Jose Hernandez, retired NASA Astronaut, provides remarks at a White House Hispanic Heritage month event titled “Soaring Together: Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Leaders” at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jose Hernandez, retired NASA Astronaut, provides remarks at a White House Hispanic Heritage month event titled “Soaring Together: Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Leaders” at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jose Hernandez, retired NASA Astronaut, provides remarks at a White House Hispanic Heritage month event titled “Soaring Together: Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Leaders” at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jose Hernandez, retired NASA Astronaut, provides remarks at a White House Hispanic Heritage month event titled “Soaring Together: Inspiring the Next Generation of Space Leaders” at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, left, meets with STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency in his office at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Members of the crew of STS-128, from left, Commander Rick Sturckow, mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, speak to the audience during a presentation in the auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Members of the crew of STS-128 seated from left, Commander Rick Sturckow, mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency, speak to the audience during a presentation in the auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, seated left, smiles as Deputy Administrator Lori Garver greets STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency, during a meeting at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, left, talks with STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency in his office at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, right, along with Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs L. Seth Statler, meets with STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, left, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency, at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, right, along with Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs L. Seth Statler, meets with STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, left, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency, at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, left, Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, along with Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs L. Seth Statler, meet with STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency, at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-128 mission specialist Jose Hernandez, left, makes a point while talking to students during an event at the U.S. Department of Education, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Washington as fellow STS-128 crew members, Patrick Forrester and Christer Fuglesang, of the European Space Agency, right, look on. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted Washington area middle and high school students Thursday for a live discussion with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The event was part of the 10th annual celebration of International Education Week. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, left, and Deputy Administrator Lori Garver along with Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs L. Seth Statler, seated right, meet with STS-128 astronauts Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fugelsang, of the European Space Agency, at NASA Headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston – JSC2009-E-082549 -- Astronaut Jose M. Hernandez, mission specialist

S128-E-007090 (31 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, uses a communication system on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-006284 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, uses a computer on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-007093 (31 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, works controls on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-006981 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, watches a computer monitor on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S128-E-006534 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Jose Hernandez and Nicole Stott, both STS-128 mission specialists, work on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-007133 (31 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (left), STS-128 commander, and Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, work on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-006509 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, is pictured on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-006479 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, works on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-006265 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, is pictured on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-007085 (31 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, uses a communication system on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-006859 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, is pictured on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S128-E-009966 (8 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, uses a computer on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day 12 activities.

S128-E-006471 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, works controls on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-007480 (3 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, is pictured in the hatch which connects the flight deck and middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-008354 (7 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, reads a procedures checklist in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

S128-E-007394 (1 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, works in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

S128-E-006285 (29 Aug. 2009) --- European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang (left) and NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, both STS-128 mission specialists, work on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-007412 (1 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, floats through a hatch into the Harmony node of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

S128-E-007013 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Jose Hernandez (left) and Patrick Forrester, both STS-128 mission specialists, work on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S128-E-007534 (4 Sept. 2009) ---- Astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, works out on the bicycle ergometer on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Discovery. The shuttle is currently docked with the International Space Station while the STS-128 astronauts work with the Expedition 20 crewmembers aboard the orbital outpost.

S128-E-007310 (4 Sept. 2009) ---- Astronaut José Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, is busy at a work station in the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory onboard the International Space Station during flight day 8 for the Discovery astronauts, currently working with the Expedition 20 crewmembers aboard the orbital outpost.

JSC2009-E-207847 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Patrick Forrester, STS-128 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Astronaut Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, is at right.

S128-E-009688 (8 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Jose Hernandez (left) and John “Danny” Olivas, both STS-128 mission specialists, prepare food near the galley on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day 12 activities.

JSC2009-E-207816 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

S128-E-006530 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Patrick Forrester (left) and Jose Hernandez, both STS-128 mission specialists, work on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

JSC2009-E-207848 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez, STS-128 mission specialist, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Astronaut John ?Danny? Olivas, mission specialist, is at right.

ISS020-E-038338 (5 Sept. 2009) --- The STS-128 crewmembers found a few moments on a day between two spacewalk days to pose for some portraits on the International Space Station. Pictured on the front row, from the left, are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, both mission specialists. In the back, from left, are astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot, and John "Danny" Olivas, with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, both mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-128 crew members look over packages of equipment that will accompany the mission. At left are Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez. At right are Commander Rick Sturckow (with the red cap) and on his left Mission Specialists Christer Fuglesang and John "Danny" Olivas. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

JSC2009-E-207857 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near JSC. Also pictured (from the second left) are NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander; Kevin Ford, pilot; Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez, John ?Danny? Olivas and European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, all mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez has completed his turn driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JSC2009-E-061368 (23 March 2009) --- Astronaut John ?Danny? Olivas, STS-128 mission specialist, dons a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit prior to being submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA?s Johnson Space Center. Astronaut Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, assisted Olivas.

