JSC2001-01347 (24 Jan. 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, commander

S96-16631 (1996) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, astronaut candidate (ASCAN).

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky speaks to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

The crew of STS-98 poses for a group photo shortly before leaving NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center after a successful landing of the Space Shuttle Atlantis the day before. L to R: Mission Specialists Robert L. Curbeam, Thomas D. Jones, and Marsha S. Ivins, Commander Kenneth D. Cockrell, and Pilot Mark L. Polansky.

NASA Astronaut and STS-127 Mission Commander Mark Polansky, left, answers questions at the NASA Tweetup event held at NASA Headquarters, September 24, 2009 in Washington. Nearly 200 of NASA’s Twitter followers are in attendance. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, left, looks on as crew member David Wolf answer a question during a presentation to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Astronaut and STS-127 Mission Commander Mark Polansky, also known as @Astro_127 on Twitter, answers questions at the NASA Tweetup event held at NASA Headquarters, September 24, 2009 in Washington. Nearly 200 of NASA’s Twitter followers are in attendance. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Astronaut and STS-127 Mission Commander Mark Polansky, far left, answers questions at the NASA Tweetup event held at NASA Headquarters, September 24, 2009 in Washington. Nearly 200 of NASA’s Twitter followers are in attendance. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 mission commander, poses for a photograph by the front wheel of the space shuttle Endeavour shortly after it and its crew landed, Friday, July 31, 2009 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., completing a 16-day journey of more than 6.5 million miles. Endeavour delivered the final segment to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and a new crew member to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, center, speaks to students during a visit to Anne Beers Elementary school, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Washington. Polansky, along with the rest of the crew from STS-127, visited with students at the school Thursday. Seated from left are Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette, Chris Cassidy, Doug Hurley, David Wolf and Tom Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

L to R: STS-98 Mission Specialist Thomas Jones, Pilot Mark Polansky, and Commander Kenneth Cockrell greet STS-92 Commander Brian Duffy, Dryden Center Director Kevin Petersen, and AFFTC Commander Major General Richard Reynolds after landing on the runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center is located.

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, left, shakes hands with Canadian Ambassador to the United States Michael Wilson after presenting him with a montage as Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette, seated center, looks on, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, during a visit to the Canadian Embassy in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, at podium, speaks to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Seated from left are crew members Christopher Cassidy, David Wolf, Julie Payette, Douglas Hurley and Thomas Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, at podium, speaks to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Seated from left are crew members Christopher Cassidy, David Wolf, Julie Payette, Douglas Hurley and Thomas Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, at podium, speaks to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Seated from left are crew members Christopher Cassidy, David Wolf, Douglas Hurley and Thomas Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, STS-127 mission commander Mark Polansky, and NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, right, walk around the space shuttle Endeavour shortly after it and its crew landed, Friday, July 31, 2009 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., completing a 16-day journey of more than 6.5 million miles. Endeavour delivered the final segment to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory and a new crew member to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette, a mission specialist on STS-127, at podium, speaks to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Seated from left are crew members Christopher Cassidy, David Wolf, Mark Polansky, Douglas Hurley and Thomas Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, standing left, talks about the recent mission to White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Seated from left are crew members Julie Payette, Christopher Cassidy, David Wolf, Douglas Hurley and Thomas Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, at podium, and crew member David Wolf, standing right, answer questions from White House interns at the Eisenhower Executiive Office Building in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009. Seated from left are crew members Christopher Cassidy, Douglas Hurley and Thomas Marshburn. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Ajani Young, a fourth grade student at Anne Beers Elementary school, at podium, introduces the crew of STS-127 during their visit, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Washington. Seated from left are crew members, Chris Cassidy, Doug Hurley, Commander Mark Polansky, David Wolf, Tom Marshburn and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Students and teachers look on as STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, seated left on stage talks about the mission to the International Space Station as other crew members Chris Cassidy, Doug Hurley, David Wolf, Tom Marshburn looks on during a visit to Anne Beers Elementary school, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

STS-127 shuttle mission crew members from left, Commander Mark Polansky, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Christopher Cassidy, Tom Marshburn, Dave Wolf and Julie Payette of the Canadian Space Agency, give a presentation at the NASA Tweetup event held at NASA Headquarters, September 24, 2009 in Washington. The NASA Tweetup featured a presentation and a question and answer session with the crew of the STS-127 shuttle mission to install new hardware and expand the Japanese Kibo laboratory on the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston - JSC2001-01347 (January 2001) - Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, commander.

