HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim checks out the Dragon spacecraft under development by Space Exploration Technologies SpaceX of Hawthorne, Calif., for the agency's Commercial Crew Program. In 2011, NASA selected SpaceX during Commercial Crew Development Round 2 CCDev2) activities to mature the design and development of a crew transportation system with the overall goal of accelerating a United States-led capability to the International Space Station. The goal of CCP is to drive down the cost of space travel as well as open up space to more people than ever before by balancing industry’s own innovative capabilities with NASA's 50 years of human spaceflight experience. Six other aerospace companies also are maturing launch vehicle and spacecraft designs under CCDev2, including Alliant Techsystems Inc. ATK, The Boeing Co., Excalibur Almaz Inc., Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada, and United Launch Alliance ULA. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew. Image credit: Space Exploration Technologies

JSC2003-E-47248 (13 June 2003) --- Astronaut Rex J. Walheim, mission specialist.

STS-122 Mission Specialist, Rex Walheim, left, and Shuttle Launch Director, Michael D. Leinbach take a moment to watch the close out crew work on the space shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility, 9:07a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. completing delivery of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Astronaut Rex Walheim (center) speaks to members of the Mississippi House of Representatives in chambers during NASA Day at the Capitol in Jackson on Feb. 19. Walheim was joined at the podium by members of the Mississippi House of Representatives Gulf Coast delegation, as well as Stennis Space Center Director Gene Goldman (astronaut's immediate right) and NASA's Shared Services Center Director Rick Arbuthnot and Partners for Stennis Executive Director Tish Williams (astronaut's immediate left).

Astronaut Rex Walheim spoke at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 25, 2014 at the NASA Stage. The festival was open to the public on April 26 and 27, 2014 and was held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Astronaut Rex Walheim spoke at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 25, 2014 at the NASA Stage. The festival was open to the public on April 26 and 27, 2014 and was held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Astronaut Rex Walheim spoke at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 25, 2014. The festival was open to the public on April 26 and 27, 2014 and was held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

JSC2007-E-27720 (6 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rex J. Walheim, STS-122 mission specialist, dons a training version of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near Johnson Space Center.

JSC2011-E-024208 (1 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is pictured in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet prior to a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-024222 (1 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is pictured in the rear station of a NASA T-38 trainer jet prior to a flight at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

James Branson of United Space Alliance, far left; Sandra Magnus, STS-135 mission specialist and Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, far right, are seen in the Astrovan as they ride to launch pad 39A to board space shuttle Atlantis on Friday, July 8, 2011, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch of Atlantis, STS-135, is the final flight of the shuttle program, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jerry Ross)

JSC2010-E-181483 (27 Oct. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-181470 (27 Oct. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is about to be submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026871 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026863 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026867 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026887 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026869 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026880 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-017417 (16 Feb. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) training session in the Partial Gravity Simulator (POGO) test area in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus, mission specialist, looks on. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-181447 (27 Oct. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, gets help donning a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026866 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026896 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026902 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026868 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-181439 (27 Oct. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, dons a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026864 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim (right), STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026878 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026879 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026862 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026872 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-026885 (11 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit fit check in the Space Station Airlock Test Article (SSATA) in the Crew Systems Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-024187 (1 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Chris Ferguson (right), STS-135 commander; Rex Walheim (center), mission specialist; and Doug Hurley, pilot, are pictured in the check-out facility at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center prior to a flight in NASA T-38 trainer jets. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-017411 (16 Feb. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) training session in the Partial Gravity Simulator (POGO) test area in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA astronaut Rex Walheim (left background), mission specialist, looks on. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-017413 (16 Feb. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) training session in the Partial Gravity Simulator (POGO) test area in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center. NASA astronaut Sandy Magnus, mission specialist, looks on. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

