David Thompson, founder, presdient and CEO of Orbital Sciences Corp. (later known as Orbital ATK), makes remarks after receiving the Innovation Award at the Apollo 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

During the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, on July 16, 2019, last year's space-themed constume contest winner, left, helps the announcer preent this year's winners their awards. The gala was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

JoAnn Morgan, retired NASA engineer, makes remarks after receiving the Pioneer Award during the Apollo 11 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Morgan was the first woman engineer on console at Kennedy Space Center and the only woman in the firing room during the Apollo 11 launch countdown and launch.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

Gerry Griffin, Apollo flight director, left, presents the Pioneer Award to JoAnn Morgan, retired NASA engineer, during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Comples in Florida. Morgan was the first woman engineer on console at Kennedy Space Center and the only woman in the firing room during the Apollo 11 launch countdown and launch.

50th Anniversary Gala

Gerry Griffin, Apollo flight director, makes remarks during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, pressented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2019

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

NASA Kennedy Space Center Director and retired astronaut Bob Cabana delivers remarks during the Apollo 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

Retired NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt, vice president, propulsion systems, with Northrop Grumman, delivers remarks during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2019.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

Al Roker, NBC TODAY Show co-host and weatherman, serves as the emcee for the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2019.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

Physicist Brian Cox serves as the moderator for a panel discussion with Apollo astronauts during the Apollo 11 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. From left, are Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweichart, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and Apollo Flight Director Gerry Griffin.

Retired NASA astronauts participate in a panel discussion during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, on July 16, 2019. The gala was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. From left, are Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and Apollo Flight Director Gerry Griffin.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

Andy Aldrin, son of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, introduces Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, during the Apollo 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman. The event was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

June Scobee Rodgers receives the Education Award during the Apollo 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019. Scobbee Rodgers is the founding chairman of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, established in 1986 following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident to continue the legacy of the Challenger crew.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

Michael Collins; right; Apollo 11 astronaut; presents the Innovation Award to David Thompson; left; founder; president and CEO of Orbital Sciences Corp (later known as Orbital ATK); during the Apollo 50th Gala on July 16; 2019. The event; presented by Northrop Grumman; was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Comples in Florida. In the center at the podium is Andy Aldrin; son of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

Gene Goldman (left), deputy director of NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, accepts an Award of Excellence from Jack Zink, executive director of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission, during the 2008 Annual Hancock County Awards Gala. The Award of Excellence was presented to recognize Stennis Space Center's contribution to NASA's 50 years of excellence in space exploration.

Hancock County Awards Gala

A panel discussion with Apollo astronauts took place during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, present by Northop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019. From left, are Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and Apollo Flight Director Gerry Griffin.

Apollo 50th Anniversary Gala

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Hundreds of attendees listened to NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden during Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy Space Center and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Hundreds of attendees listened to NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden during Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy Space Center and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Hundreds of guests filled the Apollo/Saturn V Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, during the center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – PBS NewsHour Science Correspondent Miles O’Brien, speaks to attendees during Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Master of Ceremony Jim Banke, pauses during his opening remarks to attendees during NASA Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Steve Griffin, chairman of the National Space Club Florida Committee, speaks to attendees during NASA Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana speaks to attendees during Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy Space Center and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden speaks to attendees during Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. At left, on stage, is Master of Ceremony Jim Banke. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana speaks to attendees during Kennedy Space Center’s 50th Anniversary Gala event at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Apollo/Saturn V Center in Florida. The gala was coordinated by Kennedy Space Center and the National Space Club Florida Committee with the theme, “Celebrating the Past and Preparing for the Future.” The event was attended by about 650 current and retired NASA and contractor workers, dignitaries, and several former Kennedy Space Center directors. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett