LOUCIOUS HIRES WELCOMES STUDENTS FROM THE TENNESSEE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND TO MSFC FOR ANNUAL TOUR

Swearing In Ceremony, Oath of Office Ceremony for Newly Hired Employees

Swearing In Ceremony, Oath of Office Ceremony for Newly Hired Employees

Swearing In Ceremony, Oath of Office Ceremony for Newly Hired Employees

Swearing In Ceremony, Oath of Office Ceremony for Newly Hired Employees

S95-10063 (1995) --- Astronaut Kathryn P. (Kay) Hire, mission specialist

S130-E-006294 (9 Feb. 2010) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, floats on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Endeavour during the early hours of flight day two.

S130-E-007251 (11 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, is pictured on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station.

S130-E-006534 (9 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities.

S130-E-010480 (19 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, poses for a photo near the windows in the Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-006870 (10 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, are pictured on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station.

S130-E-006863 (10 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire and Nicholas Patrick, both STS-130 mission specialists, are pictured on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station.

S130-E-007420 (11 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works in the Unity node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-005187 (8 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire and Robert Behnken (mostly obscured), both STS-130 mission specialists, work on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour during postlaunch activities.

S130-E-005188 (8 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire and Robert Behnken, both STS-130 mission specialists, work on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour during postlaunch activities.

S130-E-007421 (11 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works in the Unity node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-005232 (8 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire and Nicholas Patrick, both STS-130 mission specialists, work on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day one activities.

S130-E-007659 (13 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works with stowage containers in the Unity node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-005308 (8 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts George Zamka, STS-130 commander; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, work on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day one activities.

S130-E-005233 (8 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire and Nicholas Patrick, both STS-130 mission specialists, work on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day one activities.

S130-E-007743 (14 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works in the newly-installed Tranquility node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-006357 (9 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, is pictured on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities. Astronaut George Zamka (partially out of frame), commander, is at right.

STS090-350-001 (17 April - 3 May 1998) --- Astronaut Kathryn P. Hire, mission specialist, checks out part of the Neurolab's Vestibular Function Experiment Unit (VFEU). She joined four other astronauts and two payload specialists for 16-days of research in support of the Neurolab mission.

S130-E-007657 (13 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works with stowage containers in the Unity node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-008080 (15 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, is pictured floating freely in the newly-installed Tranquility node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-007175 (11 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist; and T.J. Creamer, Expedition 22 flight engineer, are pictured near the robotic workstation in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S130-E-006533 (9 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Nicholas Patrick and Kathryn Hire (partially obscured), both STS-130 mission specialists, are pictured on the middeck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities.

S130-E-006610 (9 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Stephen Robinson and Kathryn Hire, both STS-130 mission specialists, work on the aft flight deck of space shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities.

S130-E-008730 (15 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works in the newly-installed Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

NASA’S MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER KICKS OFF ITS ANNUAL "TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO WORK DAY" EVENTS JUNE 23 WITH OPENING REMARKS FROM LOUCIOUS HIRES, DIRECTOR OF MARSHALL’S OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY. AN ESTIMATED 500 POTENTIAL FUTURE SPACEFARERS, SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS IN GRADES 3-12 TOOK PART IN THE DAY’S ACTIVITIES, TOURS AND PRESENTATIONS.

ISS022-E-067704 (17 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist; and Terry Virts, pilot, work in the Tranquility node and its Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

ISS022-E-067703 (17 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronauts Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist; and Terry Virts, pilot, work in the Tranquility node and its Cupola of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

"Just Culture" session panelists Roy Malone, Randy Lycans, Marcus Lea, Loucious Hires, and Pete Allen.

ISS022-E-068559 (18 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

ISS022-E-068561 (18 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

JSC2010-E-012251 (26 Oct. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn P. (Kay) Hire, mission specialist [alternate portrait]

JSC2010-E-012250 (26 Oct. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn P. (Kay) Hire, mission specialist

S130-E-007820 (13 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, works with hardware in the newly-installed Tranquility node of the International Space Station while space shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Soichi Noguchi, Expedition 22 flight engineer, is at left.

Former NASA astronaut Kay Hire, left, speaks with film producer, co-writer, and director James Gray at a screening of "Ad Astra" at National Geographic Society, Monday, September 16, 2019 in Washington. It stars Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Pitt, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. Pitt stars as astronaut Roy McBride who travels deep into the solar system in hopes of solving a mystery that threatens life on Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former NASA astronaut Kay Hire poses for a photo with actor Brad Pitt, at a screening of the film "Ad Astra" at National Geographic Society, Monday, September 16, 2019 in Washington. The film stars Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. Pitt stars as astronaut Roy McBride who travels deep into the solar system in hopes of solving a mystery that threatens life on Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former NASA astronaut Kay Hire is interviewed on the red carpet during a screening of the film "Ad Astra" at National Geographic Society, Monday, September 16, 2019 in Washington. The film was produced, co-written, and directed by James Gray and stars Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. Pitt stars as astronaut Roy McBride who travels deep into the solar system in hopes of solving a mystery that threatens life on Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former NASA astronaut Kay Hire and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine pose for a photo on the red carpet during a screening of the film "Ad Astra" at National Geographic Society, Monday, September 16, 2019 in Washington. The film was produced, co-written, and directed by James Gray and stars Jones, Brad Pitt, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. Pitt stars as astronaut Roy McBride who travels deep into the solar system in hopes of solving a mystery that threatens life on Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

From left to right, former NASA astronaut Kay Hire, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and actor Tommy Lee Jones arrive on the red carpet for a screening of the film "Ad Astra" at National Geographic Society, Monday, September 16, 2019 in Washington. The film was produced, co-written, and directed by James Gray and stars Jones, Brad Pitt, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. Pitt stars as astronaut Roy McBride who travels deep into the solar system in hopes of solving a mystery that threatens life on Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

JSC2009-E-246721 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a robotics training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246736 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a robotics training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246720 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, participates in a robotics training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246739 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a robotics training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246718 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, participates in a robotics training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246713 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a robotics training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246724 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, participates in a robotics training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246716 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a robotics training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-246727 (4 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a robotics training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

NASA STS-130 crew Commander George Zamka, far left, Pilot Terry Virts, Mission Specialists Kathryn Hire, Stephen Robinson, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken, far right, pose for pictures on the field at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Five astronauts and two payload specialists take a break in training for the Neurolab mission to pause for a crew portrait. The Spacelab mission was conducted aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-90 which launched on April 17, 1998. Astronauts Richard A. Searfoss, commander (right front); and Scott D. Altman, pilot (left front). Other crew members (back row, left to right) are James A. (Jim) Pawelczyk, Ph.D., payload specialist; and astronauts Richard M. Linnehan, Kathryn P. Hire, and Dafydd R. (Dave) Williams, all mission specialists; along with payload specialist Jay C. Buckey, Jr., MD. Linnehan and Williams, alumnus of the 1995 class of astronaut candidates (ASCAN), represents the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

NASA STS-130 crew pose with Winter Olympics medalist Apolo Ohno, center, at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 20, 2010, in Washington. Pictured from left are STS-130 Mission Specialist Robert Benhken, Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick, Commander George Zamka, Apolo Ohno, Mission Specialist Stephen Robinson, Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire and Pilot Terry Virts. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

From left to right are seen Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham (second from right), NASA astronaut Kay Hire, Hildreth Walker, Founder of A-MAN Inc. STEM International Science Center; NASA astronauts Michael Fincke and Gregory Johnson at the Endeavour Kick-Off Ceremony, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 in Inglewood. Endeavour, built as a replacement for space shuttle Challenger, completed 25 missions, spent 299 days in orbit, and orbited Earth 4,671 times while traveling 122,883,151 miles. Beginning Oct. 30, the shuttle will be on display in the CSC’s Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, embarking on its new mission to commemorate past achievements in space and educate and inspire future generations of explorers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

From left to right, NASA staff, Cindy Steele, Bert Ulrich, and Cheryl Warner, "Ad Astra" producer, co-writer, and director James Gray, former NASA astronaut Kay Hire, and NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications, Bettina Inclán, pose for a photo on the red carpet during a screening of the film "Ad Astra" at National Geographic Society, Monday, September 16, 2019 in Washington. The film was produced, co-written, and directed by James Gray and stars Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland. Pitt stars as astronaut Roy McBride who travels deep into the solar system in hopes of solving a mystery that threatens life on Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Kay Hire poses with 8th grader Kristy Wiggins at Garland V. Stewart Magnet Middle School, a NASA Explorer School (NES) in Tampa, Fla. Hire joined Center Director Jim Kennedy at the school in sharing the agency’s new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Kennedy is talking with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA’s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

The crew of STS-130 present the principal owner of the Washington Nationals, Debra Lerner Cohen (holding montage) with a montage of their mission, Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at Nationals Park in Washington. From left are seen Commander George Zamka, Mission Specialist Nicholas Patrick, Pilot Terry Virts, Debra Lerner Cohen, Edward Cohen, Mission Specialist Kathryn Hire, Mission Specialist Robert Behnken, Lauren Lerner, Jacob Lerner and Alan Gottlieb. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

From left, astronauts Pam Melroy; Kay Hire; Cady Coleman; Kathy Sullivan; Tam O'Shaughnessy, Sally Ride's life partner and chair, board of directors of Sally Ride Science; astronauts Bonnie Dunbar; Sandy Magnus; Julie Payette; and Ellen Ochoa, pose for a photograph before a 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)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire prepares for launch during suitup activities in the Operations and Checkout Building as Astronaut Support Personnel team member Heide Piper braids Hire's hair. Hire and the rest of the STS-90 crew will shortly depart for Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia awaits a second liftoff attempt at 2:19 p.m. EDT. Her first trip into space, Hire is participating in this life sciences research flight that will focus on the most complex and least understood part of the human body the nervous system. Neurolab will examine the effects of spaceflight on the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and sensory organs in the human body.

NACA women computers had degrees in mathematics or taught math before they were hired. They reduced film data and plotted it for the engineers.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston - S95-10063 - Astronaut Kathryn P. (Kay) Hire, mission specialist

STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire is assisted by NASA and USA closeout crew members immediately preceding launch for the nearly 17-day Neurolab mission. Investigations during the Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Hire and six fellow crew members will shortly enter the orbiter at KSC's Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia will lift off during a launch window that opens at 2:19 p.m. EDT, April 17

JSC2009-E-155129 (24 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, dons a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technicians Daniel Palmer (right) and Mike Thompson assisted Hire.

JSC2009-E-246186 (2 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, speaks to a crowd during a cake-cutting ceremony in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Jerry Elliott, a former NASA physicist and one of the first native americans hired at NASA's Johnson Space Center, speaks during Native American Heritage Month event at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Swedish Delegation was greeted by Center Director Chris Scolese and staff at Building 28. Kay Hire astronaut, greets member of delegation as George Morrow and Christyl Johnson look on.

NASA Astronaut Candidates Group 22 visited Goddard on September 26, 2018 and toured facilities. Nicknamed “Turtles” group will gain intricate understanding of core functions within the agency. Kay Hire with candidate

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA astronaut Kay Hire is interviewed by members of the news media at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Hire was on hand to discuss the space shuttle Endeavour's trip to California mounted atop NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, or SCA. The SCA, a modified 747 jetliner, will fly Endeavour to Los Angeles where it will be placed on public display at the California Science Center. This is the final ferry flight scheduled in the Space Shuttle Program era. For more information on the shuttles' transition and retirement, visit http://www.nasa.gov/transition. Photo credit: NASA/ Tim Jacobs

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Kay Hire talks to students in Garland V. Stewart Magnet Middle School, a NASA Explorer School (NES) in Tampa, Fla. She joined Center Director Jim Kennedy in sharing the agency’s new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Kennedy is talking with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA’s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Astronaut Kay Hire talks to students in Garland V. Stewart Magnet Middle School, a NASA Explorer School (NES) in Tampa, Fla. She joined Center Director Jim Kennedy in sharing the agency’s new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Kennedy is talking with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA’s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Garland V. Stewart Magnet Middle School, a NASA Explorer School (NES) in Tampa, Fla., is the site where Center Director Jim Kennedy and astronaut Kay Hire shared the agency’s new vision for space exploration with the next generation of explorers. Kennedy talked with students about our destiny as explorers, NASA’s stepping stone approach to exploring Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond, how space impacts our lives, and how people and machines rely on each other in space.

JSC2009-E-258403 (8 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Terry Virts (second right), STS-130 pilot; along with astronauts Stephen Robinson (left), Kathryn Hire, Nicholas Patrick and Robert Behnken, all mission specialists, participate in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-224177 (7 Oct. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-286950 (22 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in an ingress/egress timeline training session in a shuttle mock-up in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-224180 (7 Oct. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-025793 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-258395 (8 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Terry Virts (foreground), STS-130 pilot; along with astronauts Kathryn Hire and Nicholas Patrick, both mission specialists, participate in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2010-E-025789 (22 Feb. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, is pictured at the STS-130 crew return ceremony on Feb. 22, 2010 at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

Members of the Langley Federal Women's Program surround Mary Jackson in the brown suit, of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs. Mary Jackson NASA's first African-American female engineer, and subsequent career supporting the hiring and promotion of other deserving female and minority employees.

JSC2009-E-240768 (12 Nov. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a training session in the fixed-base shuttle mission simulator (SMS) in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-258402 (8 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Terry Virts (second right), STS-130 pilot; along with astronauts Kathryn Hire, Nicholas Patrick (left) and Robert Behnken, all mission specialists, participate in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-224181 (7 Oct. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-242840 (19 Nov. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured during a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-242841 (19 Nov. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, participates in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-125130 (1 June 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, dons a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA?s Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-155131 (24 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, dons a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-155194 (24 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, attired in a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured during a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-286666 (21 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Kathryn Hire, STS-130 mission specialist, dons a training version of her shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Mission Simulation Development Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Langley Center Director Donald P. Hearth (right) presenting Mary Jackson with Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. Mary Jackson was NASA's first African-American female engineer,and subsequent career supporting the hiring and promotion of other deserving female and minority employees.

Barbara Marino (left), Stennis Space Center education technology specialist, shows Astro Camp Counselor Beverly Fitzsimmons a LEGO model during a teambuilding exercise May 29 at SSC's North Gate computer lab as a part of the counselors' `new hire' orientation.

JSC2009-E-240767 (12 Nov. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a training session in the fixed-base shuttle mission simulator (SMS) in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-240771 (12 Nov. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts (right), STS-130 pilot; Kathryn Hire and Stephen Robinson, both mission specialists, participate in a training session in the fixed-base shuttle mission simulator (SMS) in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-258401 (8 Dec. 2009) --- Astronaut Terry Virts (right), STS-130 pilot; along with astronauts Kathryn Hire, Nicholas Patrick and Stephen Robinson, all mission specialists, participate in a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-286845 (21 Dec. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts, STS-130 pilot; and Kathryn Hire, mission specialist, participate in a training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-240765 (12 Nov. 2009) --- Astronauts Stephen Robinson and Kathryn Hire, both STS-130 mission specialists, read a procedure checklist during a training session in a fixed-base shuttle mission simulator (SMS) training session in the Jake Garn Simulation and Training Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

JSC2009-E-224178 (7 Oct. 2009) --- Astronauts Terry Virts (left), STS-130 pilot; Kathryn Hire and Stephen Robinson (right), both mission specialists, participate in a training session in an International Space Station mock-up/trainer in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS-90 Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire enjoys the crawl between Columbia and the white room that allows access to the orbiter. The crew of STS-90 recently participated in the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) in Kennedy Space Center's Orbiter Processing Facility Bay 3. The CEIT gives astronauts an opportunity to get a hands-on look at the payloads with which they will be working on-orbit. Investigations during the STS-90 Neurolab mission will focus on the effects of microgravity on the nervous system. Specifically, experiments will study the adaptation of the vestibular system, the central nervous system, and the pathways that control the ability to sense location in the absence of gravity, as well as the effect of microgravity on a developing nervous system. STS-90, which will be Hire's first Shuttle flight, is scheduled for launch on April 16 at 2:19 p.m. EDT

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Greeted by cheers from wellwishers at KSC and eager for their venture into space on the Neurolab mission, the STS-90 astronauts depart the Operations and Checkout Building on their way to Launch Pad 39B. Leading the seven-member crew is Mission Commander Richard Searfoss (far right), with Pilot Scott Altman by his side. Behind Altman are Mission Specialist Dafydd (Dave) Williams, M.D., (waving) with the Canadian Space Agency, and Mission Specialist Kathryn (Kay) Hire. Behind Hire is Mission Specialist Richard Linnehan, D.V.M., and next to Linnehan is Payload Specialist Jay Buckey, M.D. At the rear behind Linnehan is Payload Specialist James Pawelczyk, Ph.D. Their trip to the pad will take about 25 minutes aboard the Astrovan. Once there, they will take their positions in the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Columbia to await a liftoff during a two-and-a-half hour window that will open at 2:19 p.m. EDT