201108160008hq (16 Aug. 2011) --- Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, salutes the crew of STS-135, seated from lower left, NASA astronauts Chris Ferguson, commander; Doug Hurley, pilot; Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both mission specialists, during their appearance for a taping of his television show, Aug. 16, 2011, in New York. The astronauts from STS-135 are in New York for a three-day visit. Photo credit: NASA/Paul E. Alers

Astronaut Rex Walheim spoke at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on April 25, 2014. The event was held to announce the winner of the Exploration Design Challenge. The goal of the Exploration Design Challenge was for students to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation.The winning team's design will be built and flown aboard the Orion/EFT-1. The USA Science and Engineering Festival takes place at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on April 26 and 27, 2014. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, center, talks about the construction around the site where the World Trade Center once stood to NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, right, and members of the STS-135 crew including commander Chris Ferguson, left, mission specialist Rex Walheim, second right, and pilot Doug Hurley, rear, as they tour the area, Wednesday evening, Aug. 18, 2011, in New York. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

The STS-135 crew, clockwise: Sandra Magnus, mission specialist; Rex Walheim, mission specialist; Chris Ferguson, commander and Doug Hurley, pilot are seen in the Astrovan as they ride to launch pad 39A to board space shuttle Atlantis on Friday, July 8, 2011, at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch of Atlantis, STS-135, is the final flight of the shuttle program, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jerry Ross)

JSC2011-E-029011 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (left) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructor Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029017 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (center) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructor Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029013 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (left) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructor Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029056 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (right) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructors John Ray (left foreground) and Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029042 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (second left) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructors John Ray (left foreground) and Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029044 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (left) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructors John Ray (right background) and Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029041 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (right) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructors John Ray (left foreground) and Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029027 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim (center) and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructor Art Thomason assisted Walheim and Magnus. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-029049 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim (foreground), STS-135 mission specialist, participates in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. EVA instructor Art Thomason assisted Walheim. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187233 (22 Nov. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187234 (22 Nov. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187231 (22 Nov. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187235 (22 Nov. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187210 (22 Nov. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, is about to be submerged in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. Divers (out of frame) are in the water to assist Walheim in his rehearsal, which is intended to help prepare him for work on the exterior of the International Space Station. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The STS-135 crew; Chris Ferguson, commander; Doug Hurley, pilot;, left, Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, both mission specialists are seen before boarding space shuttle Atlantis at launch pad 39A prior to launch, Friday, July 8, 2011 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch of Atlantis, STS-135, is the final flight of the shuttle program, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jerry Ross)

The STS-135 mission specialist Rex Walheim, left, Doug Hurley, pilot; second from left, Sandy Magnus, mission specialist; and Chris Ferguson, commander, right, stop and take a moment to look up at the space shuttle Atlantis prior to boarding at launch pad 39A, Friday, July 8, 2011 at the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The launch of Atlantis, STS-135, is the final flight of the shuttle program, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jerry Ross)

JSC2011-E-029038 (21 March 2011) --- NASA astronauts Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both STS-135 mission specialists, participate in an extravehicular activity (EVA) hardware training session in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187206 (22 Nov. 2010) --- Attired in a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit, NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, awaits the start of a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187202 (22 Nov. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, dons a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187200 (22 Nov. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, gets help donning a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187201 (22 Nov. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, gets help donning a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2010-E-187198 (22 Nov. 2010) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, gets help donning a training version of his Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in preparation for a spacewalk training session in the waters of the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) near NASA's Johnson Space Center. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA Chief, Astronaut Office, Johnson Space Center Peggy Whitson, center, STS-135 Astronauts, Rex Walheim, left, and Commander Chris Ferguson are seen as the entire crew plays a traditional card game at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Operations and Checkout Building prior to them leaving for the launch pad, on Friday, July 8, 2011 in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The point of the game is that the commander must use up all his or her bad luck before launch, so the crew can only leave for the pad after the commander loses. The launch of Atlantis, STS-135, is the final flight of the shuttle program, a 12-day mission to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Jerry Ross)

Stennis Space Center leaders and guests visit with Mississippi Senate members in chambers during NASA Day at the Capitol events in Jackson on Feb. 19. Standing at the Senate podium (rear) is Mississippi Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant. Standing at the lectern below are (l to r): Sen. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis; Partners for Stennis Chair Clay Wagner; NASA Shared Services Center Director Rick Arbuthnot; astronaut Rex Walheim; Stennis Space Center Director Gene Goldman; President Pro Tempore Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport; Sen. Ezell Lee, D-Picayune; and Sen. Tommy Gollott, R-Biloxi.

