Astronauts Rick Sturckow (right) and Pat Forrester make a presentation Aug. 2 at NASA Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss., about their recent space shuttle mission, STS-117. Sturckow and Forrester thanked employees for the reliability and safe performance of the space shuttle's main engines, which are all tested and proved flight-worthy at SSC. The astronauts delivered a video of their mission's highlights, held a question-and-answer session, met one-on-one with employees and presented two Silver Snoopy awards during their visit. The STS-117 mission, which launched June 8, delivered a truss segment and a set of U.S. solar arrays, batteries and associated equipment to the International Space Station. Sturckow commanded the mission; Forrester was a mission specialist who performed two of STS-117's four spacewalks.

STS-128 commander Rick Sturckow speaks to the audience during a presentation in the auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

S117-E-07203 (13 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, uses a computer on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis during flight day six activities while docked with the International Space Station.

S117-E-07204 (13 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, uses a computer on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis during flight day six activities while docked with the International Space Station.

Members of the crew of STS-128, from left, Commander Rick Sturckow, mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, speak to the audience during a presentation in the auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Members of the crew of STS-128 seated from left, Commander Rick Sturckow, mission specialists Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez and Christer Fuglesang of the European Space Agency, speak to the audience during a presentation in the auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- S95-05777-- Astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, commander.

S95-05777 (15 Mar. 1995) --- Astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, commander.

S117-E-06669 (9 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, works with a plastic bag on the middeck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

S128-E-006483 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, drinks a beverage on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S117-E-06622 (9 June 2007) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Lee Archambault, STS-117 commander and pilot, respectively, look over procedures checklists on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

S128-E-008330 (7 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, poses for a photo with the growing collection, in the Unity node, of insignias representing crews who have worked on the International Space Station.

S128-E-006514 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, occupies the commander’s station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S128-E-006315 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, gives a “thumbs-up” signal while exercising on a bicycle ergometer on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery.

S117-E-06611 (9 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, looks over procedures checklists while seated at the commander's station on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

S128-E-009687 (8 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, gives a “thumbs-up” signal on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day 12 activities.

S128-E-007133 (31 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (left), STS-128 commander, and Jose Hernandez, mission specialist, work on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-006266 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, occupies the commander’s station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S117-E-06948 (10 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, aims binoculars through one of the overhead windows on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis as it approaches the International Space Station.

S128-E-006858 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, occupies the commander’s station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

S117-E-06625 (9 June 2007) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Lee Archambault, STS-117 commander and pilot, respectively, look over procedures checklists on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

JSC2006-E-51894 (30 Nov. 2006) --- Astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, STS-117 commander, prepares for a flight in a NASA T-38 trainer jet at Ellington Field near Johnson Space Center.

S128-E-006496 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, is pictured on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow gives a "thumbs up" after donning his orange launch and entry suit in the Operations and Checkout Building. STS-88 will be Sturckow’s first spaceflight. He and the five other STS-88 crew members will depart shortly for Launch Pad 39A where the Space Shuttle Endeavour is poised for liftoff on the first U.S. mission dedicated to the assembly of the International Space Station

JSC2006-E-32647 (3 Aug. 2006) --- While seated at the commander's station, astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, STS-117 commander, participates in a training session in the crew compartment trainer (CCT-2) in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. Sturckow is wearing a training version of his shuttle launch and landing suit.

STS105-E-5167 (13 August 2001) --- Astronauts James S. Voss (left) and Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow install the Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility experiment at the Express 1 rack aboard the Destiny laboratory. The installation is part of the hardware transfer operations that the station and shuttle crews are sharing. Voss has been serving as Expedition Two flight engineer on the International Space Station (ISS) for five months. Sturckow is the pilot for STS-105. The image was recorded with a digital still camera.

STS088-359-003 (4-15 Dec. 1998) --- Astronaut Frederick W. ?Rick? Sturckow, pilot, holds up a panel while putting final touches on the interior of Node 1 or Unity. Sturckow, who had been working with a battery-powered tool, was joined by other crew members in preparing the module for its International Space Station (ISS) duty.

