
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, in yellow jacket, stands with participants from the NASA Social underneath the engines of the Saturn V rocket at the Apollo Saturn V visitor center, Thursday, May 18, 2012, at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. About 50 NASA Social followers attended an event as part of activities surrounding the launch of Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, demonstration mission of the company's Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

This is a view of the the first test flight of the Saturn V vehicle (SA-501) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch complex 39A, awaiting the scheduled launch on November 9, 1967. Designated as Apollo 4, this mission was the first launch of the Saturn V launch vehicle. Objectives of the unmanned Apollo 4 test flight were to obtain flight information on launch vehicle and spacecraft structural integrity and compatibility, flight loads, stage separation, and subsystems operation including testing of restart of the S-IVB stage, and to evaluate the Apollo command module heat shield.

Gerry Griffin, Apollo flight director, makes remarks during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, pressented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2019

NASA Kennedy Space Center Director and retired astronaut Bob Cabana delivers remarks during the Apollo 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Kennedy Space Center employees and guests gathered for a brief ceremony on Aug. 31, 2012 honoring Neil Armstrong, who died Aug. 25, 2012 at the age of 82. Armstrong was hailed by Center Director Bob Cabana as one of our heroes and a truly a great American. Cabana placed a wreath near a replica lunar module at the spaceport's Apollo-Saturn V Center. Selected as an astronaut in 1962, Neil Armstrong flew on NASA's Gemini 8 with David Scott in March 1966 and the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, with Mike Collins and Buzz Aldine in July 1969. On July 20, 1969, he became the first human to walk on the moon. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/neil_armstrong.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Kennedy Space Center employees and guests gathered for a brief ceremony on Aug. 31, 2012 honoring Neil Armstrong, who died Aug. 25, 2012 at the age of 82. Armstrong was hailed by Center Director Bob Cabana as one of our heroes and a truly a great American. Cabana placed a wreath in the spaceport's Apollo-Saturn V Center. Selected as an astronaut in 1962, Neil Armstrong flew on NASA's Gemini 8 with David Scott in March 1966 and the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, with Mike Collins and Buzz Aldine in July 1969. On July 20, 1969, he became the first human to walk on the moon. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/neil_armstrong.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Kennedy Space Center employees and guests gathered for a brief ceremony on Aug. 31, 2012 honoring Neil Armstrong, who died Aug. 25, 2012 at the age of 82. Armstrong was hailed by Center Director Bob Cabana as one of our heroes and a truly a great American. Cabana placed a wreath in the spaceport's Apollo-Saturn V Center. Selected as an astronaut in 1962, Neil Armstrong flew on NASA's Gemini 8 with David Scott in March 1966 and the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, with Mike Collins and Buzz Aldine in July 1969. On July 20, 1969, he became the first human to walk on the moon. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/neil_armstrong.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

David Thompson, founder, presdient and CEO of Orbital Sciences Corp. (later known as Orbital ATK), makes remarks after receiving the Innovation Award at the Apollo 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

During the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, on July 16, 2019, last year's space-themed constume contest winner, left, helps the announcer preent this year's winners their awards. The gala was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

David Thompson, founder, presdient and CEO of Orbital Sciences Corp. (later known as Orbital ATK), makes remarks after receiving the Innovation Award at the Apollo 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

Retired NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt, vice president, propulsion systems, with Northrop Grumman, delivers remarks during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2019.

Al Roker, NBC TODAY Show co-host and weatherman, serves as the emcee for the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2019.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana spoke to spaceport employees and guests at a brief ceremony on Aug. 31, 2012 honoring Neil Armstrong, who died Aug. 25, 2012 at the age of 82. Armstrong was hailed by Cabana as one of our heroes and a truly a great American. Cabana, also a former astronaut, placed a wreath near a replica lunar module at the spaceport's Apollo-Saturn V Center. Selected as an astronaut in 1962, Neil Armstrong flew on NASA's Gemini 8 with David Scott in March 1966 and the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11, with Mike Collins and Buzz Aldine in July 1969. On July 20, 1969, he became the first human to walk on the moon. For more information, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/neil_armstrong.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

This picture shows the Saturn V vehicle (AS-501), for the Apollo 4 mission on the Crawler Transporter Vehicle. It was rolled out from the Vehicle Assembly Building and slowly (1 mph) moved to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The Apollo 4 mission was the first launch of the Saturn V launch vehicle. Objectives of the unmanned Apollo 4 test flight were to obtain flight information on launch vehicle and spacecraft structural integrity and compatibility, flight loads, stage separation, and subsystems operation including testing of restart of the S-IVB stage, and to evaluate the Apollo command module heat shield. The Apollo 4 was launched on November 9, 1967 from KSC.