S128-E-008493 (7 Sept. 2009) --- In the grasp of the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm, the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is placed back in Discovery's payload bay. NASA astronauts Kevin Ford, STS-128 pilot; and Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, were at the controls of the robotic arm in the Destiny laboratory. They grappled Leonardo and removed it from the Harmony node and placed it inside the shuttle’s payload bay for the return home.

S128-E-006982 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut John “Danny” Olivas (left), STS-128 mission specialist, uses a handheld laser ranging device at an overhead window on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery to track the range of the International Space Station during rendezvous operations. Astronaut Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, uses a computer at right.

ISS020-E-037191 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Four of the 13 crew members onboard the International Space Station are pictured in the Harmony node while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. From the left are NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, STS-128 pilot; European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang (mostly obscured behind Ford), NASA astronauts Jose Hernandez and Nicole Stott, all mission specialists; along with NASA astronaut Michael Barratt, Expedition 20 flight engineer.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez takes his turn driving an M-113 armored personnel carrier. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-128 crew members look over packages of equipment that will accompany the mission. At center (with the red cap) is Commander Rick Sturckow; to his left is Mission Specialist José Hernandez. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

S128-E-007468 (2 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Jose Hernandez, STS-128 commander and mission specialist, respectively, pose for a photo with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

S128-E-008490 (7 Sept. 2009) --- In the grasp of the International Space Station’s Canadarm2 robotic arm, the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is placed back in Discovery's payload bay. NASA astronauts Kevin Ford, STS-128 pilot; and Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, were at the controls of the robotic arm in the Destiny laboratory. They grappled Leonardo and removed it from the Harmony node and placed it inside the shuttle’s payload bay for the return home.

JSC2009-E-061365 (23 March 2009) --- Astronaut John ?Danny? Olivas, STS-128 mission specialist, wearing the liquid cooling and ventilation garment that complements the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, prepares for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Astronaut Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, assisted Olivas.

S128-E-009976 (8 Sept. 2009) --- European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang (center), NASA astronauts Jose Hernandez (left background), Tim Kopra (left mostly out of frame), all STS-128 mission specialists; along with Rick Sturckow, commander, are pictured on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day 12 activities.

S128-E-007465 (2 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (foreground) and Jose Hernandez, STS-128 commander and mission specialist, respectively, work in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. An empty Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit floats nearby inside the module.

ISS020-E-038329 (5 Sept. 2009) --- The STS-128 crewmembers found a few moments on a day between two spacewalk days to pose for some portraits on the International Space Station. Pictured on the front row, from the left, are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, both mission specialists. In the back, from left, are astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot, and John "Danny" Olivas, with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, both mission specialists.

ISS020-E-037758 (1 Sept. 2009) --- Astronauts Jose Hernandez (left) and Tim Kopra, both STS-128 mission specialists, are pictured in the Quest airlock of the International Space Station as astronauts John “Danny” Olivas, mission specialist; and Nicole Stott, Expedition 20 flight engineer, prepare to exit the airlock to begin the mission’s first session of extravehicular activity.

S128-E-007954 (7 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Jose Hernandez (left foreground) and Patrick Forrester (right background), both STS-128 mission specialists; and Michael Barratt (top center), Expedition 20 flight engineer; along with European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne (left background) and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both Expedition 20 flight engineers, are busy with various tasks in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez is welcomed to Kennedy Space Center by Center Director Bob Cabana, a former astronaut himself. Hernandez will be making his first spaceflight. Space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission crew members arrived in a NASA Shuttle Training Aircraft, a modified Gulfstream II jet, at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility at 6:34 p.m. EDT. The crew has returned to Kennedy to prepare for launch on Aug. 25 at 1:36 a.m. EDT. The 13-day mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JSC2009-E-207787 (12 Sept. 2009) --- Stephen Lindsey, chief of the astronaut office, greets NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, as the STS-128 crew members exit a Gulfstream aircraft prior to the crew return ceremonies at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center. Pictured behind Sturckow (front to back) are NASA astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot; Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez, both mission specialists. Crew members not pictured are NASA astronauts John ?Danny? Olivas and Tim Kopra; along with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, all mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez completes the fit check of his launch and entry suit and helmet before heading to the NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A for the simulated launch countdown. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test activities to prepare the STS-128 crew for launch on space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez practices getting out of a slidewire basket that can be used for emergency exit from Launch Pad 39A. Still in the basket, at left, is Mission Specialist Nicole Stott. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