JSC2006-E-32682 (3 Aug. 2006) --- Attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and landing suits, astronauts Patrick G. Forrester (left) and Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, STS-117 mission specialist and commander, respectively, participate in a training session in the high fidelity mockup/trainers in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at Johnson Space Center. Trainer Robert H. Tomaro assisted Forrester and Sturckow.

STS105-E-5283 (16 August 2001) --- Astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, STS-105 pilot, reviews a procedures checklist on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery which is currently docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

S128-E-007834 (6 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, works in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

STS088-306-020 (4-15 December 1998) --- Astronauts Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (top), pilot, and Jerry L. Ross, mission specialist, are ready for their sleep period in this middeck scene aboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Endeavour.

S128-E-007939 (7 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, adds his crew’s patch to the growing collection, in the Unity node, of insignias representing crews who have worked on the International Space Station.

S128-E-007889 (6 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (left), STS-128 commander; Nicole Stott, Expedition 20 flight engineer; and Tim Kopra, STS-128 mission specialist, pose for a photo on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-006516 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, holds a rendezvous procedure manual while occupying the commander’s station on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day two activities.

S117-E-09480 (17 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, gives a "thumbs-up" signal after placing the STS-117 mission insignia along with others in the Unity node of the International Space Station.

ISS003-E-5165 (17 August 2001) --- Astronauts Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow (left), STS-105 pilot, Daniel T. Barry and Patrick G. Forrester, both mission specialists, work on various tasks in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

S128-E-006313 (29 Aug. 2009) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, gives a “thumbs-up” signal while exercising on a bicycle ergometer on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery. Astronaut Nicole Stott, mission specialist, is visible at right.

S128-E-006857 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Kevin Ford, STS-128 commander and pilot, respectively, occupy their stations on the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day three activities.

ISS003-E-6201 (August 2001) --- Astronauts Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow (left), STS-105 pilot, and Patrick G. Forrester, mission specialist, exchange handshakes aboard the Unity node on the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

S128-E-007828 (6 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, works in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

S128-E-007940 (7 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, adds his crew’s patch to the growing collection, in the Unity node, of insignias representing crews who have worked on the International Space Station.

JSC2009-E-207807 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

S117-E-07050 (12 June 2007) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Jim Reilly, STS-117 commander and mission specialist, respectively, use a computer in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station during flight day five activities while Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked with the station.

S128-E-007472 (3 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (right) and Patrick Forrester, STS-128 commander and mission specialist, respectively, are pictured as they work on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station.

S128-E-007126 (31 Aug. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow (right), STS-128 commander, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Expedition 20 flight engineer, work in the Quest airlock of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

Pilot Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross, both members of the STS-88 crew, participate with technicians in the Crew Equipment Interface Test for that mission in KSC's Space Station Processing Facility. STS-88, the first International Space Station assembly flight, is targeted for launch in July 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour

ISS003-E-6185 (August 2001) --- Astronauts Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow (left), STS-105 pilot, and Scott J. Horowitz, mission commander, add their names to the ship’s log of visitors in the Unity node on the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

JSC2009-E-207841 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, is pictured at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center.

S128-E-007122 (31 Aug. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow (right), STS-128 commander, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, Expedition 20 flight engineer, look over a checklist in the Quest airlock of the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

STS105-E-5290 (16 August 2001) --- Astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, STS-105 pilot, reviews a procedures checklist on the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery which is currently docked to the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

S128-E-007498 (4 Sept. 2009) ---- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, is pictured at the commander's station on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery. The shuttle is currently docked with the International Space Station while the STS-128 astronauts work with the Expedition 20 crewmembers aboard the orbital outpost.

ISS015-E-11970 (12 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, poses for a photo in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station during flight day five activities while Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked with the station.

ISS015-E-12924 (12 June 2007) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, holds a camera near a hatch on the International Space Station during flight day five activities while Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked with the station.

