Official portrait, Leland Melvin, NASA Headquarters, Thursday Jan. 6, 2011 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, far right, answers questions from students about his experience as an astronaut on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, speaks to students about his experience as an astronaut on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, center, poses with students from Ferebee-Hope Elementary School on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, center, speaks to students about his experience as an astronaut on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, answers questions from students about his experience as an astronaut on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, reads to first and third grade students from the book “The Moon Over Star” at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Reading is Fundamental distributes more than 50,000 free books to help children discover the joy of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former space shuttle astronaut, reads to first and third grade students from the book “The Moon Over Star” at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Reading is Fundamental distributes more than 50,000 free books to help children discover the joy of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin teaches the ABC's of living and working in space to Sesame Street's Elmo at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, FL. The pair discussed nutrition, exercise, hygiene in orbit. They also chatted about the features of the space shuttle and the various suits that astronauts wear. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin teaches the ABC's of living and working in space to Sesame Street's Elmo at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, FL. The pair discussed nutrition, exercise, hygiene in orbit. They also chatted about the features of the space shuttle and the various suits that astronauts wear. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin teaches the ABC's of living and working in space to Sesame Street's Elmo at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, FL. The pair discussed nutrition, exercise, hygiene in orbit. They also chatted about the features of the space shuttle and the various suits that astronauts wear. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JSC2007-E-36047 (14 June 2007) --- Astronaut Leland D. Melvin, mission specialist

Leland Melvin, Associate Administrator, Office of Education and former astronaut, gives opening remarks at the Symposium on Supporting Underrepresented Minority Males in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

STS-122 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin, right, talks with members of the space shuttle close out crew underneath the wing of the space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility, 9:07a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. completing delivery of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut and Associate Administrator for Education, Leland Melvin, talks to school children during an Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. Students were able to meet with Astronaut Melvin, conduct experiments, build their own space jab, and touch a mockup space suit. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut and Associate Administrator for Education, Leland Melvin, talks to school children during an Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. Students were able to meet with Astronaut Melvin, conduct experiments, build their own space jab, and touch a mockup space suit. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut and Associate Administrator for Education, Leland Melvin, talks to school children during an Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. Students were able to meet with Astronaut Melvin, conduct experiments, build their own space jab, and touch a mockup space suit. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut and Associate Administrator for Education, Leland Melvin, talks to school children during an Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. Students were able to meet with Astronaut Melvin, conduct experiments, build their own space jab, and touch a mockup space suit. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Astronaut and Associate Administrator for Education, Leland Melvin, talks to school children during an Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education event held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Arlington, VA on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. Students were able to meet with Astronaut Melvin, conduct experiments, build their own space jab, and touch a mockup space suit. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut, addresses an assembly at Eliot Hine Middle School in celebration of Black History Month on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Washington. Melvin spoke about his journey to become a NASA astronaut stressing education as key. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin (on stage), NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut, addresses an assembly at Eliot Hine Middle School in celebration of Black History Month on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Washington. Melvin spoke about his journey to become a NASA astronaut stressing education as key. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin (on stage), NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut, addresses an assembly at Eliot Hine Middle School in celebration of Black History Month on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Washington. Melvin spoke about his journey to become a NASA astronaut stressing education as key. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

STS-129 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin speaks to students at the Howard University Middle School of Math and Science, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, on the campus of Howard University in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-129 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin speaks to students at the Howard University Middle School of Math and Science, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, on the campus of Howard University in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former 2x astronaut, addresses students before the start of "FMA Live!" at Hardy Middle School in Washington on Monday, Sept. 16th, 2013. "FMA Live!" is a program sponsored by NASA and Honeywell that teaches Newton's three laws of motion mixed with dance and music. The program travels across the country and has reached nearly 300,000 students.Photo Credit: (NASA/Jay Westcott)

NASA astronaut Leland Melvin signs autographs to middle school students during the kick off of NASA's Summer of Innovation program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 10, 2010. Through the program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school students and teachers in stimulating math and science-based education programs with the goal of increasing the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Leland Melvin signs autographs to middle school students during the kick off of NASA's Summer of Innovation program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 10, 2010. Through the program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school students and teachers in stimulating math and science-based education programs with the goal of increasing the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Leland Melvin welcomes teachers and middle school students to the kick off of NASA's Summer of Innovation program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 10, 2010. Through the program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school students and teachers in stimulating math and science-based education programs with the goal of increasing the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin gives remarks prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin shows some photographs from his previous flight experience prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and NASA Astronaut, moderates the NASA Future Forum Inspiration and Education Panel at The Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. The NASA Future Forum features panel discussions on the importance of education to our nation's future in space, the benefit of commercialized space technology to our economy and lives here on Earth, and the shifting roles for the public, commercial and international communities in space. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Leland Melvin welcomes teachers and middle school students to the kick off of NASA's Summer of Innovation program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, June 10, 2010. Through the program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school students and teachers in stimulating math and science-based education programs with the goal of increasing the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin poses with attendees prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin gives remarks prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin gives remarks prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

STS-129 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin speaks to a class room of students at the Howard University Middle School of Math and Science, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, on the campus of Howard University in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut, is interviewed by sixth grade students from the Broadcast Media Class at Eliot Hine Middle School on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Washington. The radio club program, Eliot Hine Radio, is broadcast live on the internet. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, right, Education Design Team Co-Chair and NASA Astronaut, speaks at the NASA Education Stakeholders’ Summit One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI), Monday, Sep. 13, 2010, at the Westfields Marriott Conference Center in Chantilly, VA. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, right, Education Design Team Co-Chair and NASA Astronaut, speaks at the NASA Education Stakeholders’ Summit One Stop Shopping Initiative (OSSI), Monday, Sep. 13, 2010, at the Westfields Marriott Conference Center in Chantilly, VA. (Photo Credit: NASA/Carla Cioffi)

STS-129 Pilot Barry Wilmore, left, answers a question from the audience as Mission Specialist Leland Melvin, looks on, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, during a presentation to staff and middle school students from the Congressional Schools of Virginia at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut, is interviewed by sixth grade students from the Broadcast Media Class at Eliot Hine Middle School on Friday, March 1, 2013 in Washington. The radio club program, Eliot Hine Radio, is broadcast live on the internet. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education, speaks during a panel discussion on inspiration in education at the 2011 NASA Future Forum held at the Riggs Alumni Center on the campus of the University of Maryland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, in College Park, Md. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-129 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin, left. looks on as Mission Specialist Robert Satcher answers a question during a presentation to students at the Howard University Middle School of Math and Science, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, on the campus of Howard University in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-129 Mission Specialist Leland Melvin, answers a question as fellow crew members look on, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, during a presentation to staff and middle school students from the Congressional Schools of Virginia at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin is seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Robert Braun, NASA Chief Technologist, second from left, makes a point, as panelists Leland Melvin, Assoicate Administrator for NASA Education, left, Dr. Laurie Leshin, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Exploration Systems Mission Directortorate, and Dr. Waleed Abdalati, NASA Chief Scientist, right, look on during a panel discussion at the NASA Future Forum held at the Riggs Alumni Center on the campus of the University of Maryland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 in College Park, Md. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin moderates a panel with former NASA Administrator and astronaut, Charlie Bolden; former NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, European astronaut and professor, Institute of Space Systems, Reinhold Ewald; Roscosmos cosmonaut and executive director for piloted spaceflights, Sergey Krikalev; and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, André Kuipers during the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA's Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin and former astronaut and space shuttle commander Pam Melroy, speak about Sally Ride's impact on the astronaut corps, the space program and beyond during 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)

Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin, 3rd from left, talks with school children during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, left, and former NASA astronauts Leland Melvin and Susan Kilrain pose for a photograph prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin, 3rd from left, talks with school children during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, left, and NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson, pose for photograph with 6-year old Armani Bonds prior to the screening of the NASA produced documentary “The Color of Space” at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium in Washington, Saturday, June 18, 2022. Premiering on Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, “The Color of Space” is an inspirational documentary that tells the stories of NASA’s Black astronauts determined to reach the stars. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astronauts Scott Altman, left, and Leland Melvin speak of their fallen comrades as Emil de Cou, right, looks on during a program commemorating Human Spaceflight and the Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin talks with school children during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin talks with school children during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former 2x astronaut,Hardy Middle School Prinipal Patricia Pride, and Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions introduce "FMA Live!" at Hardy Middle School in Washington on Monday, Sept. 16th, 2013. "FMA Live!" is a program sponsored by NASA and Honeywell that teaches Newton's three laws of motion mixed with dance and music. The program travels across the country and has reached nearly 300,000 students.Photo Credit: (NASA/Jay Westcott)

Astronauts Scott Altman, left, and Leland Melvin speak of their fallen comrades during a program commemorating Human Spaceflight and the Kennedy Legacy, Wednesday, May 25, 2011, in the concert hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. The event marked the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's Special Message to the Congress on Urgent National Needs in which he stated "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth". Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former 2x astronaut, Hardy Middle School Prinipal Patricia Pride, and Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions introduce "FMA Live!" at Hardy Middle School in Washington on Monday, Sept. 16th, 2013. "FMA Live!" is a program sponsored by NASA and Honeywell that teaches Newton's three laws of motion mixed with dance and music. The program travels across the country and has reached nearly 300,000 students.Photo Credit: (NASA/Jay Westcott)