ISS020-E-036881 (30 Aug. 2009) --- This is one of a series of digital still images that were recorded shortly after the STS-128 and Expedition 20 crewmembers reunited in space and not long after the Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station joined up in Earth orbit to create the second consecutive 13-person aggregation to perform more work on the orbital outpost. Making his first flight in space is astronaut Jose Hernandez, one of the STS-128 mission specialists who are part of the seven-member crew that flew up to the station onboard Discovery.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members check out storage containers they will use on the mission. From left are Mission Specialists John "Danny" Olivas, Christer Fuglesang, Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez, and Commander Rick Sturckow (pointing). The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which provides hands-on training and observation of shuttle and flight hardware. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on Discovery. Launch is targeted for Aug. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a successful simulated launch countdown, STS-128 Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester (left) and Jose Hernandez hurry to the slidewire basket area on NASA Kennedy Space Center's fixed service structure. They are practicing emergency exit from the pad. Mission crew members are at Kennedy to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and culminates in the simulated countdown. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

ISS020-E-038341 (5 Sept. 2009) --- The STS-128 crewmembers found a few moments on a day between two spacewalk days to pose for some portraits on the International Space Station. Pictured on the front row, from the left, are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander; Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, both mission specialists. In the middle of the "clock" arrangement is astronaut Nicole Stott, an Expedition 20 flight engineer who came up to the orbital outpost with this crew. In the back, from left, are astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot, and John "Danny" Olivas, with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, both mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 crew members put on harnesses before checking out space shuttle Discovery in Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are Pilot Kevin Ford, Commander Rick Sturckow, and Mission Specialists John "Danny" Olivas, Patrick Forester, Jose Hernandez, Nicole Stott and Christer Fugelsang. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which provides hands-on training and observation of shuttle and flight hardware. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on Discovery. Launch is targeted for Aug. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After a successful simulated launch countdown, STS-128 Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester (left) and Jose Hernandez settle in the slidewire basket on NASA Kennedy Space Center's fixed service structure. They are practicing emergency exit from the pad. Mission crew members are at Kennedy to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and culminates in the simulated countdown. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez completes the fit check of his launch and entry suit and helmet before heading to the NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A for the simulated launch countdown. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test activities to prepare the STS-128 crew for launch on space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members are lowered into space shuttle Discovery's payload bay to check equipment. At left is Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez; at center is Commander Rick Sturckow. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which provides hands-on training and observation of shuttle and flight hardware. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on Discovery. Launch is targeted for Aug. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – After completing emergency exit practice from NASA Kennedy Space Center's fixed service structure, STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez removes his gloves. Mission crew members are at Kennedy to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and culminates in the simulated countdown. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members listen to a tile specialist while checking out space shuttle Discovery. The astronauts are, from left, Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez, Commander Rick Sturckow, and Mission Specialist Christer Fuglesang, Nicole Stott and John "Danny" Olivas. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which provides hands-on training and observation of shuttle and flight hardware. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on Discovery. Launch is targeted for Aug. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez makes a fit-check on his launch-and-entry suit to prepare for launch. He and the rest of the crew are scheduled to lift off on space shuttle Discovery at 1:36 a.m. EDT Aug. 25. The 13-day mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston – STS128-S-002 (30 Jan. 2009) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits, these seven astronauts take a break from training to pose for the STS-128 crew portrait. Seated are NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (right), commander; and Kevin Ford, pilot. From the left (standing) are astronauts Jose Hernandez, John "Danny" Olivas, Nicole Stott, European Space Agency's Christer Fuglesang and Patrick Forrester, all mission specialists. Stott is scheduled to join Expedition 20 as flight engineer after launching to the International Space Station on STS-128.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez listens to a question from the media during a question-and-answer session near Launch Pad 39A. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

S128-E-007979 (7 Sept. 2009) --- Crew members onboard the International Space Station share a meal in the Unity node while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. Pictured from the left (bottom) are NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander; Tim Kopra and Jose Hernandez, both STS-128 mission specialists; along with Kevin Ford, STS-128 pilot; and John “Danny” Olivas, STS-128 mission specialist. Pictured from the left (top) are NASA astronaut Nicole Stott (mostly out of frame) and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both Expedition 20 flight engineers; along with NASA astronaut Patrick Forrester, STS-128 mission specialist.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members get instructions about using slidewire baskets for emergency exit from the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang and Jose Hernandez, Commander Rick Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-128 crew members gather on the 225-foot level of NASA Kennedy Space Center's fixed service structure. From left are Commander Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialists Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang, Pilot Kevin Ford and Mission Specialists Nicole Stott, Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez. Mission crew members are at Kennedy to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and culminates in the simulated countdown. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

ISS020-E-038322 (5 Sept. 2009) --- The STS-128 and Expedition 20 crewmembers found a few moments on a day between two spacewalk days to pose for some portraits on the International Space Station. The red-clad crewmembers are with STS-128. They include, front row, from the left, astronauts Rick Sturckow, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester; behind them in red, are astronauts Kevin Ford, John "Danny" Olivas, with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang. At bottom left is Tim Kopra, who joined the station crew in July but now is scheduled to return to Earth in less than a week with the Discovery astronauts. Surrounding the Discovery crew, in clockwise fashion, are the members of Expedition 20 crew, astronaut Nicole Stott, Canadian astronaut Robert Thirsk, with cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and astronaut Michael Barratt.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-128 crew members gather on the 225-foot level of NASA Kennedy Space Center's fixed service structure. From left are Commander Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialists Danny Olivas and Christer Fuglesang, Pilot Kevin Ford and Mission Specialists Nicole Stott, Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez. Mission crew members are at Kennedy to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and culminates in the simulated countdown. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the members of the STS-128 space shuttle crew make a presentation to Kennedy employees about their experiences on the mission. Seated from left are Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester; Commander Rick Sturckow; Mission Specialist John "Danny" Olivas; Pilot Kevin Ford; and Mission Specialists Jose Hernandez and Christer Fuglesang. More than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station were delivered to the International Space Station on the STS-128 mission. The equipment included a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission was the 128th in the Space Shuttle Program, the 37th flight of Discovery and the 30th station assembly flight. Launch was Aug. 28, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