STS088-342-034 (13 Dec. 1998) --- NASA astronaut James Newman (left), with NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, pilot, looking on, enjoys some beef jerky on the middeck while Endeavour was in Earth orbit. Photo credit: NASA

STS105-E-5187 (14 August 2001) --- Astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, STS-105 pilot, uses a camcorder to document supplies and hardware on the mid deck of the Space Shuttle Discovery, which is currently docked to the International Space Station (ISS). The image was recorded with a digital still camera.

JSC2009-E-207787 (12 Sept. 2009) --- Stephen Lindsey, chief of the astronaut office, greets NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, as the STS-128 crew members exit a Gulfstream aircraft prior to the crew return ceremonies at Ellington Field near NASA?s Johnson Space Center. Pictured behind Sturckow (front to back) are NASA astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot; Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez, both mission specialists. Crew members not pictured are NASA astronauts John ?Danny? Olivas and Tim Kopra; along with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, all mission specialists.

STS-88 Pilot Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow suits up in the Operations and Checkout Building, as part of flight crew equipment fit check, prior to his trip to Launch Pad 39A. He is helped by suit tech Terri McKinney. The crew are at KSC to participate in the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) which includes mission familiarization activities, emergency egress training, and the simulated main engine cut-off exercise. This is Sturckow's first space flight. Mission STS-88 is targeted for launch on Dec. 3, 1998. It is the first U.S. flight for the assembly of the International Space Station and will carry the Unity connecting module

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – STS-128 Commander Rick Sturckow sits in the Shuttle Training Aircraft cockpit at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Sturckow and Pilot Kevin Ford are ready to practice shuttle landings as preparation for space shuttle Discovery's launch Aug. 25 on the STS-128 mission. The 13-day mission will deliver a new crew member and 33,000 pounds of equipment to the International Space Station. The equipment includes science and storage racks, a freezer to store research samples, a new sleeping compartment and the COLBERT treadmill. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

STS117-S-051 (22 June 2007) --- NASA Dryden Flight Research Center director Kevin Petersen greets astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander, as the crewmembers exit NASA's Crew Transport Vehicle (CTV) after a successful landing at 12:49 p.m. (PDT) on June 22, 2007 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Following behind Sturckow are astronauts Lee Archambault, pilot; Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson and John "Danny" Olivas, all mission specialists. Not pictured is astronaut Jim Reilly, mission specialist.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-105 Pilot Rick Sturckow walks to a T-38 jet for a morning training flight. Sturckow and the STS-105 crew are preparing for launch on Aug. 9. On mission STS-105, Discovery will be transporting the Expedition Three crew and several payloads and scientific experiments to the Space Station. The Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) tank, which contains spare ammonia for the Station’s cooling system and will support the thermal control subsystems until a permanent system is activated, will be attached to the Station during two spacewalks. The three-member Expedition Two crew will be returning to Earth aboard Discovery after a five-month stay on the Station

ISS020-E-038338 (5 Sept. 2009) --- The STS-128 crewmembers found a few moments on a day between two spacewalk days to pose for some portraits on the International Space Station. Pictured on the front row, from the left, are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, both mission specialists. In the back, from left, are astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot, and John "Danny" Olivas, with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, both mission specialists.

JSC2010-E-046777 (5 April 2010) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) for the STS-131 mission, is pictured at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 launch.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In Orbiter Processing Facility 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-128 mission Commander Rick Sturckow checks out the cockpit window of space shuttle Discovery. The crew is at Kennedy for a crew equipment interface test, or CEIT, which provides hands-on training and observation of shuttle and flight hardware. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on Discovery. Launch is targeted for Aug. 7. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-128 crew members look over packages of equipment that will accompany the mission. At left are Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Jose Hernandez. At right are Commander Rick Sturckow (with the red cap) and on his left Mission Specialists Christer Fuglesang and John "Danny" Olivas. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

ISS020-E-037314 (1 Sept. 2009) --- This scene, showing the cabin of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station, was photographed by one of the space walking astronauts during the mission?s first session of extravehicular activity (EVA). Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, can be seen through a forward flight deck window.

