Dr. William R. Lucas served as Marshall Space Flight Center Director from June 15, 1974 until July 3, 1986, when he retired after thirty-four years of civil service. Prior to the appointment, Lucas served as Center Deputy Director (1971-1974), Program Development Director (1968-1971), Astronautics Laboratory Director (1966-1968), and Propulsion and Vehicle Laboratory Director (1960-1966).
Dr. William R. Lucas, Marshall's fourth Center Director (1974-1986), delivers a speech in front of a picture of the lunar landscape with Earth looming in the background while attending a Huntsville Chamber of Commerce reception honoring his achievements as Director of Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).
Mechanical engineering and integration technician, Lucas Keim, stands inside the Acoustics chamber at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Md., Aug 24, 2023. This photo has been reviewed by OSAM1 project management and the Export Control Office and is released for public view. NASA/Mike Guinto
jsc2013e007948 (Jan. 25, 2013) --- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano poses for his official portrait in a U.S. spacesuit at NASA's Johnson Space Center. A patch bearing the flag of his home country of Italy is attached to the spacesuit. The ESA and Italian flags are also in the left background.
iss060e033086 (8/9/2019) --- A view of European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmitano during the installation of the MultiScale Boiling Experiment Container (EC) in the Fluid Science Laboratory FSL) in the Columbus Module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Multiscale Boiling investigates the fundamental basics of boiling heat transfer phenomena on a heater surface in a pool boiling configuration. Data from this investigation is used for the validation of theoretical models and numerical codes.
ISS036-E-007249 ( June 2013) --- European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, Expedition 36 flight engineer, creates a bubble of orange juice from a beverage dispenser in the Unity node during some of his off-duty time aboard the Earth-orbiting International Space Station. Parmitano is scheduled to stay aboard the orbital outpost until November.
iss060e014613 (7/25/2019) --- European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Luca Parmintano is shown in the Columbus module aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Vection experiment. The objective of The Effect of Long Duration Hypogravity on the Perception of Self-Motion (VECTION) study is to determine to what extent an astronaut's ability to visually interpret motion, orientation, and distance may be disrupted in a microgravity environment, and how it may adapt, and how it may be changed upon return to Earth. Multiple experimental time points inflight and upon return to Earth allows for the adaptation and recovery process to be investigated.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., speaks during NASA’s Science Day on the Hill event, Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
JSC2012-E-238485 (27 Aug. 2012) --- European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano, Expedition 34 backup crew member, attired in a Russian Sokol launch and entry suit, takes a break from training in Star City, Russia to pose for a portrait. Photo credit: Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
On October 02, 1976, Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) Redstone test stand was received into the National Registry of Historical Places. Photographed in front of the Redstone test stand are Dr. William R. Lucas, MSFC Center Director from June 15, 1974 until July 3, 1986, as he is accepting a certificate of registration from Madison County Commission Chairman James Record, and Huntsville architect Harvie Jones.
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-OK., chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee questions NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a hearing on “An Overview of the Fiscal Year 2024 Proposed Budget Request for NASA,” Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., asks NASA Administrator Bill Nelson a question during a House Science, Space and Technology Committee hearing on the fiscal year 2022 budget proposal, Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Rep. Frank Lucas, (R-OK) Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, deliveres remarks during a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony recognizing NASA’s Hidden Figures, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Congressional Gold Medals were awarded to Katherine Johnson, Dr. Christine Darden, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary W. Jackson in recognition of their service to the United States as well as a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of all the women who served as computers, mathematicians, and engineers at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and NASA between the 1930s and 1970s. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is introduced during a press conference, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Expedition 60 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA, and flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., gives opening remarks during a hearing regarding the NASA Fiscal Year 2025 budget, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) provides remarks at a Moon tree dedication ceremony, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the United States Capitol in Washington. The American Sweetgum tree planted on the southwestern side of the Capitol, was grown from a seed that was flown around the Moon during the Artemis I mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) provides remarks at a Moon tree dedication ceremony, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at the United States Capitol in Washington. The American Sweetgum tree planted on the southwestern side of the Capitol, was grown from a seed that was flown around the Moon during the Artemis I mission. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
On October 02, 1976, Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) Redstone test stand was received into the National Registry of Historical Places. Photographed in front of the Redstone test stand along with their wives are (left to right), Madison County Commission Chairman James Record, Dr. William R. Lucas, MSFC Center Director from June 15, 1974 until July 3, 1986, (holding certificate), Ed, Buckbee, Space and Rocket Center Director; Harvie Jones, Huntsville Architect; Dick Smith; and Joe Jones.
Expedition 58 backup crew member, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), speaks from behind glass, while in quarantine, during the State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of Expedition 58 to the International Space Station, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Dec. 3 and will carry Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, Flight Engineer Anne McClain of NASA, and Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) into orbit to begin their six and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani).
Expedition 58 backup crew member, Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), speaks during a press conference, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Dec. 3 and will carry Expedition 58 prime crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, Flight Engineer Anne McClain of NASA, and Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) into orbit to begin their six and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani).
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano attends a Karaganda Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov landed their Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft in remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 58 backup crew members, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, left, and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), speak during a press conference, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for Dec. 3 and will carry Expedition 58 prime crew members, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, Flight Engineer Anne McClain of NASA, and Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) into orbit to begin their six and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani).
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano attends a Karaganda Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020 after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov landed their Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft in remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Members of Marshall's Facilities Operations and Maintenance Office team, including, clockwise from left, Robert Drane, Jeremy Holmes, Don Davis, team foreman Dusty Crouch, Wesley Brook and Lucas Broadway, gather to inspect and replace a pipe fitting.
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 59 backup crewmember Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency answers questions during a press conference, Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Expedition 59 crewmembers Nick Hague and Christina Koch of NASA, along with Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos will launch March 14, U.S. time, on the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is seen during a hearing on the James Webb Space Telescope, Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. Witnesses: NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and Mr. Tom Young, chairman, JWST Independent Review Board. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) performs the traditional door signing at the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing the hotel for launch on a Soyuz rocket with fellow crewmates Andrew Morgan of NASA and Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, Saturday, July 20, 2019 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Morgan, and Parmitano launched at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) to begin their mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is carried to the inflatable medical tent from minutes after he landed in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) answers a question during a press conference, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 59 backup crewmember Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency is blessed by a Russian Orthodox Priest in the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing for the prime crew's launch on a Soyuz rocket, Thursday, March 14, 2019 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Expedition 59 crewmembers Nick Hague and Christina Koch of NASA, along with Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos launched March 14, U.S. time, on the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 59 backup crewmembers Drew Morgan of NASA, left, and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency watch as the Soyuz rocket is transported by train to the launch pad, Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 59 crewmembers Nick Hague and Christina Koch of NASA, along with Alexey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, will launch March 14, U.S. time, on the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a six-and-a-half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is seen in quarantine, behind glass, during a press conference, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) smiles minutes after his landing in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), left, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, center, and flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA, right, speak with Roscosmos, NASA, and ESA (European Space Agency) management after having their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Morgan, Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), right, speaks with family along with Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos and flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA after having their Russian Sokol suits pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Morgan, Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is seen outside the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft after he landed with NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) speaks with family after having his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and Andrew Morgan of NASA launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano or ESA (European Space Agency) gives a thumbs up as he waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Andrew Morgan of NASA, and Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency smiles during the crew press conference at the Cosmonaut Hotel, Monday, May 27, 2013, in Kazakhstan. Parmitano and his fellow crew members, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, were in quarantine and kept behind glass during the press conference in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 58 Flight Engineer Anne McClain of NASA hugs backup crew member Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) while she waits to have her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for her launch aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the same day and will carry McClain, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) into orbit to begin their six and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
