JSC Director Mike Coats tours the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

JSC Director Mike Coats tours the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

JSC Director Mike Coats tours the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

JSC Director Mike Coats tours the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

JSC Director Mike Coats and Orion Program Manager Mark Geyer tour the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, accompanied by JSC Director Mike Coats and Orion Program Manager Mark Geyer, tours the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, accompanied by JSC Director Mike Coats, tours the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and JSC Director Mike Coats at podium after tour of the Orion mockups in Bldg. 9 at Johnson Space Center in Houston followed by a short Q&A in front of the mockup on Sept. 26, 2011. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

The crew of the STS 41-D mission exit the orbiter after landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Starting at the top of the ladder is Astronaut Charles D. Walker, payload specialist; Judith A. Resnik, mission specialist; Steven A. Hawley, mission specialist; and Richard M. Mike Mullane, mission specialist. Waiting at the bottom of the ramp are Astronaut Mike Coats (left), pilot and Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr. (center), crew commander.

The crew assigned to the STS-41D mission included (seated left to right) Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, mission specialist; Steven A. Hawley, mission specialist; Henry W. Hartsfield, commander; and Michael L. (Mike) Coats, pilot. Standing in the rear are Charles D. Walker, payload specialist; and Judith A. (Judy) Resnik, mission specialist. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery August 30, 1984 at 8:41:50 am (EDT), the STS-41D mission deployed three satellites: the Satellite Business System SBS-D; the SYCOM IV-2 (also known as LEASAT-2); and the TELSTAR.

41D-3299 (5 Sept 1984) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery was captured on film just prior to touchdown on Runway 17 at Edwards Air Force Base to successfully complete a six-day mission in space. Inside were Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr., Michael L., Coats, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, Steven A. Hawley, Judith A. Resnik and Charles D. Walker. Mission duration time was six days, 56 minutes and four seconds.

In the Space Shuttle Atlantis facility at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Chairman Dan Brandenstein, left, also a Hall of Fame astronaut, presents inductee Ellen Ochoa with her hall of fame medal. Former Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats, right, a Hall of Fame member, presented Ochoa for induction. During this year's ceremonies, space shuttle astronaut Michael Foale also was enshrined.

JSC2007-E-098002 (8 Nov. 2007) --- The crew of the STS-120 mission was welcomed home to Houston Nov. 8, following the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery in Florida on Nov. 7. Center Director Mike Coats, far right, introduced the crew to the crowd on hand at Ellington Field. From the right are STS-120 commander Pam Melroy, pilot George Zamka and mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli (ESA) and Clay Anderson were welcomed by family and friends during the ceremony.

JSC2007-E-098003 (8 Nov. 2007) --- The crew of the STS-120 mission was welcomed home to Houston Nov. 8, following the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery in Florida on Nov. 7. STS-120 commander Pam Melroy, pilot George Zamka (both pictured here with JSC Director Mike Coats) along with mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli (ESA) and Clay Anderson (all out of frame) were welcomed by family and friends during a ceremony at Houston's Ellington Field.

PHOTO DATE: 7-21-11 LOCATION:Bldg 1 - Flag Pole Area SUBJECT: Viewing of STS-135 Landing on Jumbotron as well as flag ceremony and mini events in Front of Houston JSC Bldg. 1. Speakers include Astronaut Mike Massimino and JSC Center Director Michael Coats. WORK ORDER: 02027-DCB-LH_Wheel Stop_Bldg. 1_7-21-11 PHOTOGRAPHER: Devin Boldt

In the Space Shuttle Atlantis facility at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Chairman Dan Brandenstein, left, also a Hall of Fame astronaut, presents inductee Ellen Ochoa with her hall of fame medal. Former Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats, right, a Hall of Fame member, presented Ochoa for induction. During this year's ceremonies, space shuttle astronaut Michael Foale also was enshrined.

S84-40185 (08/21/1984) --- stronaut preflight Press Conference with the STS-41D Crew with Public Affairs Office (PAO) Reprentative Steve Nesbitt in the foreground in the Bldg 2 Briefing Room on 08/17/1984. Crewmembers visible (R-L) are: Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr., Crew Commander; Michael L. Coats, Pilot: Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, Steven A. Hawley, Judith A. Resnik - all Mission Specialists: and, Charlie D. Walker, Payload Specialist. JSC, Houston, TX

Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann (right) hosted directors from six other NASA centers during a forum discussion at the south Mississippi rocket engine test facility Nov. 9. The directors discussed the future of the American space program from their perspectives during an all hands session with Stennis employees. Participants were: (l to r) David McBride, Lesa Roe, Ray Lugo, Bob Cabana, Robert Lightfoot, Mike Coats and Scheuermann.

JSC2009-E-122153 (26 May 2009) --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats (far left) and the STS-125 crew are pictured at the STS-125 crew return ceremony on May 26, 2009 at Ellington Field near JSC. From second left are astronauts Scott Altman, commander; Gregory C. Johnson, pilot; along with astronauts Michael Good, Megan McArthur, John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino and Andrew Feustel, all mission specialists.

William Gerstenmaier, seated center, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, speaks at a post Soyuz docking press conference at Russian Mission Control on Friday, June 18, 2010 in Korolev, Russia. Gerstenmaier is seen with NASA and ROSCOSMOS senior management members. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

Sherry Walker, second from right, speaks to her daughter NASA Flight Engineer and astronaut Shannon Walker after she and her Expedition 24 crew mates docked to the International Space Station (ISS), Friday, June 18, 2010 in Korolev, Russia. Walker, Soyuz Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin and Flight Engineer Doug Wheelock launched aboard their Soyuz TMA-19 spacecraft on Wednesday, June 16 to start a six-month tour aboard the ISS.

William Gerstenmaier, second from right, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations, speaks to the crew of Expedition 24 shortly after their arrival to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard their Soyuz TMA-19 on Friday, June 18, 2010 at Russian Mission Control in Korolev, Russia. Photo Credit: (NASA/Carla Cioffi)

NASA Johnson Space Center Director Michael Coats monitors the launch team discussions on his headset from Firing Room Four of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Sunday, July 12, 2009. The space shuttle Endeavour is set to launch at 7:13p.m. EDT with the crew of STS-127 and start a 16-day mission that will feature five spacewalks and complete construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

JSC2007-E-097963 (8 Nov. 2007) ---- The crew of the STS-120 mission received a special greeting upon their return home to Houston Thursday, Nov. 8, following the landing of space shuttle Discovery in Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 7. President George W. Bush greeted STS-120 commander Pam Melroy (pictured). He also exchanged greetings with the other members of the crew (out of frame) -- pilot George Zamka and mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Clay Anderson at Houston's Ellington Field. JSC Director Mike Coats applauds in the background.

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, center, along with Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States Michael Kratsios, left, and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, right, listen to remarks by panelists during the National Space Council's first meeting, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. The National Space Council, chaired by Vice President Mike Pence heard testimony from representatives from civil space, commercial space, and national security space industry representatives. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

JSC2007-E-097964 (8 Nov. 2007) ---- The crew of the STS-120 mission received a special greeting upon their return home to Houston Thursday, Nov. 8, following the landing of space shuttle Discovery in Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 7. President George W. Bush greeted STS-120 commander Pam Melroy (pictured). He also exchanged greetings with the other members of the crew (out of frame) -- pilot George Zamka and mission specialists Scott Parazynski, Stephanie Wilson, Doug Wheelock, Paolo Nespoli and Clay Anderson at Houston's Ellington Field. JSC Director Mike Coats applauds in the background.

KSC-84PC-476 (For release Aug. 29, 1984) --- Orbiter Discovery is poised on Launch Pad 39A as the sun sets the evening prior to its maiden launch. Space shuttle Discovery (STS-41D) was successfully launched at 8:41 a.m. Aug. 30, 1984, after two failed attempts in June. Carrying a crew of six astronauts and three satellites, Discovery is the third in NASA?s stable of four Space Transportation System orbiters. The six-person crew includes Commander Henry Hartsfield, Pilot Michael Coats, Mission Specialists Judith Resnik, Mike Mullane and Steve Hawley and the first commercial payload specialist, Charles Walker of McDonnell Douglas. Photo credit: NASA

Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, center, along with Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States Michael Kratsios, left, and Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats, right, listen to remarks by panelists during the National Space Council's first meeting, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017 at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va. The National Space Council, chaired by Vice President Mike Pence heard testimony from representatives from civil space, commercial space, and national security space industry representatives. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

S84-30898 (16 Oct 1983) --- NASA Space Shuttle Orbiter 103, Discovery, is rolled out in formal ceremonies at the Rockwell International Palmdale, California, facility. On hand to greet the vehicle and the public are members of the 41-D crew--the first team of astronauts to man the new vehicle. Scheduled for a spring or summer flight in 1984 are astronauts Henry W. Hartsfield (right), commander; Michael L. Coats (second right), pilot; and Judith A. Resnik, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane and Steven A. Hawley (on left of stage), all mission specialists. Don Beall of Rockwell International (at lectern) prepares to introduce Dr. Rocco A. Petrone, president of Rockwell's Space Transportation Systems Division.

S84-30259 (April 1984) --- NASA's Discovery will carry these six STS51-D crew members into space on an early summer mission. Astronaut Henry W. Hartsfield Jr. (second right, front row) is crew commander; and Michael L. Coats, right, is pilot. Astronauts Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, left; Steven A. Hawley (second left) and Judith A. Resnik are mission specialists. Charles D. Walker (back row) is payload specialist. Both the early ocean-going Discovery and the debuting spacecraft are depicted in the backdrop. The conspicuous payload in the cargo bay of the spacecraft is that of NASA's Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST-1). Photo credit: NASA

JSC2008-E-047113 (15 June 2008) --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats (far left) addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-124 crew return ceremony on June 15, 2008 at Ellington Field near JSC. From the second left are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, all mission specialists.

JSC2008-E-047157 (15 June 2008) --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats (far left) addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-124 crew return ceremony on June 15, 2008 at Ellington Field near JSC. From the second left are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, all mission specialists.

JSC2008-E-047111 (15 June 2008) --- The STS-124 crewmembers were welcomed home to Houston June 15, 2008, following the landing of Space Shuttle Discovery in Florida on June 14. NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats (far left) introduced the crew to a large crowd on hand at Ellington Field near JSC. From the second left are NASA astronauts Mark Kelly, commander; Ken Ham, pilot; Karen Nyberg, Ron Garan, Mike Fossum, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, all mission specialists.

41D-3194 (30 Aug 1984)--- The six members of the 41-D Discovery crew leave the operations and checkout building at Kennedy Space to marke their way to Launch Pad 39A and a date with space. Leading the group is Henry W. hartsfield Jr., commander. Michael L. Coats, pilot, is left center. The mission specialists are Steven A. Hawley, second right, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, right center, and Judith A. Resnik. Charles D. Walker, payload specialist, follows Resnik. Behind the blue-suited crewmembers are George W.S. Abbey, left, director of flight crew operations and John W. Young, chief of the astronaut office.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Stennis Center Director Patrick Scheuermann, left, Kennedy's Center Director Bob Cabana, Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats and Marshall Center Director Robert Lightfoot (extreme right), monitor the countdown to launch of space shuttle Discovery on its STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. Discovery and its six-member crew are on a mission to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. Discovery is making its 39th mission and is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This is the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

STS133-S-062 (24 Feb. 2011) --- In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Stennis Center Director Patrick Scheuermann, left, Kennedy's Center Director Bob Cabana, Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats and Marshall Center Director Robert Lightfoot (extreme right), monitor the countdown to launch of space shuttle Discovery on its STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. Discovery and its six-member crew are on a mission to deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. Discovery is making its 39th mission and is scheduled to be retired following STS-133. This is the 133rd Space Shuttle Program mission and the 35th shuttle voyage to the space station. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

S86-41700 (19 May 1984) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery moves towards Pad A on the crawler transporter for its maiden flight. Discovery will be launched on its first mission no earlier than June 19, 1984. Flight 41-D will carry a crew of six; Commander Henry Hartsfield, Pilot Mike Coats, Mission Specialists Dr. Judith Resnik, Dr. Steven Hawley and Richard Mullane and Payload Specialist Charles Walker. Walker is the first payload specialist to fly aboard a space shuttle. He will be running the materials processing device developed by McDonnell Douglas as part of its Electrophoresis Operations in Space project. Mission 41-D is scheduled to be a seven-day flight and to land at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The Syncom IV-1 (LEASAT) will be deployed from Discovery's cargo bay and the OAST-1, Large Format Camera, IMAX and Cinema 360 cameras will be aboard.

41D-12-034 (30 Aug.- 5 Sept. 1984) --- Following the completion of their six-day mission in space, the six crew members of NASA's 41-D mission mentioned that though a great deal of work was accomplished, there were "fun" moments too. From all appearance this group shot was one of the lighter moments aboard the Discovery. Crew members are (counter-clockwise from center) Henry W. Hartsfield Jr., crew commander; Michael L. Coats, pilot; Steven A. Hawley and Judith A. Resnik, both mission specialists; Charles D. Walker, payload specialist; and Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, mission specialist. A pre-set 35mm camera was used to expose the frame. Walker stands near the project that occupied the majority of his time onboard--the continuous flow electrophoresis systems (CFES) experiment. Photo credit: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the firing room, NASA officials wait for the countdown of the second launch attempt of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116. At the consoles, from left, are NASA Administrator Mike Griffin, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Mission William Gerstenmaier, Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats, Kennedy Space Center Director Jim Kennedy and Marshall Space Flight Center Director Dave King. This was the second launch attempt for mission STS-116. The first launch attempt on Dec. 7 was postponed due a low cloud ceiling over Kennedy Space Center. This is Discovery's 33rd mission and the first night launch since 2002. The 20th shuttle mission to the International Space Station, STS-116 carries another truss segment, P5. It will serve as a spacer, mated to the P4 truss that was attached in September. After installing the P5, the crew will reconfigure and redistribute the power generated by two pairs of U.S. solar arrays. Landing is expected Dec. 21 at KSC. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

S78-26481 (January 1978) --- This is a montage of the individual portraits of the 35-member 1978 class of astronaut candidates. From left to right are Guion S. Bluford, Daniel C. Brandenstein, James F. Buchli, Michael L. Coats, Richard O. Covey, John O. Creighton, John M. Fabian, Anna L. Fisher, Dale A. Gardner, Robert L. Gibson, Frederick D. Gregory, S. David Griggs, Terry J. Hart, Frederick H. (Rick) Hauck, Steven A. Hawley, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Shannon W. Lucid, Jon A. McBride, Ronald E. McNair, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, Steven R. Nagel, George D. Nelson, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnik, Sally K. Ride, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Rhea Seddon, Brewster H. Shaw Jr., Loren J. Shriver, Robert L. Stewart, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Norman E. Thagard, James D. Van Hoften, David M. Walker and Donald E. Williams. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Banana River Creek VIP viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to media and spectators before the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Seen also are Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann (left), Marshall Space Flight Center Director Robert Lightfoot and Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats. Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Chad Baumer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Banana River Creek VIP viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Marshall Space Flight Center Director Robert Lightfoot speaks to media and spectators before the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Also seen here are Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann (left) and Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats. Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Chad Baumer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Marshall Space Flight Director Robert Lightfoot, left, Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana and Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats monitor the countdown to liftoff of space shuttle Endeavour in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center. Endeavour lifted off on its STS-134 mission to the International Space Station on time at 8:56 a.m. EDT on May 16. The shuttle and its six-member crew are embarking on a mission to deliver the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS), Express Logistics Carrier-3, a high-pressure gas tank and additional spare parts for the Dextre robotic helper to the space station. Endeavour's first launch attempt on April 29 was scrubbed because of an issue associated with a faulty power distribution box called the aft load control assembly-2 (ALCA-2). For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana and Johnson Center Director Mike Coats monitor the countdown to the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 will be the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

S78-26569 (31 Jan. 1978) --- The 35 new astronaut candidates, presented Jan. 31, 1978, in the Building 2 auditorium at NASA's Johnson Space Center, pose for photographers. They are arranged in alphabetical order with top left as beginning point and bottom right as stopping point. They are Guion S. Bluford, Daniel C. Brandenstein, James F. Buchli, Michael L. Coats, Richard O. Covey, John O. Creighton, John M. Fabian, Anna L. Fisher, Dale A. Gardner, Robert L. Gibson, Frederick D. Gregory, S. David Griggs, Terry J. Hart, Frederick H. (Rick) Hauck, Steven A. Hawley, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Shannon W. Lucid, Jon A. McBride, Ronald E. McNair, Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, Steven R. Nagel, George D. Nelson, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith A. Resnik, Sally K. Ride, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Rhea Seddon, Brewster H. Shaw Jr., Loren J. Shriver, Robert L. Stewart, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Norman E. Thagard, James D. van Hoften, David M. Walker and Donald E. Williams. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

S84-26391 (3 April 1984) --- The official mission insignia for the 41-D space shuttle flight features the Discovery--NASA's third orbital vehicle--as it makes its maiden voyage. The ghost ship represents the orbiter's namesakes which have figured prominently in the history of exploration. The space shuttle Discovery heads for new horizons to extend that proud tradition. Surnames for the crew members of NASA's eleventh space shuttle mission encircle the red, white and blue scene. They are astronauts Henry W. Hartsfield Jr., commander; Michael L. Coats, pilot; Judith A. Resnik, Steven A. Hawley and Richard M. (Mike) Mullane, all mission specialists; and Charles D. Walker, payload specialist. The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the forms of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, the change will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Banana River Creek VIP viewing area at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats speaks to media and spectators before the launch of space shuttle Atlantis on its STS-135 mission to the International Space Station. Seen also Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann (left), Kennedy Center Director Bob Cabana and Marshall Space Flight Center Director Robert Lightfoot. Atlantis with its crew of four; Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley, Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, lifted off at 11:29 a.m. EDT on July 8, 2011 to deliver the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module packed with supplies and spare parts for the International Space Station. Atlantis also will fly the Robotic Refueling Mission experiment that will investigate the potential for robotically refueling existing satellites in orbit. In addition, Atlantis will return with a failed ammonia pump module to help NASA better understand the failure mechanism and improve pump designs for future systems. STS-135 is the 33rd flight of Atlantis, the 37th shuttle mission to the space station, and the 135th and final mission of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Chad Baumer