JSC2009-E-207857 (12 Sept. 2009) --- NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) director Michael L. Coats addresses a large crowd of well-wishers at the STS-128 crew return ceremony on Sept. 12, 2009 at Ellington Field near JSC. Also pictured (from the second left) are NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander; Kevin Ford, pilot; Patrick Forrester, Jose Hernandez, John ?Danny? Olivas and European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, all mission specialists.

STS-88 crew members participate in the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) for that mission in KSC's Space Station Processing Facility. Discussing the mission are, from left to right, Pilot Rick Sturckow, Mission Specialists Jerry Ross and Nancy Currie, and Commander Bob Cabana. The CEIT gives astronauts an opportunity to get a hands-on look at the payloads with which they will be working on-orbit. STS-88, the first ISS assembly flight, is targeted for launch in July 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour

STS105-717-060 (17 August 2001) --- The four STS-105 crew members pose for the traditional in-flight crew portrait in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). Clockwise from left bottom, are Scott J. Horowitz and Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, commander and pilot, respectively; Patrick G. Forrester and Daniel T. Barry, both mission specialists.

JSC2010-E-046772 (5 April 2010) --- Astronauts George Zamka (left) and Rick Sturckow, both spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) for the STS-131 mission, are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 launch.

Pilot Rick Sturckow, left of center, and Mission Specialist Jerry Ross, right of center, participate in the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) for STS-88 in KSC's Space Station Processing Facility. The CEIT gives astronauts an opportunity to get a hands-on look at the payloads with which they will be working on-orbit. Here, the crew is inspecting electrical connections that will be used in assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). STS-88, the first ISS assembly flight, is targeted for launch in July 1998 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS117-S-002 -- These six astronauts take a break from traiing to pose for the STS-117 crew portrait. Scheduled to launch aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis are (from the left) astronauts James F. Reilly II and Steven R. Swanson, mission specialists; Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, commander; Lee J. Archambault, pilot; Patrick G. Forrester and John D. (Danny) Olivas, mission specialists. The crew members are attired in training versions of their shuttle launch and entry suits.

ISS003-E-5188 (17 August 2001) --- Astronaut James S. Voss, Expedition Two flight engineer, photographs astronauts Scott J. Horowitz (front left), STS-105 mission commander, Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, pilot, Daniel T. Barry (back left), and Patrick G. Forrester, both mission specialists, in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

ISS003-E-5186 (17 August 2001) --- Astronauts Scott J. Horowitz (bottom left), STS-105 mission commander, Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, pilot, Daniel T. Barry (top left), and Patrick G. Forrester, both mission specialists, pause from their daily activities to pose for this photo in the Destiny laboratory while visiting the International Space Station (ISS). This image was taken with a digital still camera.

STS088-370-006 (4-15 Dec. 1998) --- The STS-88 crew members pose for the traditional inflight crew portrait in the U.S.-built Unity connecting module. From left to right, bottom, are astronauts Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, pilot; Robert D. Cabana, mission commander; and Nancy J. Currie, mission specialist. Top row, cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, representing the Russian Space Agency, along with astronauts James H. Newman and Jerry L. Ross, all mission specialists.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-128 crew members look over packages of equipment that will accompany the mission. From left are Pilot Kevin Ford, Commander Rick Sturckow and Mission Specialists Christer Fuglesang and John "Danny" Olivas. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

STS088-329-025 (4-15 Dec. 1998) --- Astronauts Robert D. Cabana, commander (left), seated in the commanders station; Frederick W. “Rick” Sturckow, pilot (right), seated in the pilot’s station; and Nancy J. Currie, mission specialist, on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The three were involved with rendezvous operations with the Russian-built FGB Module (Zarya) at the time the photo was taken.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility, STS-128 crew members look over packages of equipment that will accompany the mission. At center (with the red cap) is Commander Rick Sturckow; to his left is Mission Specialist José Hernandez. The STS-128 flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station on space shuttle Discovery. Launch of Discovery is targeted for Aug. 6. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

S128-E-007008 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (right), STS-128 commander; and Patrick Forrester, mission specialist, are pictured near the hatch on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery after docking with the International Space Station. The two spacecraft docked at 7:54 p.m. (CDT), and the Discovery crew entered the orbital outpost at 9:59 p.m. (CDT) on Aug. 30.

S128-E-007468 (2 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (left) and Jose Hernandez, STS-128 commander and mission specialist, respectively, pose for a photo with an Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station.

STS088-319-019 (4 - 15 DECEMBER 1998) --- A planning session on Endeavour's middeck includes all but one of the crew members. From the left are astronaut Jerry L. Ross, cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, and astronauts Robert D. Cabana, James H. Newman and Nancy J. Currie. Missing from the scene is astronaut Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, who took the photo.

ISS015-E-11788 (10 June 2007) --- The STS-117 crewmembers pose for a portrait in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station shortly after Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the station. From the left (front row) are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander; Lee Archambault, pilot; and Patrick Forrester, mission specialist. From the left (back row) are astronauts John "Danny" Olivas, Clayton Anderson, Jim Reilly and Steven Swanson, all mission specialists.

S117-E-07229 (13 June 2007) --- Crewmembers on the International Space Station give a "thumbs-up" signal following a successful session of extravehicular activity (EVA) while Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked with the station. Pictured (from the left, clockwise) are astronauts Jim Reilly, John "Danny" Olivas, Steven Swanson, Sunita Williams, all STS-117 mission specialists; Clayton Anderson, Expedition 15 flight engineer; Patrick Forrester, STS-117 mission specialist; and Rick Sturckow, STS-117 commander.

S128-E-007010 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (bottom), STS-128 commander; John “Danny” Olivas (right) and Patrick Forrester, both mission specialists, are pictured near the hatch on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery after docking with the International Space Station. The two spacecraft docked at 7:54 p.m. (CDT), and the Discovery crew entered the orbital outpost at 9:59 p.m. (CDT) on Aug. 30.

JSC2010-E-046809 (5 April 2010) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (foreground) and George Zamka, both spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) for the STS-131 mission, are pictured in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 launch.

STS088-350-010 (4-15 Dec. 1998) --- STS-88 in-flight crew portrait taken on the Endeavour's middeck with a banner in the background which depicts the flags of all the international partners. From left to right are: Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow, pilot; Jerry L. Ross, James H. Newman and Nancy J. Currie, all mission specialists; Robert D. Cabana, mission commander; and Sergei K. Krikalev, mission specialist, representing the Russian Aviaiton and Space Agency (Rosaviakosmos).

ISS003-E-5190 (17 August 2001) --- The STS-105 crew members pause for this group photo in the Destiny laboratory on the International Space Station (ISS). Clockwise from bottom are, Scott J. Horowitz and Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, mission commander and pilot, respectively, Patrick G. Forrester and Daniel T. Barry, both mission specialists. This image was taken with a digital still camera.

STS117-S-052 (22 June 2007) --- The STS-117 crew poses in front of the Space Shuttle Atlantis after a successful landing at 12:49 p.m. (PDT) on June 22, 2007 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. From the left are astronauts Patrick Forrester, Steven Swanson, both mission specialists; Rick Sturckow, commander; Lee Archambault, pilot; John "Danny" Olivas and Jim Reilly, both mission specialists.

S128-E-009976 (8 Sept. 2009) --- European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang (center), NASA astronauts Jose Hernandez (left background), Tim Kopra (left mostly out of frame), all STS-128 mission specialists; along with Rick Sturckow, commander, are pictured on the flight deck of Space Shuttle Discovery during flight day 12 activities.

JSC2010-E-046802 (5 April 2010) --- An overall view of the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 launch. Visible in the foreground (from the left) are flight directors Tony Ceccacci and Bryan Lunney; along with astronauts Rick Sturckow and George Zamka, both spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM).

JSC2010-E-018976 (7 Feb. 2010) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-130 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM), is pictured at his console in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during the first launch attempt of the STS-130 mission. The launch was postponed until Feb. 8, due to weather conditions.

ISS015-E-11794 (10 June 2007) --- The STS-117 crewmembers pose for a portrait in the Destiny laboratory of the International Space Station shortly after Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the station. From the left (front row) are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander; Lee Archambault, pilot; and Patrick Forrester, mission specialist. From the left (back row) are astronauts John "Danny" Olivas, Clayton Anderson, Jim Reilly and Steven Swanson, all mission specialists.

JSC2010-E-019017 (8 Feb. 2010) --- Astronaut Rick Sturckow (left), STS-130 spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM); and flight director Norm Knight are pictured at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Endeavour's STS-130 launch. Flight directors Bryan Lunney (left) and Tony Ceccacci are visible in the background.

JSC2010-E-046808 (5 April 2010) --- Astronauts Rick Sturckow (foreground) and George Zamka, both spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM) for the STS-131 mission, watch the big screens in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center during launch countdown activities a few hundred miles away in Florida, site of space shuttle Discovery's STS-131 launch.

ISS020-E-037104 (31 Aug. 2009) --- NASA astronaut Rick Sturckow (right), STS-128 commander; along with European Space Agency astronauts Frank De Winne (left), Expedition 20 flight engineer; and Christer Fuglesang, STS-128 mission specialist, prepare to open the hatch that will lead into the temporarily installed Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the International Space Station.

ISS020-E-037312 (1 Sept. 2009) --- This scene, showing the cabin of Space Shuttle Discovery while docked with the International Space Station, was photographed by one of the space walking astronauts during the mission?s first session of extravehicular activity (EVA). Astronaut Rick Sturckow, STS-128 commander, can be seen through a forward flight deck window.

S128-E-007465 (2 Sept. 2009) --- NASA astronauts Rick Sturckow (foreground) and Jose Hernandez, STS-128 commander and mission specialist, respectively, work in the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), temporarily attached to the International Space Station while Space Shuttle Discovery remains docked with the station. An empty Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit floats nearby inside the module.

STS088-307-005 (4-15 December 1998) --- Astronauts James H. Newman (left) and Jerry L. Ross, both mission specialists, congratulate each other following one of their three extravehicular activities (EVA). The two had just doffed their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU) with the aid of astronaut Frederick W. "Rick" Sturckow (out of frame), pilot.

STS105-E-5198 (15 August 2001) --- Ten astronauts and cosmonauts dine in the Zvezda Service Module. Clockwise from lower left corner are Scott J. Horowitz, Frederick W. (Rick) Sturckow, Vladimir N. Dezhurov, Mikhail Tyurin, Susan J. Helms, Frank L. Culbertson, Yury V. Usachev, James S. Voss and Patrick G. Forrester. Daniel T. Barry is out of frame at lower right. Dezhurov, Tyurin and Usachev represent Rosaviakosmos. The image was recorded with a digital still camera.

JSC2010-E-018924 (7 Feb. 2010) --- Astronauts Steve Frick (left) and Rick Sturckow, both STS-130 spacecraft communicators (CAPCOM), monitor data at their consoles in the space shuttle flight control room in the Johnson Space Center's Mission Control Center as they anticipate the launch of STS-130. The launch attempt was later postponed until Feb. 8, due to weather conditions.

ISS020-E-038329 (5 Sept. 2009) --- The STS-128 crewmembers found a few moments on a day between two spacewalk days to pose for some portraits on the International Space Station. Pictured on the front row, from the left, are astronauts Rick Sturckow, commander, Jose Hernandez and Patrick Forrester, both mission specialists. In the back, from left, are astronauts Kevin Ford, pilot, and John "Danny" Olivas, with European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang, both mission specialists.