Expedition 58 Flight Engineer Anne McClain of NASA speaks with backup crew member Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) while she waits to have her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for her launch aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the same day and will carry McClain, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) into orbit to begin their six and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, center, is supported by Russian Nurse Raksana Batsmanova, left, at the Karaganda Airport in Kazakhstan after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch and, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov landed in their Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) prepares to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and Andrew Morgan of NASA launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) prepares to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and Andrew Morgan of NASA launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, center, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano sit in chairs outside the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft after they landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is helped out of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft just minutes after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 58 Flight Engineer Anne McClain of NASA speaks with backup crew member Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) while she waits to have her Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for her launch aboard the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft on Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket is scheduled for the same day and will carry McClain, Soyuz Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) into orbit to begin their six and a half month mission on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is helped out of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft just minutes after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, landed their Soyuz MS-13 capsule in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency talks during the crew press conference at the Cosmonaut Hotel, Monday, May 27, 2013, in Kazakhstan. Parmitano and his fellow crew members, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, were in quarantine and kept behind glass during the press conference in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is seen as he waits to have his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked in preparation for launch aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, and Andrew Morgan of NASA launched aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20 to begin their journey to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency waves during the crew press conference at the Cosmonaut Hotel, Monday, May 27, 2013, in Kazakhstan. Parmitano and his fellow crew members, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, were in quarantine and kept behind glass during the press conference in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is carried to a medical tent shortly after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov landed in their Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA astronaut Christina Koch, left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, center, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano attend a Karaganda Airport welcome ceremony in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano is helped out of the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft just minutes after he, NASA astronaut Christina Koch, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA is blessed by a Russian Orthodox Priest in the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing for launch on a Soyuz rocket with fellow crewmates Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), Saturday, July 20, 2019 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Morgan, and Parmitano launched at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) to begin their mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is carried from the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft minutes after he landed in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Family, friends and colleagues watch and photograph Expedition 36/37 Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Flight Engineers; Karen Nyberg of NASA, and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency as they depart the Cosmonaut Hotel, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Yurichikin, Nyberg, Parmitano were departing the hotel in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg of NASA, left, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), center, and Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency depart the Cosmonaut Hotel, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Nyberg, Yurichikin, and Parmitano departed the hotel in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), right, speaks during the State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of Expedition 60 to the International Space Station, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, center, and Andrew Morgan of NASA, left, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano is seen waving goodbye to friends and family after boarding the bus that will take him to the Soyuz launch pad hours ahead of his launch, Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 36 NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg is seen talking to family members after donning her Russian Sokol suit in preparation for her launch aboard the Soyuz rocket, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Nyberg, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano, right, is seen talking to family members after donning his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz rocket, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 Soyuz flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is blessed by a Russian Orthodox Priest in the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing for launch on a Soyuz rocket with fellow crewmates Andrew Morgan of NASA and Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, Saturday, July 20, 2019 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Morgan, and Parmitano launched at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) to begin their mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
NASA astronauts Deniz Burnham, Andre Douglas, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, get in boats that will take them to the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, foreground, and NASA astronaut Andre Douglas, are seen in a Navy helicopter onboard USS Somerset during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano is seen talking to family members after donning his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz rocket, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is carried from the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft minutes after he landed in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 36 NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg, left, and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano share a word after donning their Russian Sokol suits in preparation for their launch aboard the Soyuz rocket, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Nyberg, Parmitano and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency signs a hotel room door at the Cosmonaut Hotel, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Parmitano and his fellow crew members, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and, Flight Engineer, and Karen Nyberg of NASA, were departing the hotel in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA astronauts Deniz Burnham, Andre Douglas, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, take boats to the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) is carried from the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft minutes after he landed in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 60 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, center, speaks during the State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of Expedition 60 to the International Space Station, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Andrew Morgan of NASA, left, and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), right, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) performs the traditional door signing at the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing the hotel for launch on a Soyuz rocket with fellow crewmates Andrew Morgan of NASA and Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, Saturday, July 20, 2019 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Morgan, and Parmitano launched at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) to begin their mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 60 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos is blessed by a Russian Orthodox Priest in the Cosmonaut Hotel prior to departing for launch on a Soyuz rocket with fellow crewmates Andrew Morgan of NASA and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), Saturday, July 20, 2019 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Morgan, and Parmitano launched at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) to begin their mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 60 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, left, and flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) are seen during a press conference, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Skvortsov, Parmitano, and flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA, are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
NASA astronauts Deniz Burnham, Andre Douglas, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, get in boats that will take them to the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano is helped into his Russian Sokol suit as he and fellow crewmates, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Yurchikhin and Nyberg on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano is seen talking to family members after donning his Russian Sokol suit in preparation for his launch aboard the Soyuz rocket, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, left, and NASA astronaut Stan Love are seen as they prepare to take part in practicing Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano is seen as he prepares to take part in practicing Artemis recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Friday, March 28, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
NASA astronauts Andre Douglas, Deniz Burnham, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano are seen onboard the USS Somerset as they prepare to practice recovery procedures during Underway Recovery Test-12, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send the Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, foreground, and NASA astronaut Andre Douglas, are seen in a Navy helicopter onboard USS Somerset during Underway Recovery Test-12 off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The Soyuz rocket with Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft onboard is seen on the launch pad after the arrival of Expedition 60 flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA, and Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Parmitano, Morgan, and Skvortsov are scheduled to launch at 12:28 p.m. Eastern time (9:28 p.m. Baikonur time) on July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Expedition 36 NASA Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Yurchikhin, NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) pumps his fist minutes after his landing in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 37 Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) waves minutes after his landing in the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Parmitano, Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano is helped into his Russian Sokol suit as he and fellow crewmates, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg prepare for their Soyuz launch to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Yurchikhin and Nyberg on a five and a half month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/GCTC/Andrey Shelepin)
NASA astronauts Deniz Burnham, Andre Douglas, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Luca Parmitano, get in boats that will take them to the Crew Module Test Article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test-12 onboard USS Somerset off the coast of California, Thursday, March 27, 2025. During the test, NASA and Department of Defense teams are practicing to ensure recovery procedures are validated as NASA plans to send Artemis II astronauts around the Moon and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36/37 Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency prepares to sign a hotel room door at the Cosmonaut Hotel, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Parmitano and his fellow crew members, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), and, Flight Engineer, and Karen Nyberg of NASA, were departing the hotel in preparation for their launch on a Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday May 29, Kazakh time. Photo credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 European Space Agency Flight Engineer Luca Parmitano has his Russian Sokol suit pressure checked ahead of his launch onboard a Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft to the International Space Station, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Parmitano, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 36 NASA Flight Engineer Karen Nyberg ,left, and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano are seen talking to family members after donning their Russian Sokol suits in preparation for their launch aboard the Soyuz rocket, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Launch of the Soyuz rocket will send Nyberg, Parmitano and Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin on a five and a half-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
Expedition 60 prime crew members flight engineer Andrew Morgan of NASA, left, Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, second from left, and flight engineer Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency), third from left, are seen with backup crew members Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), third from right, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos, second from right, and Thomas Marshburn of NASA, right, during the State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of Expedition 60 to the International Space Station, Friday, July 19, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Expedition 60 Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of Roscosmos, Andrew Morgan of NASA, and Luca Parmitano of ESA (European Space Agency) are scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft on Saturday, July 20. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)
Sixty-three seconds after the launch of the modified Saturn V vehicle carrying the Skylab cluster, engineers in the operation support and control center saw an unexpected telemetry indication that signalled that damages occurred on one solar array and the micrometeoroid shield during the launch. Still unoccupied, the Skylab was stricken with the loss of the heat shield and sunlight beat mercilessly on the lab's sensitive skin. Internal temperatures soared, rendering the the station uninhabitable, threatening foods, medicines, films, and experiments. The launch of the first marned Skylab (Skylab-2) mission was delayed until methods were devised to repair and salvage the workshop. Personnel from other NASA Centers and industries quickly joined the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in efforts to save the damaged Skylab. They worked day and night for the next several days. Eventually the MSFC developed, tested, rehearsed, and approved three repair options. These options included a parasol sunshade and a twin-pole sunshade to restore the temperature inside the workshop, and a set of metal cutting tools to free the jammed solar panel. This photograph was taken during a discussion of the methods of the twin-pole Sun shield by (left to right) Astronaut Alan Bean, MSFC Director Dr. Rocco Petrone, Astronaut Edward Gibson, and MSFC engineer Richard Heckman. Dr. William Lucas, who became MSFC Director after Dr. Petrone left MSFC in March of 1974, is standing.