STS-135 Mission Specialist Rex Walheim walks under the space shuttle Atlantis shortly after he and the rest of the STS-135 crew landed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), completing a 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Overall, Atlantis spent 307 days in space and traveled nearly 126 million miles during its 33 flights. Atlantis, the fourth orbiter built, launched on its first mission on Oct. 3, 1985. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

STS-135 crew members Chris Ferguson, left, Douglas Hurley, second from left, Sandra Magnus, and Rex Walheim, right, pose for a group photograph atop of the Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) as the space shuttle Atlantis (STS-135) rolls out of High Bay 3 in the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39a for its final flight, Tuesday evening, May 31, 2011, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. The 3.4-mile trek, known as "rollout," will take about seven hours to complete. Atlantis will carry the Raffaello multipurpose logistics module to deliver supplies, logistics and spare parts to the International Space Station. The launch of STS-135 is targeted for July 8. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

Space shuttle Atlantis (STS-135) Commander Chris Furgeson, at podium, is flanked by his crew pilot Doug Hurley, right, and mission specialists Rex Walheim and Sandy Mangus, left, as he addresses employees and contractors gathered at a wheels stop event at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Thursday, July 21, 2011, in Cape Cape Canaveral, Fla. Atlantis returned to Kennedy early Thursday following a 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and marking the end of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program. Overall, Atlantis spent 307 days in space and traveled nearly 126 million miles during its 33 flights. Atlantis, the fourth orbiter built, launched on its first mission on Oct. 3, 1985. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

JSC2011-E-003204 (18 Jan. 2011) --- NASA astronauts Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist; and Mike Fossum (foreground), Expedition 28 flight engineer and Expedition 29 commander; use the virtual reality lab in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center to train for some of their duties aboard the space shuttle and space station. This type of computer interface, paired with virtual reality training hardware and software, helps to prepare crew members for dealing with space station elements. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-003207 (18 Jan. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, uses the virtual reality lab in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center to train for some of his duties aboard the space shuttle and space station. This type of computer interface, paired with virtual reality training hardware and software, helps to prepare crew members for dealing with space station elements. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JSC2011-E-003203 (18 Jan. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, STS-135 mission specialist, uses the virtual reality lab in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center to train for some of his duties aboard the space shuttle and space station. This type of computer interface, paired with virtual reality training hardware and software, helps to prepare crew members for dealing with space station elements. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston -- (JSC 597-04231) -- Official portrait: Rex J. Walheim, Mission Specialist

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston -- JSC2003-E-47248 -- Astronaut Rex J. Walheim, mission specialist

JSC2011-E-036274 (11 Feb. 2011) --- NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

Astronaut Rex Walheim meets students at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

JSC2011-E-003206 (18 Jan. 2011) --- NASA astronauts Ron Garan (left foreground), Expedition 27/28 flight engineer; Mike Fossum (second left), Expedition 28 flight engineer and Expedition 29 commander; Rex Walheim and Sandy Magnus, both STS-135 mission specialists, use the virtual reality lab in the Space Vehicle Mock-up Facility at NASA's Johnson Space Center to train for some of their duties aboard the space shuttle and space station. This type of computer interface, paired with virtual reality training hardware and software, helps to prepare crew members for dealing with space station elements. STS-135 is planned to be the final mission of the space shuttle program. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Photograph final space shuttle crew training session in the NBL with STS-135 Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus & Rex Walheim. STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson serves as Intravehicular suit-up lead, Pilot Doug Hurley serves as robotic arm operator. Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus & Rex Walheim in the water. Photo Date: June 13, 2011. Location: NBL - Pool Topside. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Photograph final space shuttle crew training session in the NBL with STS-135 Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus & Rex Walheim. STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson serves as Intravehicular suit-up lead, Pilot Doug Hurley serves as robotic arm operator. Mission Specialists Sandy Magnus & Rex Walheim in the water. Photo Date: June 13, 2011. Location: NBL - Pool Topside. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

S122-E-008923 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, performs work on the outside of the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this final period of STS-122 extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008727 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, closes one eye while focusing on an extravehicular activity task with the other. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this final spacewalk for the STS-122 Atlantis crew with Walheim.

S122-E-008950 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, works on the new Columbus laboratory's exterior during the STS-122 Atlantis crew's final scheduled spacewalk. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008954 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, works on the new Columbus laboratory's exterior during the STS-122 Atlantis crew's final scheduled spacewalk. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008764 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, holds onto a handrail on the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008922 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, performs work on the outside of the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this final period of STS-122 extravehicular activity with Walheim.

ISS016-E-029500 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, holds onto a handrail on the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008796 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, uses a power tool while installing a handrail on the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008916 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, performs work on the outside of the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this final period of STS-122 extravehicular activity with Walheim.

S122-E-008781 (15 Feb. 2008) --- Astronaut Rex Walheim, mission specialist, holds onto a handrail on the Columbus laboratory, the newest piece of hardware on the International Space Station. Astronaut Stanley Love (out of frame), mission specialist, shared this extravehicular activity with Walheim.

STS-135 Commander Chris Ferguson, right, talks to the media as NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, left, STS-135 Mission Specialists Rex Walheim, second from left, Sandy Magnus, third from left, and Pilot Doug Hurley look on shortly after the crew touched down in space shuttle Atlantis at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), completing its 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Overall, Atlantis spent 307 days in space and traveled nearly 126 million miles during its 33 flights. Atlantis, the fourth orbiter built, launched on its first mission on Oct. 3, 1985. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The STS-135 astronauts, from left, Mission Specialists Rex Walheim, Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley and Commander Chris Ferguson all pose for photographers shortly after they touched down in the space shuttle Atlantis at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), completing its 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Overall, Atlantis spent 307 days in space and traveled nearly 126 million miles during its 33 flights. Atlantis, the fourth orbiter built, launched on its first mission on Oct. 3, 1985. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The STS-135 astronauts, from left, Mission Specialists Rex Walheim, Sandy Magnus, Pilot Doug Hurley and Commander Chris Ferguson all pose for photographers shortly after they touched down in the space shuttle Atlantis at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF), completing its 13-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the final flight of the Space Shuttle Program, early Thursday morning, July 21, 2011, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Overall, Atlantis spent 307 days in space and traveled nearly 126 million miles during its 33 flights. Atlantis, the fourth orbiter built, launched on its first mission on Oct. 3, 1985. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The winner of the high school portion of the Exploration Design Challenge is announced at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Astronaut Rex Walheim talks with students. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

The winner of the high school portion of the Exploration Design Challenge is announced at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Astronaut Rex Walheim signs autographs for students. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

NASA astronaut Rex Walheim is lowered into the water to train for spacewalk in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, in Houston. ( NASA Photo / Houston Chronicle, Smiley N. Pool )

The winner of the high school portion of the Exploration Design Challenge is announced at the USA Science and Engineering Festival in Washington on April 25, 2014. Astronaut Rex Walheim is photographed with event participant. Part of Batch image transfer from Flickr.

At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA leaders spoke to social media participants as the Orion spacecraft and its Delta IV Heavy rocket were being prepared for launch. Speakers included NASA astronaut Rex Walheim.