JSC2006-E-54851 (23 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, smiles at the large turnout of well-wishers at the STS-116 crew return ceremony on the afternoon of Dec. 23 at Ellington Field. Polansky and six crewmates briefly addressed the crowd.

S127-E-006594 (17 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, on flight deck during flight day 3.

S127-E-006608 (17 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, on flight deck during flight day 3.

S127-E-008704 (25 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, is pictured near a window in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S116-E-05403 (11 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, occupies the commander's station on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S127-E-008926 (26 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, works in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S116-E-07026 (18 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, pauses for a photo as he works in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station during flight day ten activities.

S116-E-05886 (12 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, makes his selection for a meal at the galley on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery, while docked with the International Space Station.

STS98-E-5015 (8 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot, is pictured at the pilot's station on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during Flight Day 1. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

S127-E-008697 (25 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, is pictured near a window in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Endeavour remains docked with the station.

S127-E-006283 (16 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, works on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities.

S127-E-011269 (28 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, occupies the commander’s station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour during flight day 14 activities.

JSC2001-E-04807 (21 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot, shares a few thoughts about his first space mission with well wishers on hand at the STS-98 crew's return at Ellington Field.

S127-E-008854 (26 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, looks over checklists on the middeck of Space Shuttle Endeavour while docked with the International Space Station.

S116-E-05205 (10 Dec. 2006) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, works the controls on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S127-E-011529 (29 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, is pictured near the control panels and windows on the aft flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Endeavour.

S127-E-006555 (17 July 2009) --- Astronauts Mark Polansky (left) and Doug Hurley, at the commander and pilot stations, respectively, do their part to safely dock the Space Shuttle Endeavour with the International Space Station.

S127-E-011163 (28 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, works on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour during flight day 14 activities.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At the Shuttle Landing Facility, STS-127 Commander Mark Polansky, at microphone, addresses the media and those on hand to welcome the STS-127 crew to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Polansky and the other members of the crew arrived from Houston aboard the Shuttle Training Aircraft in the background to get ready for launch on space shuttle Endeavour on June 13. From left are Mission Specialists Tim Kopra, Julie Payette of the Canadian Space Agency, and Tom Marshburn; Commander Mark Polansky; Pilot Doug Hurley; and Mission Specialists Christopher Cassidy and Dave Wolf. The STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory complex on the International Space Station. Endeavour will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility, or JEM-EF, and the Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section, or ELM-ES, to the space station on STS-127. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

JSC2008-E-139778 (12 Nov. 2008) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance (USA) suit technician Raymond Cuevas assisted Polansky.

S127-E-007430 (21 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky (right) and Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Gennady Padalka take a break from a busy agenda onboard the International Space Station on the eve of the third of five spacewalks scheduled as part of more than a week's worth of joint activities for Endeavour and ISS crewmembers. Polansky is STS-127 commander, and Padalka is the station commander.

JSC2005-E-32736 (1 Aug. 2005) --- Crew trainer Bob Behrendsen briefs astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, on the usage of a special pulley device, used to lower oneself from a trouble-plagued shuttle, during a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center. Polansky is attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit.

S127-E-007453 (21 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky (left) and Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Gennady Padalka take a break from a busy agenda onboard the International Space Station on the eve of the third of five spacewalks scheduled as part of more than a week's worth of joint activities for Endeavour and ISS crewmembers. Polansky is STS-127 commander, and Padalka is the station commander.

JSC2005-E-32739 (1 Aug. 2005) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, uses a special pulley device to lower himself from a simulated trouble-plagued shuttle during a training session in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the Johnson Space Center. Polansky is wearing a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit.

S127-E-008063 (23 July 2009)--- Inside Kibo or the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), astronaut Mark Polansky (left), STS-127 commander, shakes hands with Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, who has been onboard the International Space Station for a tour of duty as flight engineer but will be returning to Earth with Polansky and the rest of the STS-127 crew next week.

S127-E-007467 (21 July 2009) --- As dinner is served onboard the International Space Station, many of the 13 current habitants begin to come in for a serving. From left to right are Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Russian Federal Space Agency cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, astronaut Mark Polansky and cosmonaut Gennady Padalka. Polansky and Padalka are commanders for the station and shuttle crews, respectively.