S128-E-007977 (7 Sept. 2009) --- Crew members onboard the International Space Station share a meal in the Unity node while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. Pictured from the left (bottom) are NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander; Tim Kopra and Jose Hernandez, both STS-128 mission specialists; along with Kevin Ford, STS-128 pilot; and John “Danny” Olivas (mostly out of frame at right), STS-128 mission specialist. Pictured from the left (top, partially out of frame) are NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, both Expedition 20 flight engineers; along with NASA astronaut Patrick Forrester, STS-128 mission specialist.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members answer questions from the media. From left are Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford, and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester (with the microphone), Jose Hernandez, John "Danny" Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Nicole Stott. Fuglesang represents the European Space Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The suited STS-128 crew members head for the Astrovan to take them to NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and a simulated launch countdown. From left, in front, are Mission Specialists Nicole Stott and Jose Hernandez and Pilot Kevin Ford. In back are Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Patrick Forrester and Commander Rick Sturckow. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test activities to prepare the STS-128 crew for launch on space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the 2004 class of astronaut candidates gather for a photo in front of Space Shuttle Discovery in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Above them are the External Tank and twin Solid Rocket Boosters. The ascans are, in the back row, left to right, Richard Arnold II, Jose Hernandez, Robert Satcher, Thomas Marshburn, Satoshi Furukawa, Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Robert Kimbrough and Randolph Bresnik; in the front row, left to right, are James Dutton, Shannon Walker, Joseph Acaba, Naoko Yamazaki, Akahiko Hoshide and Christopher Cassidy. The class of 14 candidates includes three candidates from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency as well as three educator astronauts, who were school teachers chosen from thousands of applicants.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission crew members arrive in T-38 training jets at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez is greeted by Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach. The astronauts will be taking part in terminal countdown demonstration test activities that include equipment familiarization and emergency egress training, and will culminate in a simulated launch countdown aboard Discovery. The mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch of Discovery is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the White Room on NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A, STS-128 Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez waits his turn to enter space shuttle Discovery. In the background are Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester (left) and Christer Fuglesang (back to camera). The White Room is at the end of the orbiter access arm and provides entry into the shuttle. Mission crew members are at Kennedy to take part in the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which culminates in a simulated launch countdown inside the shuttle. On the STS-128 mission, Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –In the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members put on their launch-and-entry suits before heading to the Astrovan for the 3.4-mile drive to Launch Pad 39A. There, crew members will complete their suitup and enter space shuttle Discovery for the 1:36 a.m. EDT liftoff. Seen here is Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez, who is making his first shuttle flight. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission is the 128th in the Space Shuttle Program, the 37th flight of Discovery and the 30th station assembly flight. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members get instructions about using slidewire baskets for emergency exit from the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester, Commander Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialists Nicole Stott and Jose Hernandez, and Pilot Kevin Ford. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members have completed emergency exit training on Launch Pad 39A. Standing in front of an M-113 armored personnel carrier are, from left, Pilot Kevin Ford, Mission Specialist John "Danny" Olivas, Commander Rick Sturckow, and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang and Jose Hernandez. Fuglesang represents the European Space Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 crew members practice getting out of a slidewire basket that can be used for emergency exit from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left are Mission Specialist Nicole Stott, Pilot Kevin Ford and Mission Specialist Jose Hernandez. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Center Director Bob Cabana accepts a plaque commemorating the STS-128 space shuttle mission for the STS-128 crew. From left are Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and John "Danny" Olivas; Cabana; Commander Rick Sturckow; Pilot Kevin Ford; and Mission Specialists Jose Hernandez and Christer Fuglesang. More than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station were delivered to the International Space Station on the STS-128 mission. The equipment included a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission was the 128th in the Space Shuttle Program, the 37th flight of Discovery and the 30th station assembly flight. Launch was Aug. 28, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Commander Rick Sturckow (left) answers questions from the media near Launch Pad 39A . Other crew members next to him are Pilot Kevin Ford, and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez, John "Danny" Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Nicole Stott. Fuglesang represents the European Space Agency. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS120-S-092 (7 Nov. 2007) --- Astronaut Scott Parazynski, STS-120 mission specialist, touches the nose cone of Space Shuttle Discovery after its landing at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. At far right is astronaut George Zamka, STS-120 pilot, and at center is astronaut Jose Hernandez. The crew is taking part in the traditional walkdown to look at the state of the shuttle after a launch and landing. The Discovery crew completed the 15-day STS-120 mission, with an on-time landing at 1:01:16 p.m. (EST). Wheel stop was at 1:02:07 p.m. Mission elapsed time was 15 days, 2 hours, 24 minutes and 2 seconds. The STS-120 crew continued the construction of the station with the installation of the Harmony Node 2 module and the relocation of the P6 truss.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The suited STS-128 crew members head for the Astrovan to take them to NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and a simulated launch countdown. From left are Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test activities to prepare the STS-128 crew for launch on space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Near Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 Commander Rick Sturckow, at left with the microphone, introduces the rest of the crew: from left, Pilot Kevin Ford and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez, John "Danny" Olivas, Christer Fuglesang and Nicole Stott. Fuglesang represents the European Space Agency. Media in the foreground capture images and comments. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The suited STS-128 crew members pause for a photo in front of the Astrovan before heading to NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A and a simulated launch countdown. From left are Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow. The countdown is the culmination of terminal countdown demonstration test activities to prepare the STS-128 crew for launch on space shuttle Discovery's STS-128 mission. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Launch is targeted for late August. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The STS-128 crew members pause in front of the Astrovan that will take them to Launch Pad 39A. From left are Mission Specialists Danny Olivas, Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, Pilot Kevin Ford and Commander Rick Sturckow. At the pad, the astronauts will complete their suitup and enter space shuttle Discovery for the 1:36 a.m. EDT liftoff. The 13-day mission will deliver more than 7 tons of supplies, science racks and equipment, as well as additional environmental hardware to sustain six crew members on the International Space Station. The equipment includes a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. The mission is the 128th in the Space Shuttle Program, the 37th flight of Discovery and the 30th station assembly flight. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 crew members gather near Launch Pad 39A to answer questions from the media. From left are Mission Specialists Nicole Stott and John "Danny" Olivas, Commander Rick Sturckow, Pilot Kevin Ford and Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fuglesang, who represents the European Space Agency. On the pad behind them is seen the solid rocket boosters and external fuel tank of space shuttle Discovery. The crew is at Kennedy for a launch dress rehearsal called the terminal countdown demonstration test, or TCDT, which includes emergency exit training and equipment familiarization, as well as a simulated launch countdown. Discovery will deliver 33,000 pounds of equipment to the station, including science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett