
Ray Lugo, director of the Florida Space Institute in Orlando and former director of NASA's Glenn Research Center, talks with Jody Singer, director of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Oct. 18 following his keynote address at Marshall's annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo moderates a panel discussion with Sen. John Glenn titled "Learning from the Past to Innovate for the Future" during a NASA Future Forum held at The Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Monday marked the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight as the first American to orbit Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo talks at an event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo, foreground, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and Sen. John Glenn, background, stand during the presentation of colors by the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, at the start of an event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo welcomes guest to an event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Dr. Ronald M. Berkman, CSU President gives remarks while former Astronaut Steve Lindsey, left, Sen. John Glenn, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, and NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo, seated right, look on at an event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Sen. John Glenn waves to a group of media and Twitter users as he takes the stage with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo, right, at a Tweetup event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, Sen. John Glenn, and NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo, right, answer questions at a NASA Tweetup event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, Sen. John Glenn, and NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo, right, answer questions at a NASA Tweetup event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

A pre-recorded message from International Space Station, Expedition 30 crew Commander Dan Burbank, on screen left, and Expedition 30 Flight Engineer Don Pettit is shown while former Astronaut Steve Lindsey, seated left, Sen. John Glenn, and NASA Glenn Research Director Ray Lugo look on at an event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Glenn Research Center Deupty Director James Free moderates a combined media briefing and NASA Tweetup with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, seated left, Sen. John Glenn, and NASA Glenn Research Center Director Ray Lugo, seated right, at an event celebrating John Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden surprises Sen. John Glenn, both seated on stage, with a live downlink from International Space Station Expedition 30 crew members Don Pettit, left on screen, Andre Kuipers, and Dan Burbank, right on screen, while Director of the NASA Glenn Research Center Ray Lugo moderates, during NASA's Future Forum at The Ohio State University on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio. Monday marked the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic flight as the first American to orbit Earth. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Launch Services Program Deputy Director Ray Lugo (center) shows off a certificate of appreciation he received for his leadership and enthusiasm in his role as chairperson of KSC's Combined Federal Campaign. From left are Center Director Jim Kennedy, Lugo and Deputy Director Woodrow Whitlow. The NASA civil service work force donated $434,627.40 in this year's campaign, the highest amount ever raised. The occasion was a holiday dinner and celebration at KARS Park I on Merritt Island, Fla., hosted by Center Director Jim Kennedy for NASA civil service employees. The theme of the celebration was "Launching Dreams of Those in Need." The event was sponsored by the Change Leaders Network and the Combined Federal Campaign Cabinet.

Sen. John Glenn answers questions as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, and NASA Glenn Research Center Ray Lugo look on at a NASA Tweetup event celebrating Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

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.

Sen. John Glenn answers questions at a NASA Tweetup event celebrating Glenn's legacy and 50 years of americans in orbit held at the Cleveland State University Wolstein Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth in 1962. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - An oversized $434,627.40 check represents the highest amount the NASA civil service work force has ever donated to the Combined Federal Campaign. Standing with the check, from left, are Center Director Jim Kennedy; Dennis Burns, United Way of Brevard, vice president of resource development; Frank Ramsey, United Way of Brevard campaign director; Rob Rains, United Way of Brevard president; and Launch Services Program deputy director Ray Lugo, who served as KSC's Combined Federal Campaign chairperson. The check was presented at a holiday dinner and celebration at KARS Park I on Merritt Island, Fla., hosted by Center Director Jim Kennedy for NASA civil service employees. The theme of the celebration was "Launching Dreams of Those in Need." The event was sponsored by the Change Leaders Network and the Combined Federal Campaign Cabinet.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Reporters (bottom) take notes during an informal briefing concerning NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, launched aboard an Air Force Titan IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Oct. 15, 1997. Cassini launch team members seen here discussed the challenge and experience of preparing Cassini for launch, integrating it with the Titan IV rocket and the countdown events of launch day. Facing the camera (from left) are Ron Gillett, NASA Safety and Lead Federal Agency official; Omar Baez, mechanical and propulsion systems engineer; Ray Lugo, NASA launch manager; Chuck Dovale, chief, Avionics Branch; George Haddad, Integration and Ground Systems mechanical engineer; and Ken Carr, Cassini assistant launch site support manager. Approximately 10:36 p.m. EDT, June 30, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft will arrive at Saturn. After nearly a seven-year journey, it will be the first mission to orbit Saturn. The international cooperative mission plans a four-year tour of Saturn, its rings, icy moons, magnetosphere, and Titan, the planet’s largest moon.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Reporters (left) take notes during an informal briefing concerning NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, launched aboard an Air Force Titan IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Oct. 15, 1997. Cassini launch team members at right discussed the challenge and experience of preparing Cassini for launch, integrating it with the Titan IV rocket and the countdown events of launch day. From left are Ron Gillett, NASA Safety and Lead Federal Agency official; Omar Baez, mechanical and propulsion systems engineer; Ray Lugo, NASA launch manager; Chuck Dovale, chief, Avionics Branch; George Haddad, Integration and Ground Systems mechanical engineer; and Ken Carr, Cassini assistant launch site support manager. Approximately 10:36 p.m. EDT, June 30, the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft will arrive at Saturn. After nearly a seven-year journey, it will be the first mission to orbit Saturn. The international cooperative mission plans a four-year tour of Saturn, its rings, icy moons, magnetosphere, and Titan, the planet’s largest moon.