S127-E-008067 (23 July 2009)--- Inside Kibo or the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), astronaut Mark Polansky (left), STS-127 commander, shakes hands with Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, who has been onboard the International Space Station for a tour of duty as flight engineer but will be returning to Earth with Polansky and the rest of the STS-127 crew next week.

JSC2008-E-155152 (12 Dec. 2008) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, dons a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit in preparation for a water survival training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA?s Johnson Space Center. United Space Alliance suit technician Raymond Cuevas assisted Polansky.

JSC2006-E-47958 (6 November 2006) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky, left, and Robert L. Curbeam Jr. respond to a question from a reporter during a Nov. 6 press briefing at the Johnson Space Center. Polansky, commander, and Curbeam, one of five mission specialists, are part of the seven-member STS-116 crew currently in training for a Dec. 2006 visit to the International Space Station.

JSC2002-E-08148 (1 March 2002) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, seated at the Spacecraft Communicator (CAPCOM) console in the Shuttle Flight Control Room of the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center, talks on the communications "loop" with launch controllers in Florida about the pre-launch situation for the Space Shuttle Columbia and NASA's STS-109 mission at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Astronaut Polansky is ascent CAPCOM for the STS-109 mission.

JSC2000-04778 (16 June 2000) --- Attired in training versions of the shuttle launch and entry garment, astronauts Mark Polansky (left) and Robert L. Curbeam take a break from a simulation exercise in the motion-base shuttle mission simulator (seen in the background) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). Polansky is STS-98 pilot and Curbeam doubles as a mission specialist and flight engineer for the scheduled January 2000 5a mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Photographic documentation showing STS-98 crewmembers engaging in preflight training in bldg. 5. Views include: STS-98 mission commander Kenneth D. Cockrell, wearing a Launch Entry Suit (LES) and a helmet, sits in the commanders station on the flight deck of the mobile-based Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) (04774); STS-98 pilot Mark L. Polansky, wearing LES and helmet, sits in the pilots station, with STS-98 Mission Specialist (MS) Robert L. Curbeam seated behind him on the flight deck (04775); Polansky in the pilots station (04776); Curbeam in a LES and wearing a Communications Carrier Assembly (CCA) (04777); Polansky and Curbeam pose, wearing LES and no helmets, in bldg. 5 (04778); Polansky, wearing a LES, fastens his CCA (04779); Cockrell, Polansky, Curbeam and STS-98 MS Marsha S. Ivins, wearing LES, sit in locker room (04780); Ivins and suit techs (04781); suit techs and Polansky (04782); suit techs and Cockrell (04783).

ISS020-E-024567 (25 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, places the STS-127 patch above a hatch in the Kibo laboratory, which adds to the growing collection of insignias representing crews who have lived and worked on the International Space Station.

STS98-E-5203 (13 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, checks out a detail in a flight plan at the pilot's station on the Space Shuttle Atlantis on February 13. This scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

STS98-E-5016 (9 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot for STS-98, is pictured on the mid deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis prior to the start of a busy Flight Day 2 itinerary. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

S116-E-07787 (21 Dec. 2006) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky (left) and William A. (Bill) Oefelein, STS-116 commander and pilot, respectively, look over procedures checklists on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day 13 activities.

S127-E-006246 (16 July 2009) --- NASA astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander; and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette, mission specialist, are pictured on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities.

ISS01-E-5378 (14 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky is pictured in the new Destiny laboratory. The STS-98 and Expedition One crews have been busy in the lab since its hatch was opened earlier in the week. This photo was taken with a digital still camera.

STS098-345-028 (7-20 February 2001) --- Astronauts Thomas D. Jones, mission specialist, and Mark L. Polansky, pilot, change out lithium hydroxide canisters on the mid deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis.

JSC2005-E-31233 (28 July 2005) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, simulates a parachute drop into water during an emergency bailout training session at the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near the Johnson Space Center.

S127-E-006667 (17 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, stands near the aft flight deck controls of the Space Shuttle Endeavour during rendezvous and docking activities on flight day three. The International Space Station can be seen through the starboard window.

S127-E-009744 (28 July 2009) --- NASA astronaut Mark Polansky (background), STS-127 commander; and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Koichi Wakata, mission specialist, work in the hatch between Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station as they prepare for the undocking of the two spacecraft.

STS098-322-0001 (7-20 February 2001) --- Three STS-98 astronauts move a rack into position aboard the newly attached Destiny laboratory. From the left to right are astronauts Robert L. Curbeam, mission specialist; Mark L. Polansky, pilot; and Kenneth D. Cockrell, mission commander.

S127-E-008250 (23 July 2009) --- Astronauts Mark Polansky (right) STS-127 commander; and Dooug Hurley, pilot, are pictured in the Japaense Experiment Module or Kibo during flight day 9 activities on the International Space Station.

STS98-E-5086 (10 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, communicates with ground controllers from his post at the aft flight deck controls on the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

At the Kremlin Wall in Moscow March 11, 2011, Russian cosmonaut Andrey Borisenko lays flowers in honor of fallen icons as part of the ceremonial activities leading to the scheduled launch of Expedition 27 to the International Space Station, scheduled for March 30 (Kazakhstan time) in the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA/Mark Polansky

STS98-E-5179 (12 February 2001) --- Astronaut Robert L. Curbeam (right), STS-98 mission specialist, with the aid of astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot, dons his extravehicular mobility unit for the upcoming space walk on the International Space Station on February 12. This scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

S127-E-005113 (15 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, attired in his shuttle launch and entry suit, is pictured at the commander?s station on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour during postlaunch activities.

S116-E-05252 (10 Dec. 2006) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky (background) and William A. (Bill) Oefelein, STS-116 commander and pilot, respectively, look over procedures checklists on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

ISS020-E-023585 (23 July 2009) --- Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata (left) and astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 mission specialist and commander, respectively, work in the Japanese Experiment Module or Kibo during flight day 9, as joint shuttle-station activities continue on the orbital outpost.

S127-E-006286 (16 July 2009) --- Astronauts Mark Polansky (right), STS-127 commander; and Doug Hurley, pilot, take a moment for a photo on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour during flight day two activities.

PHOTO DATE: 11-03-08 LOCATION: BLDG 9NW SUBJECT: Place on IO/STS Missions/STS-127/Preflight. Notify Mike Gentry, Kathy Strawn, Nicole Cloutier and Mark Polansky when posted PHOTOGRAPHER: BILL STAFFORD X34753

S127-E-009745 (28 July 2009) --- NASA astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, is pictured in the hatch between Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station as the STS-127 crew members prepare for the undocking of the two spacecraft.

At the Kremlin Wall in Moscow March 11, 2011, NASA astronaut Ron Garan lays flowers in honor of fallen icons as part of the ceremonial activities leading to the scheduled launch of Expedition 27 to the International Space Station, scheduled for March 30 (Kazakhstan time) in the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA/Mark Polansky

STS98-E-5220 (14 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot, assists one of the STS-98 space walkers with his boot during suit donning aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

S98-E-5085 (10 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, makes marginal notes on flight procedures tablets on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera during Flight Day 4 activities.

STS98-E-5071 (10 February 2001) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, and Kenneth D. Cockrell (partially visible at right), mission commander, shave their faces on the mid deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

At the Kremlin Wall in Moscow March 11, 2011, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Samokutyaev lays flowers in honor of fallen icons as part of the ceremonial activities leading to the scheduled launch of Expedition 27 to the International Space Station, scheduled for March 30 (Kazakhstan time) in the Soyuz TMA-21 spacecraft. Photo credit: NASA/Mark Polansky

JSC2005-E-31226 (28 July 2005) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-116 commander, attired in a training version of the shuttle launch and entry suit, awaits the start of an emergency egress training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near the Johnson Space Center (JSC).

JSC2001-E-04804 (21 February 2001) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky (left) and Kenneth D. Cockrell (center), pilot and commander, respectively, for the STS-98 mission, are greeted by Steven A. Hawley of the Flight Crew Operations Directorate upon their return to Houston. The greetings took place prior to a welcoming ceremony at Ellington Field.

STS98-E-5088 (10 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, SS-98 pilot, communicates with ground controllers from the mid deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Parts of at least two sleep stations are visible in the digital still camera's scene.

STS98-E-5002 (8 February 2001) -- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, is seen on the flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis in one of the first digital still camera scenes to be down linked from the shuttle.

ISS020-E-023581 (23 July 2009) --- Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata (right) and astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 mission specialist and commander, respectively, work in the Japanese Experiment Module or Kibo during flight day 9, as joint shuttle-station activities continue on the orbital outpost.

S127-E-008488 (25 July 2009) --- From the left, astronauts Mark Polansky (partially out of frame), STS-127 commander, Doug Hurley, pilot, and Christopher Cassidy, mission specialist, take some leisure time on the mid deck of the Space Shuttle Endeavour while it is linked up to the International Space Station.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - During Energy and Awareness Week, astronaut Kenneth Ham autographs a photo for an employee (right). Ham is one of two astronauts celebrating Earth Day with KSC. The other is Mark Polansky. The two-day event was held April 22-23 around the Center.

S127-E-008891 (26 July 2009) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, uses a still camera at an overhead window on the aft flight deck of Space Shuttle Endeavour to photograph the Japanese Experiment Module - Exposed Facility in the grasp of the International Space Station’s Canadarm2.

STS098-355-001 (7-20 February 2001) --- Astronauts Thomas D. Jones and Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 mission specialists, are photographed during their sleep shift in the newly-attached Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS).

STS098-320-008 (7-20 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, translates through the Zarya functional cargo block (FGB) while visiting and working aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

STS98-E-5084 (10 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, STS-98 pilot, takes notes on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera during Flight Day 4 activities.

STS98-E-5024 (9 February 2001) --- Astronaut Mark L. Polansky, pilot, temporarily mans the commander's station on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis during STS-98 Flight Day 2 maneuvers. The photograph was recorded with a digital still camera.

JSC2001-E-21559 (13 July 2001) --- Astronauts Mark L. Polansky (left) and Steven G. MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) look over information regarding the STS-104 mission at the spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) console in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) in Houston's Mission Control Center (MCC).

JSC2008-E-139811 (12 Nov. 2008) --- Astronaut Mark Polansky, STS-127 commander, attired in a training version of his shuttle launch and entry suit, awaits the start of a training session in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

STS98-E-5073 (10 February 2001) --- Astronauts Kenneth D. Cockrell (foreground), STS-98 mission commander, and Mark L. Polansky, pilot, share a mirror in order to shave their faces on the mid deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The scene was recorded with a digital still camera.

STS098-S-016 (20 Feb. 2001) --- The main landing gear on the space shuttle Atlantis touches down to mark mission completion at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of California.Onboard were astronauts Kenneth Cockrell, Mark Polansky, Robert Curbeam, Thomas Jones and Marsha Ivins. Atlantis touched down on Edward?s concrete runway at 2:33 p.m. (CST), Feb. 20, for a mission elapsed time of 12 days, 21 hours and 20 minutes. Photo credit: NASA

STS098-S-017 (20 Feb. 2001) --- A drag chute slows down the space shuttle Atlantis following its touchdown to mark mission completion at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of California. Onboard were astronauts Kenneth Cockrell, Mark Polansky, Robert Curbeam, Thomas Jones and Marsha Ivins. Atlantis touched down on Edward?s concrete runway at 2:33 p.m. (CST), Feb. 20, for a mission elapsed time of 12 days, 21 hours and 20 minutes. Photo credit: NASA

STS098-S-015 (20 Feb. 2001) --- The main landing gear on the space shuttle Atlantis touches down to mark mission completion at Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert of California.Onboard were astronauts Kenneth Cockrell, Mark Polansky, Robert Curbeam, Thomas Jones and Marsha Ivins. Atlantis touched down on Edward?s concrete runway at 2:33 p.m. (CST), Feb. 20, for a mission elapsed time of 12 days, 21 hours and 20 minutes. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – – The STS-127 crew members arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for space shuttle Endeavour's July 11 launch on the 29th assembly flight to the International Space Station. Leading the way, Commander Mark Polansky is greeted by the STS-127 Launch Director Pete Nickolenko. Behind Polansky is Pilot Doug Hurley. Polansky will be making his third shuttle flight and Hurley his first. This will be the third launch attempt due to the leak of hydrogen gas at the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate during tanking on two previous attempts, June 13 and June 17. The STS-127 mission is the final of three flights dedicated to the assembly of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory complex. Endeavour will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module's Exposed Facility, or JEM-EF, and the Experiment Logistics Module-Exposed Section, or ELM-ES. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett