, 2001, will serve as a docking port. The Soyuz will be shifted to prepare for the arrival of a new Soyuz return craft, to be launched October 21, 2001 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz can serve as a crew return vehicle at the station for a maximum of about six months. Dezhurov represents Rosaviakosmos. This image was taken with a digital still camera.

ISS003-E-6747 (October 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Expedition Three mission commander, wearing a Russian Sokol suit, is seated in the Soyuz spacecraft that is docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This Soyuz return vehicle will be moved from the Earth-facing port of the Zarya module for the linkup to the new Pirs Docking Compartment. The move of the Soyuz will mark the first time the new Pirs, which arrived at the station September 17, 2001, will serve as a docking port. The Soyuz will be shifted to prepare for the arrival of a new Soyuz return craft, to be launched October 21, 2001 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz can serve as a crew return vehicle at the station for a maximum of about six months. This image was taken with a digital still camera.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room-4 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch controllers took their posts at about 2:30 p.m. EST for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The countdown clock began ticking backward from the T-43 hour mark at 3 p.m. Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room-4 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch controllers took their posts at about 2:30 p.m. EST for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The countdown clock began ticking backward from the T-43 hour mark at 3 p.m. Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access to its components is open to allow crews to move the primary payload for Endeavour's STS-134 mission into the pad's structure before installing it into the spacecraft's cargo bay. Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access to its components is open to allow crews to move the primary payload for Endeavour's STS-134 mission into the pad's structure before installing it into the spacecraft's cargo bay. Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Space shuttle Endeavour glistens in the sun on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rotating service structure (RSS) that protects the shuttle from the elements and provides access to its components is open to allow crews to move the primary payload for Endeavour's STS-134 mission into the pad's structure before installing it into the spacecraft's cargo bay. Endeavour and its six-member STS-134 crew are targeted to lift off April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) and Express Logistics Carrier-3 to the International Space Station. This is Endeavour's final scheduled mission. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room-4 in the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, launch controllers took their posts at about 2:30 p.m. EST for space shuttle Discovery's STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. The countdown clock began ticking backward from the T-43 hour mark at 3 p.m. Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

ISS003-E-6748 (October 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson (left), Expedition Three mission commander, and cosmonaut Vladimir N. Dezhurov, flight engineer, wearing Russian Sokol suits, are seated in the Soyuz spacecraft that is docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This Soyuz return vehicle will be moved from the Earth-facing port of the Zarya module for the linkup to the new Pirs Docking Compartment. The move of the Soyuz will mark the first time the new Pirs, which arrived at the station September 17, 2001, will serve as a docking port. The Soyuz will be shifted to prepare for the arrival of a new Soyuz return craft, to be launched October 21, 2001 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz can serve as a crew return vehicle at the station for a maximum of about six months. Dezhurov represents Rosaviakosmos. This image was taken with a digital still camera.

ISS003-E-6760 (October 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Expedition Three mission commander, wearing a Russian Sokol suit, is photographed in the Soyuz spacecraft that is docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This Soyuz return vehicle will be moved from the Earth-facing port of the Zarya module for the linkup to the new Pirs Docking Compartment. The move of the Soyuz will mark the first time the new Pirs, which arrived at the station September 17, 2001, will serve as a docking port. The Soyuz will be shifted to prepare for the arrival of a new Soyuz return craft, to be launched October 21, 2001 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz can serve as a crew return vehicle at the station for a maximum of about six months. This image was taken with a digital still camera.

ISS003-E-6743 (October 2001) --- Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson, Expedition Three mission commander, wearing a Russian Sokol suit, is seated in the Soyuz spacecraft that is docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This Soyuz return vehicle will be moved from the Earth-facing port of the Zarya module for the linkup to the new Pirs Docking Compartment. The move of the Soyuz will mark the first time the new Pirs, which arrived at the station September 17, 2001, will serve as a docking port. The Soyuz will be shifted to prepare for the arrival of a new Soyuz return craft, to be launched October 21, 2001 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Soyuz can serve as a crew return vehicle at the station for a maximum of about six months. This image was taken with a digital still camera.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, space shuttle Discovery waits patiently on Launch Pad 39A for its STS-133 launch to the International Space Station. A cold front that was predicted to produce rain, wind and a low-cloud ceiling as it moved through the sunshine state delayed launch by one day. Lift off now is set for 3:04 p.m. on Nov. 5. During the 11-day mission, Discovery and its six crew members will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, to the orbiting laboratory. Discovery, which will fly its 39th mission, is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This will be the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on STS-133, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Frank Michaux

At right, moderator Joshua Santora, NASA Communications, addresses the participants in a NASA Social Facebook Live event held April 21, 2021, near the Press Site countdown clock at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ahead of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-2 launch. Participants, from left to right, are: Steve Jurczyk, acting NASA administrator; Hiroshi Sasaki, vice president and director general, JAXA’s Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate; Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA; NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Jasmin Moghbeli; and Kennedy Director Bob Cabana. Crew-2 is the second regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule will launch atop the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to the space station for a six-month science mission. Liftoff is targeted for Friday, April 23, at 5:49 a.m. EDT.

At right, moderator Joshua Santora, NASA Communications, addresses the audience during a NASA Social Facebook Live event held April 21, 2021, near the Press Site countdown clock at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ahead of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-2 launch. Participants, from left to right, are: Steve Jurczyk, acting NASA administrator; Hiroshi Sasaki, vice president and director general, JAXA’s Human Spaceflight Technology Directorate; Frank de Winne, manager, International Space Station Program, ESA; NASA astronauts Tracy Caldwell Dyson and Jasmin Moghbeli; and Kennedy Director Bob Cabana. Crew-2 is the second regular crew mission of a U.S. commercial spacecraft with astronauts to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule will launch atop the company’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A to the space station for a six-month science mission. Liftoff is targeted for Friday, April 23, at 5:49 a.m. EDT.

The blueprint of life, DNA's double helix is found in the cells of everything from bacteria to astronauts. Exposure to radiation(depicted at right) such as X-rays (upper) or heavy ion particles (lower), can damage DNA and cause dire consequences both to the organism itself and to future generations. One of NASA's main goals is to develop better radiation shielding materials to protect astronauts from destructive radiation in space. This is particularly important for long space missions. NASA has selected researchers to study materials that provide better shielding. This research is managed by NASA's Office of Biological and Physical Research and is supported by the Microgravity Science and Applications Department at NASA's Marshall Center. During International Space Station Expedition Six, the Extravehicular Activity Radiation Monitoring (EVARM) will continue to measure radiation dosage encountered by the eyes, internal organs and skin during specific spacewalks, and relate it to the type of activity, location and other factors. An analysis of this information may be useful in mitigating potential exposure to space walkers in the future. (Illustration by Dr. Frank Cucinotta, NASA/Johnson Space Center, and Prem Saganti, Lockheed Martin)

S127-E-007464 (21 July 2009) --- Nine of a total aggregation of 13 astronauts and cosmonauts are pictured at meal time aboard the International Space Station. Seated at the table, clockwise from bottom left, are European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, astronaut Christopher Cassidy, along with astronauts Mike Barratt and Tim Kopra and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk and astronaut Mark Polansky. From left to right at top are Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata and Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonauts Roman Romanenko and Gennady Padalka. Not pictured are astronauts Tom Marshburn, Dave Wolf and Doug Hurley, plus Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette. Barratt is holding a display version of an Apollo 11 lunar sample that had earlier been taken up by a shuttle mission (STS-119) to be onboard the orbital outpost at the time of the current observance of the first moon landing's 40th anniversary. Seven astronauts left Kennedy Space Center one week ago aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour to join up with the six Expedition 20 crew members on the space station to continue work on it. The space fliers have completed two of five scheduled spacewalks up to this point.

S127-E-007461 (21 July 2009) --- Eight of a total aggregation of 13 astronauts and cosmonauts are pictured at meal time aboard the International Space Station. Pictured, clockwise from bottom right, are astronauts Christopher Cassidy and Mike Barratt, with Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, an unidentified crew member, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata (floating above), Canadian Space Agency astronauts Robert Thirsk and Julie Payette, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, and astronaut Christopher Cassidy. Either out of frame or not clearly seen are astronauts Mark Polansky, Doug Hurley, Dave Wolf, Tim Kopra and Tom Marshburn, plus Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Gennady Padalka. Seven astronauts left Kennedy Space Center one week ago aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour to join up with the six Expedition 20 crew members on the orbital outpost to continue work on it. The space fliers have completed two of five scheduled spacewalks up to this point.