Tom Buckmaster, President, Honeywell Hometown Solutions and Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former 2x astronaut, are interviewed before the start of "FMA Live!" at Hardy Middle School in Washington on Monday, Sept. 16th, 2013. "FMA Live!" is a program sponsored by NASA and Honeywell that teaches Newton's three laws of motion mixed with dance and music. The program travels across the country and has reached nearly 300,000 students.Photo Credit: (NASA/Jay Westcott)

STS-129 crew members from left, Robert Satcher, Randy Bresnik, Mike Foreman, Barry Wilmore, Commander Charles Hobaugh and Leland Melvin pose with a group of White House Fellows at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-129 crew members from left, Robert Satcher, Mike Foreman, Randy Bresnik, Barry Wilmore, Commander Charles Hobaugh and Leland Melvin pose with a group of White House Fellows at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA associate administrator for education and former astronaut Leland Melvin speaks at the annual White House State of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (SoSTEM) address, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and two-time space shuttle astronaut, speaks to students from D.C.'s Stuart-Hobson Middle School at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 in Washington. The students, participants from the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) conducted a live conversation with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink is an annual event held in honor of International Education Week, and was co-hosted with the Department of Education and the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Astronauts, from left, Danny Olivas, Garrett Reisman, Barbara Morgan, and, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut, Leland Melvin give high fives to school children as they enter the California Science center's Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012, in Los Angeles. 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. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

President of LEGO Education USA Stephan Turnipseed, back left, and Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin, 2nd from right, talk with a student during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin (right), NASA Associate Administrator for Education, along with the head of the Mexican Space Agency, Dr. Francisco Javier Mendieta Jimenez shake hands after signing a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement (RSAA) for a NASA International Internship Program as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden looks on, Monday, March 18, 2013 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The International Internship Program is a pilot program developed at NASA which will provide and avenue for non-US students to come to NASA for an internship. US students will be paired with a foreign student to work on a NASA research project under the guidance of a mentor. This is the first NASA-Mexico agreement signed. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (center) presents Dr. Francisco Javier Mendieta Jimenez, Director General of the Mexican Space Agency, a NASA montage in honor of the Reimbursable Space Act Agreement (RSAA) signed between the two agencies, Monday, March 18, 2013 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Leland Melvin (right), NASA Associate Administrator for Education looks on. The International Internship Program is a pilot program developed at NASA which will provide and avenue for non-US students to come to NASA for an internship. US students will be paired with a foreign student to work on a NASA research project under the guidance of a mentor. This is the first NASA-Mexico agreement signed. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and two-time space shuttle astronaut, speaks to students from D.C.'s Stuart-Hobson Middle School at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 in Washington. The students, participants from the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) conducted a live conversation with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink is an annual event held in honor of International Education Week, and was co-hosted with the Department of Education and the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Leland Melvin (right), NASA Associate Administrator for Education, along with the head of the Mexican Space Agency, Dr. Francisco Javier Mendieta Jimenez pose for a photo after signing a Reimbursable Space Act Agreement (RSAA) for a NASA International Internship Program as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden looks on, Monday, March 18, 2013 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The International Internship Program is a pilot program developed at NASA which will provide and avenue for non-US students to come to NASA for an internship. US students will be paired with a foreign student to work on a NASA research project under the guidance of a mentor. This is the first NASA-Mexico agreement signed. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin, left, and President of LEGO Education USA Stephan Turnipseed, right, talk with a student during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and two-time space shuttle astronaut, answers a question from a student in a live video downlink at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 in Washington. The students, participants from the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP) conducted a live conversation with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The downlink is an annual event held in honor of International Education Week, and was co-hosted with the Department of Education and the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE). Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Associate Administrator for Education and Astronaut Leland Melvin, left, and President of LEGO Education USA Stephan Turnipseed, right, help students during the “Build the Future” activity where students created their vision of the future in space with LEGO bricks and elements inside a tent that was set up on the launch viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010. NASA and The LEGO Group signed a Space Act Agreement to spark children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dr. Laurie Leshin, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Exploration Systems Mission Directortorate, second from right, speaks as Dr. Waleed Abdalati, NASA Chief Scientist, right, Dr. Robert Braun, NASA Chief Technologist, and Leland Melvin, Assoicate Administrator for NASA Education, far left, at the NASA Future Forum held at the Riggs Alumni Center on the campus of the University of Maryland, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 in College Park, Md. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

John Grunsfeld (far left), Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, Dr. Francisco Javier Mendieta Jimenez, Director General of the Mexican Space Agency, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, Leland Melvin, NASA Associate Administrator for Education and Al Condes (far right), Deputy Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations pose for a photo, Monday, March 18, 2013 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. A Reimbursable Space Act Agreement (RSAA) for a NASA International Internship Program was signed between the two agencies. This is the first NASA-Mexico agreement signed. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. 3rd from left, introduces Edward Moore Kennedy III, 4th from left, to NASA Astronaut Leland Melvin, left, and former NASA Astronaut Scott Altman, 2nd from left, as Edward's mother Kiki Kennedy, wife of Edward M Kennedy Jr. and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, right, look on at an event recognizing the 50th anniversary of the inauguration of John F. Kennedy as president of the United States, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2001 at the U.S. Capitol rotunda. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astronaut Leland Melvin

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, look on as retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA STS-129 mission specialist Leland Melvin, standing, speaks to students assembled as fellow crew members Barry Wilmore, seated left, Mike Foreman and Randy Bresnick, seated right, look on during a presentation about their recent mission, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks as NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Jasmin Moghbeli, Stephanie Wilson, and Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, right, look on prior to the screening of the movie Lightyear on the grounds of the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Washington. The Vice President and Second Gentleman hosted an evening of NASA STEM activities at the Naval Observatory for military families and local STEM students and their families, including a special screening of Disney Pixar’s Lightyear. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks as NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Jasmin Moghbeli, Stephanie Wilson, and Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, right, look on prior to the screening of the movie Lightyear on the grounds of the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Washington. The Vice President and Second Gentleman hosted an evening of NASA STEM activities at the Naval Observatory for military families and local STEM students and their families, including a special screening of Disney Pixar’s Lightyear. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

STS-129 crew members, from left, Robert Satcher, Mike Foreman, Randy Bresnik, Leland Melvin, Pilot Barry Wilmore, and Mission Commander Charlie Hobaugh stop and pose for a photograph before getting into the astrovan and heading to launch pad 39a at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fl on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Leland Melvin, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA STS-129 mission pilot Barry Wilmore, second from left, demonstrates weightlessness in space with Trent Petersen, a student at Stuart-Hobson Middle School, left, as crew members Mike Foreman, Leland Melvin and Randy Bresnick, right, look on during a presentation about their recent mission, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, and retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, right, answer questions during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, look on as retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Vice President Kamala Harris gives remarks as NASA astronauts Tom Marshburn, Jasmin Moghbeli, Stephanie Wilson, and Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, right, look on prior to the screening of the movie Lightyear on the grounds of the Vice President's residence at the Naval Observatory, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Washington. The Vice President and Second Gentleman hosted an evening of NASA STEM activities at the Naval Observatory for military families and local STEM students and their families, including a special screening of Disney Pixar’s Lightyear. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

STS-129 crew members, from left, Robert Satcher, Mike Foreman, Randy Bresnik, Leland Melvin, Pilot Barry Wilmore, and Mission Commander Charlie Hobaugh stop and pose for a photograph before getting into the astrovan and heading to launch pad 39a at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fl on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA STS-129 mission specialist Mike Foreman, second from left, talks about space walking as crew members Barry Wilmore, left, Leland Melvin and Randy Bresnick, right, look on during a presentation about their recent mission, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Crew members from STS-129 from left; Charles Hobaugh, Commander, Barry Wilmore, Pilot, Mission Specialists, Leland Melvin, Randy Bresnick, Mike Foreman and Robert Satcher, are seen, Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, during a presentation to staff and middle school students from the Congressional Schools of Virginia at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Astronaut Leland Melvin, Taron Austin

Betsy Pugel, a physicist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., shows students an imprint of a boot from a space suit on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011, at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Betsy Pugel, far left, a physicist from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., talks with students about the space suit glove they are trying on, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011 at Ferebee-Hope Elementary School in Washington, DC. Ferebee-Hope Elementary School, in collaboration with Reading is Fundamental (RIF), hosted this event in honor of Black History Month, and to highlight the importance of reading. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Clayton Turner, director of NASA's Langley Research Center, left, Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, second from left, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, center, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, second from right, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, left, moderates a panel with, from left to right, Roscosmos cosmonaut and executive director for piloted spaceflights, Sergey Krikalev; former NASA astronaut Mary Cleave; former NASA Administrator and astronaut, Charlie Bolden; ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, André Kuipers; and European astronaut and professor, Institute of Space Systems, Reinhold Ewald, during the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)