Dr. Michael Griffin, right, talks with his wife Rebecca Griffin prior to testifying at his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

John H. Marburger, Science Adviser to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), left, talks with NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, center, while his wife Rebecca and daughter Katie look on following his swearing-in, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Michael Griffin addresses the media during his first press conference as NASA Administrator, Monday, April 18, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Michael Griffin addresses the media during his first press conference as NASA Administrator, Monday, April 18, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Michael Griffin addresses the media during his first press conference as NASA Administrator, Monday, April 18, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Michael Griffin addresses the media during his first press conference as NASA Administrator, Monday, April 18, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Michael Griffin addresses the media during his first press conference as NASA Administrator, Monday, April 18, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Michael Griffin addresses the media during his first press conference as NASA Administrator, Monday, April 18, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prepares for a television interview. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left prepares for a television interview. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prepares for a television interview. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prepares for a television interview. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prepares for a television interview. Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008, NASA Headquarters, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

New NASA Administrator Michael Griffin (right) shares a moment with Director Kevin Petersen (left) and F-15B project manager Stephen Corda (center) during Griffin's visit to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center on Tuesday, May 24.

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., left, talks with Michael Griffin as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Tx., and Griffin's wife Rebecca look on prior to his testimony, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, is administered the oath of office by John H. Marburger, right, Science Adviser to the President and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, during a private ceremony at the Old Executive Office Building, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington, while his wife Rebecca and daughter Katie look on. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, is administered the oath of office by John H. Marburger, right, Science Adviser to the President and Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, during a private ceremony at the Old Executive Office Building, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington, while his wife Rebecca and daughter Katie look on. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Portrait, Michael Griffin, Administrator, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Washington, DC, April 25, 2005. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talks with employees during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, in Washington.  Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

Dr. Michael Griffin testifies, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

TRENT GRIFFIN, RIGHT, IS CONGRATULATED FOR HIS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND HIS OUTREACH EFFORTS TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO ENTER THE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH FIELDS BY MARSHALL CENTER DIRECTOR PATRICK SCHEUERMANN. GRIFFIN WAS FEATURED AS A HOMETOWN HERO ON ABC’S "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" AT THE U.S. SPACE & ROCKET CENTER.

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., testifies before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee during the confirmation hearing of Dr. Michael Griffin, rear center, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Griffin currently heads the space department at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory. If confirmed by the full U.S. Senate, Dr. Griffin would be NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., testifies before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee during the confirmation hearing of Dr. Michael Griffin, right background, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Griffin currently heads the space department at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory. If confirmed by the full U.S. Senate, Dr. Griffin would be NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin delivers remarks during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington after being sworn in earlier that morning as NASA's 11th Administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin delivers remarks during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington after being sworn in earlier that morning as NASA's 11th Administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin is seen prior to his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin delivers a statement during testimony in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin smiles during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin delivers remarks during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington after being sworn in earlier that morning as NASA's 11th Administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin smiles during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin is seen during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin delivers remarks during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington after being sworn in earlier that morning as NASA's 11th Administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin delivers remarks during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington after being sworn in earlier that morning as NASA's 11th Administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin smiles during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin delivers remarks during a NASA Update program at NASA Headquarters, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington after being sworn in earlier that morning as NASA's 11th Administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Heidi Fancher)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin speaks in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin is seen during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin smiles during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Yuriy Yekhanurov, Prime Minister of Ukraine, left, and NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, walk together prior to the start of a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, right, meets with aerospace engineer Burt Rutan Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Dryden research pilot Jim Smolka (left) details a recent flight experiment on a modified F-15B research aircraft to test range program manager Jerry McKee, center director Kevin Petersen and NASA Administrator Michael Griffin (right) during Griffin's initial visit to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center on Tuesday, May 24.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testifies at a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testifies at a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prepares to testify at a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prepares to testify at a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testifies at a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testifies at a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

John H. Marburger, Science Adviser to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), left, shakes hands with NASA Administrator Michael Griffin following his swearing-in, Thursday, April 14, 2005, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, shakes hands with Yuriy Yekhanurov, Prime Minister of Ukraine after a visit to NASA Headquarters on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, presents Yuriy Yekhanurov, Prime Minister of Ukraine, with a montage following a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Michael Griffin (left), administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and James Kennedy, director of the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), address KSC employees during a Town Hall meeting. The meeting was held in the Training Auditorium and broadcast around the Center to employees not in attendance. This is Griffin's first official visit to Kennedy Space Center. Griffin is the 11th administrator of NASA, a role he assumed on April 14, 2005. Griffin was nominated to the position in March while serving as the Space Department head at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore. A registered professional engineer in Maryland and California, Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA earlier in his career. He holds numerous scientific and technical degrees including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, left, meets with CEO of SpaceX Elon Musk, right, Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Looking on in the background are Larry Williams, NASA astronaut Marsha Ivins and NASA manager Christopher Shank. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, foreground left, sits across the table from Yuriy Yekhanurov, Prime Minister of Ukraine, during a courtesy visit Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Director General of the National Space Agency of Ukraine Yuriy Sergiyovych Alekseyev, left, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, center, and Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuriy Yekhanurov pose for a photograph prior to their meeting at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2005, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Michael Griffin (left) tours Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 where Space Shuttle Atlantis is currently being processed for the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121. He is accompanied by NASA ground systems engineer Doug Moore. This is Griffin's first official visit to Kennedy Space Center. Griffin is the 11th administrator of NASA, a role he assumed on April 14, 2005. Griffin was nominated to the position in March while serving as the Space Department head at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore. A registered professional engineer in Maryland and California, Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA earlier in his career. He holds numerous scientific and technical degrees including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1, NASA Administrator Michael Griffin observes as technicians prepare Space Shuttle Atlantis for the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121. This is Griffin's first official visit to Kennedy Space Center. Griffin is the 11th administrator of NASA, a role he assumed on April 14, 2005. Griffin was nominated to the position in March while serving as the Space Department head at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore. A registered professional engineer in Maryland and California, Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA earlier in his career. He holds numerous scientific and technical degrees including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Michael Griffin (right), administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), tours Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1 with Space Shuttle Atlantis vehicle manager Scott Thurston. Space Shuttle Atlantis is being processed for the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121, in the facility. This is Griffin's first official visit to Kennedy Space Center. Griffin is the 11th administrator of NASA, a role he assumed on April 14, 2005. Griffin was nominated to the position in March while serving as the Space Department head at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore. A registered professional engineer in Maryland and California, Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA earlier in his career. He holds numerous scientific and technical degrees including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

NASA Special Assistant Mr. Christopher Shank, left, and NASA Administrator Michael Griffin talk during a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

New NASA Administrator Michael Griffin makes a point during a town hall meeting with NASA Dryden employees on Tuesday, May 24, 2005.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Michael Griffin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), talks to United Space Alliance advanced systems technician Richard Van Wart during a tour of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1. From left are Van Wart, Space Shuttle Atlantis vehicle manager Scott Thurston, Center Director James Kennedy, and Griffin. Space Shuttle Atlantis is being processed for the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121, in the facility. This is Griffin's first official visit to Kennedy Space Center. Griffin is the 11th administrator of NASA, a role he assumed on April 14, 2005. Griffin was nominated to the position in March while serving as the Space Department head at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore. A registered professional engineer in Maryland and California, Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA earlier in his career. He holds numerous scientific and technical degrees including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Michael Griffin, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), shakes hands with United Space Alliance advanced systems technician Richard Van Wart during a tour of Orbiter Processing Facility bay 1. From left are Van Wart, Center Director James Kennedy, Griffin and Space Shuttle Atlantis vehicle manager Scott Thurston. Space Shuttle Atlantis is being processed for the second Return to Flight mission, STS-121, in the facility. This is Griffin's first official visit to Kennedy Space Center. Griffin is the 11th administrator of NASA, a role he assumed on April 14, 2005. Griffin was nominated to the position in March while serving as the Space Department head at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory in Baltimore. A registered professional engineer in Maryland and California, Griffin served as chief engineer at NASA earlier in his career. He holds numerous scientific and technical degrees including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland.

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Michael Griffin listens as Jim Kennedy, Kennedy Space Center Director, briefs him on activities during the Space Shuttle Program’s Design Certification Review meeting held today. Griffin was at KSC to attend the review in which Space Shuttle program managers reviewed changes and upgrades to the orbiter fleet in order to certify them for future Space Shuttle launches.

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., testifies before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee during the confirmation hearing of Dr. Michael Griffin, rear center, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington. Griffin currently heads the space department at Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory. If confirmed by the full U.S. Senate, Dr. Griffin would be NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit: (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawaii, left, speaks as U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, looks on during the confirmation hearing for Dr. Michael Griffin, in front of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, in Washington. If confirmed, Griffin, who currently heads the space department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory will become NASA's 11th administrator. Photo Credit (NASA/Renee Bouchard)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin discusses the results of the agency's exploration architecture study on Monday, Sept. 19, 2005, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The study made specific design recommendations for a vehicle to carry crews into space, a family of launch vehicles to take missions to the moon and beyond, and a "lunar mission architecture" for landing on the moon. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin outlines the President's budget for fiscal year 2007 during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Griffin was joined by the heads of NASA's four mission directorates to explain how the proposed $16.8 billion dollar budget supports the Vision for Space Exploration. The budget represents a 3.2% increase above the fiscal year 2006 appropriated budget. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin outlines the President's budget for fiscal year 2007 during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Griffin was joined by the heads of NASA's four mission directorates to explain how the proposed $16.8 billion dollar budget supports the Vision for Space Exploration. The budget represents a 3.2% increase above the fiscal year 2006 appropriated budget. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin outlines the President's budget for fiscal year 2007 during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 6, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Griffin was joined by the heads of NASA's four mission directorates to explain how the proposed $16.8 billion dollar budget supports the Vision for Space Exploration. The budget represents a 3.2% increase above the fiscal year 2006 appropriated budget. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. R-Fla., questions NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Senator Trent Lott, R-Miss., questions NASA Administrator Dr. Michael Griffin during his appearance in front of the Senate Commerce Committee Science and Space Subcommittee hearing on Human Space Flight: The Space Shuttle and Beyond, Wednesday, May 18, 2005, in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin watches the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-122) from the Launch Control Center Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The Shuttle lifted off from launch pad 39A at 2:45p.m. EST. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin testifies during a hearing before the House Science & Technology Committee regarding NASA's FY 2007 budget request, Thursday, Feb., 16, 2006, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin speaks during a media briefing about the space shuttle program and processing for the STS-121 mission, Friday, April 28, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin is seen through a television camera at a NASA Update announcing to NASA employees and members of the media the responsibilities of the NASA centers associated with the Constellation Program for robotic and human Moon and Mars exploration on Wednesday, June 5, 2006, at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Griffin was joined by Scott J. Horowitz, NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration Systems and Jeff Hanley, Constellation Program Manager, right. Dean Acosta, NASA Deputy Assistant Administrator and Press Secretary, far left, moderates the program. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-NY., questions NASA Administrator Michael Griffin during a House Science Committee hearing, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-NY., left, talks with NASA Administrator Michael Griffin prior to a hearing before the House Science Committee, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Rep. Bart Gordon, D-TN., questions NASA Administrator Michael Griffin during a House Science Committee hearing, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-CA., questions NASA Administrator Michael Griffin during a House Science Committee hearing, Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Rayburn House Office building, Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)