Gerry Griffin, Apollo flight director, left, presents the Pioneer Award to JoAnn Morgan, retired NASA engineer, during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Comples in Florida. Morgan was the first woman engineer on console at Kennedy Space Center and the only woman in the firing room during the Apollo 11 launch countdown and launch.

Andy Aldrin, son of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, introduces Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, during the Apollo 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman. The event was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019.

This is a view of the the first test flight of the Saturn V vehicle (SA-501) at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) launch complex 39A. The thrust chambers of the first stage's five engines extend into the 45-foot-square hole in the mobile launcher platform. Until liftoff, the flames impinged downward onto a flame deflector that diverted the blast lengthwise in the flame trench. Here, a flame deflector, coated with a black ceramic, is in place below the opening, while a yellow (uncoated) spare deflector rests on its track in the background. It took a tremendous flow of water (28,000 gallons per minute) to cool the flame deflector and trench. The Apollo 4 was launched on November 9, 1967 from KSC.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to guests in the Apollo-Saturn V Center at the spaceport's visitor complex on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. The ceremony is honoring the memory of former NASA astronaut Alan Bean. As lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, Bean was the fourth person to walk on the Moon in November 1969. He went on to command the 59-day Skylab 3 mission in 1973. He died in Houston on May 26, 2018, at the age of 86.

A memorial wreath placed in the Apollo-Saturn V Center of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, honors former NASA astronaut Alan Bean. He was the fourth person to walk on the Moon as lunar module pilot on Apollo 12 in November 1969. He went on to command the 59-day Skylab 3 mission in 1973. He died in Houston on May 26, 2018, at the age of 86.

Therrin Protze, COO at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, speaks in the Apollo-Saturn V Center during a ceremony on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, honoring former NASA astronaut Alan Bean. As lunar module pilot on Apollo 12, Bean was the fourth person to walk on the Moon in November 1969. He went on to command the 59-day Skylab 3 mission in 1973. He died in Houston on May 26, 2018, at the age of 86.

A memorial wreath placed in the Apollo-Saturn V Center of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, honors former NASA astronaut Alan Bean. He was the fourth person to walk on the Moon as lunar module pilot on Apollo 12 in November 1969. He went on to command the 59-day Skylab 3 mission in 1973. In the background is a large mural of a painting by Bean who became an accomplished artist after leaving NASA. He died in Houston on May 26, 2018, at the age of 86.

From left, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Anne McClain, Matthew Dominick, and Jessica Watkins pose inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The five are among the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon, announced by Vice President Mike Pence during a meeting of the National Space Council inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

JoAnn Morgan, retired NASA engineer, makes remarks after receiving the Pioneer Award during the Apollo 11 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Morgan was the first woman engineer on console at Kennedy Space Center and the only woman in the firing room during the Apollo 11 launch countdown and launch.

Members of the news media assemble to cover a ceremony on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, during which a memorial wreath is placed in the Apollo-Saturn V Center of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex honoring former NASA astronaut Alan Bean. In the background is a large mural of a painting by Alan Bean who became an accomplished artist after leaving NASA. Bean was the fourth person to walk on the Moon as lunar module pilot on Apollo 12 in November 1969. He went on to command the 59-day Skylab 3 mission in 1973. He died in Houston on May 26, 2018, at the age of 86.

June Scobee Rodgers receives the Education Award during the Apollo 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019. Scobbee Rodgers is the founding chairman of the Challenger Center for Space Science Education, established in 1986 following the Space Shuttle Challenger accident to continue the legacy of the Challenger crew.

Michael Collins; right; Apollo 11 astronaut; presents the Innovation Award to David Thompson; left; founder; president and CEO of Orbital Sciences Corp (later known as Orbital ATK); during the Apollo 50th Gala on July 16; 2019. The event; presented by Northrop Grumman; was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Comples in Florida. In the center at the podium is Andy Aldrin; son of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir speaks to members of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. On stage with Meir, from left, are fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Jessica Watkins, Matthew Dominick, and Anne McClain. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

From left, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Jessica Watkins, Matthew Dominick, and Anne McClain, along with NASA Communications’ Derrol Nail, listen to a question from a member of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

From left, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Jessica Watkins, Matthew Dominick, and Anne McClain, along with NASA Communications’ Derrol Nail, listen to a question from a member of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins speaks to members of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Colorado native, Watkins was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. She was joined at the event by fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, and Anne McClain. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

The National Space Council meets inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

The National Space Council meets inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

The 2017 class of astronaut candidates are inside the Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The candidates toured center facilities, including the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay; the Launch Control Center, Launch Pad 39B, and the Vehicle Assembly Building. They also toured Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Facility, United Launch Alliance's Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and SpaceX's Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy. The candidates will spend about two years getting to know the space station systems and learning how to spacewalk, speak Russian, control the International Space Station's robotic arm and fly T-38s, before they're eligible to be assigned to a mission.

The 2017 class of astronaut candidates are inside the Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The candidates toured center facilities, including the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay; the Launch Control Center, Launch Pad 39B, and the Vehicle Assembly Building. They also toured Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Facility, United Launch Alliance's Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and SpaceX's Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy. The candidates will spend about two years getting to know the space station systems and learning how to spacewalk, speak Russian, control the International Space Station's robotic arm and fly T-38s, before they're eligible to be assigned to a mission.

The 2017 class of astronaut candidates are inside the Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex near NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The candidates toured center facilities, including the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building high bay; the Launch Control Center, Launch Pad 39B, and the Vehicle Assembly Building. They also toured Boeing's Commercial Crew and Cargo Facility, United Launch Alliance's Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and SpaceX's Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy. The candidates will spend about two years getting to know the space station systems and learning how to spacewalk, speak Russian, control the International Space Station's robotic arm and fly T-38s, before they're eligible to be assigned to a mission.

Physicist Brian Cox serves as the moderator for a panel discussion with Apollo astronauts during the Apollo 11 50th Gala on July 16, 2019. The gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. From left, are Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweichart, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and Apollo Flight Director Gerry Griffin.

Retired NASA astronauts participate in a panel discussion during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, presented by Northrop Grumman, on July 16, 2019. The gala was held inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. From left, are Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and Apollo Flight Director Gerry Griffin.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir speaks to members of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Maine native, Meir was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and has spent 205 days in space on one previous flight. She was joined at the event by fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Matthew Dominick, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Anne McClain speaks to members of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A native of the state of Washington, McClain was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and has spent 204 days in space on one previous flight. She was joined at the event by fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, and Jessica Watkins. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, second from right, listens to a question from a member of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Colorado native, Dominick was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. He was joined at the event by fellow astronauts, from left, Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Jessica Watkins, and Anne McClain. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, second from right, speaks to members of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Colorado native, Dominick was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. He was joined at the event by fellow astronauts, from left, Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Jessica Watkins, and Anne McClain. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba speaks to members of the news media during a question-and-answer session Dec. 9, 2020, following a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A California native, Acaba was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004 and has logged a total of 306 days in space on three flights. He was joined at the event by fellow astronauts Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick waves during an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that he is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Colorado native, Dominick was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. Joining him at the event were fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Jessica Meir, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

Vice President Mike Pence introduces NASA astronauts, from left, Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Anne McClain, Matthew Dominick, and Jessica Watkins, during a meeting of the National Space Council inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. Meir, Acaba, McClain, Dominick, and Watkins are among the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick attends an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that he is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Colorado native, Dominick was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017. Joining him at the event were fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Jessica Meir, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks during the National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

From left, Chad Wolf, acting secretary of Homeland Security, and Dan Brouillette, Secretary of Energy, attend a meeting of the National Space Council inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy, and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

Vice President Mike Pence introduces NASA astronauts, from left, Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Anne McClain, Matthew Dominick, and Jessica Watkins, during a meeting of the National Space Council inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. Meir, Acaba, McClain, Dominick, and Watkins are among the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

From left, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Joseph Acaba, Anne McClain, Matthew Dominick, and Jessica Watkins are introduced during a National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The five are among an initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Vice President Mike Pence, who chaired the meeting, introduced the astronauts. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine speaks during the National Space Council meeting inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana attends a meeting of the National Space Council inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. Vice President Mike Pence chaired the meeting, at which he announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

Vice President Mike Pence listens during a meeting of the National Space Council inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on Dec. 9, 2020. The council's role is to advise the president regarding national space policy and strategy and to review the nation's long-range goals for space activities. At the close of the meeting, Pence announced the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

A panel discussion with Apollo astronauts took place during the Apollo 11 50th Gala, present by Northop Grumman, inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on July 16, 2019. From left, are Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, and Apollo Flight Director Gerry Griffin.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir attends an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that she is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Maine native, Meir was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and has spent 205 days in space on one previous flight. Joining her at the event were fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Matthew Dominick, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba waves during an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that he is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A California native, Acaba was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004 and has logged a total of 306 days in space on three flights. Joining him at the event were fellow astronauts Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Joseph Acaba attends an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that he is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A California native, Acaba was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004 and has logged a total of 306 days in space on three flights. Joining him at the event were fellow astronauts Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, Anne McClain, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Anne McClain attends an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that she is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Washington native, McClain was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and has spent 204 days in space on one previous flight. Joining her at the event were fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

NASA astronaut Anne McClain waves during an announcement Dec. 9, 2020, that she is one of the initial team of 18 astronauts eligible for early Artemis missions on and around the Moon. A Washington native, McClain was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2013 and has spent 204 days in space on one previous flight. Joining her at the event were fellow astronauts Joseph Acaba, Matthew Dominick, Jessica Meir, and Jessica Watkins. Vice President Mike Pence made the announcement at the close of a National Space Council meeting he chaired in the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Under the Artemis program, NASA will land the first woman and the next man on the Moon in 2024.

This is a good cutaway diagram of the Saturn V launch vehicle showing the three stages, the instrument unit, and the Apollo spacecraft. The chart on the right presents the basic technical data in clear metric detail. The Saturn V is the largest and most powerful launch vehicle in the United States. The towering, 111 meter, Saturn V was a multistage, multiengine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams. Development of the Saturn V was the responsibility of the Marshall Space Flight Center at Huntsville, Alabama, directed by Dr. Wernher von Braun.

A J-2 engine undergoes static firing. The J-2, developed under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was propelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. A single J-2 was utilized in the S-IVB stage (the second stage for the Saturn IB and third stage for the Saturn V) and in a cluster of five for the second stage (S-II) of the Saturn V. Initially rated at 200,000 pounds of thrust, the engine was later uprated in the Saturn V program to 230,000 pounds.

Pictured is a J-2 engine being processed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). A single J-2 engine was utilized on the S-IVB stage, the second stage of the Saturn IB and the third stage of the Saturn V vehicles, while a cluster of five J-2 engines powered the second (S-II) stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle. The Saturn V was designed, developed, and tested by engineers at MSFC.

This image depicts the test firing of a J-2 engine in the S-IVB Test Stand at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The J-2, developed by Rocketdyne under the direction of MSFC, was propelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. A single J-2 was utilized in the S-IVB stage (the second stage for the Saturn IB and third stage for the Saturn V) and in a cluster of five for the second stage (S-II) of the Saturn V. Initially rated at 200,000 pounds of thrust, the engine was later upgraded in the Saturn V program to 230,000 pounds.

Pictured is a J-2 engine being processed at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). A single J-2 engine was utilized on the S-IVB stage, the second stage of the Saturn IB and the third stage of the Saturn V vehicles, while a cluster of five J-2 engines powered the second (S-II) stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle. The Saturn V was designed, developed, and tested by engineers at MSFC.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The University of Alabama Team Astrobotics received the Efficient Use of Communications Power Award. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Kurt Leucht, a NASA engineer in Swamp Works and event emcee. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The team from The University of Akron received third place for their Systems Engineering Paper. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Jonette Stecklein, lead systems engineering paper judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The University of Alabama Team Astrobotics received third place in the Slide Presentation and Demonstration award category. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Daniel Hull, lead presentation judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The team from Kent State University received third place in the On-Site Mining Award. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Rob Mueller, lead mining judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The University of Alabama Team Astrobotics received first place in the On-Site Mining Award. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Rob Mueller, lead mining judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.
This photograph shows the Saturn V assembled LOX (Liquid Oxygen) and fuel tanks ready for transport from the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The tanks were then shipped to the launch site at Kennedy Space Center for a flight. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

Saturn 501 - Apollo Saturn V liftoff from Complex 39A at 7 a.m. 9 November 1967 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Dr. von Braun pauses in front of the Saturn V vehicle being readied for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The Saturn V vehicle was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) under the direction of Dr. von Braun.

Dr. von Braun pauses in front of the Saturn V vehicle being readied for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The Saturn V vehicle was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) under the direction of Dr. von Braun.

Dr. von Braun pauses in front of the Saturn V vehicle being readied for the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The Saturn V vehicle was developed by the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) under the direction of Dr. von Braun.

This small group of unidentified officials is dwarfed by the gigantic size of the Saturn V first stage (S-1C) at the shipping area of the Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

This vintage photograph shows the 138-foot long first stage of the Saturn V being lowered to the ground following a successful static test firing at Marshall Space flight Center's S-1C test stand. The firing provided NASA engineers information on the booster's systems. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

The powerful J-2 engine is prominent in this photograph of a Saturn V Third Stage (S-IVB) resting on a transporter in the Manufacturing Facility at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

Searchlights penetrate the darkness surrounding Apollo 8 on Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center. This mission was the first manned flight using the Saturn V. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.
This Saturn V S-II (second) stage is being lifted into position for a test at the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. When the Saturn V booster stage (S-IC) burned out and dropped away, power for the Saturn was provided by the 82-foot-long and 33-foot-diameter S-II stage. Developed by the Space Division of North American Aviation under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the stage utilized five J-2 engines, each producing 200,000 pounds of thrust. The engines used liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen as propellants. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multi-stage, multi-engine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

This cutaway drawing shows the S-IVB (third stage) of the Saturn V launch vehicle. As a part of the Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) “building block” approach to the Saturn development, the S-IVB stage was utilized in the Saturn IB launch vehicle as a second stage and, later, the Saturn V launch vehicle as a third stage. The 59 foot long and 22 feet diameter stage was powered by a single J-2 engine, initially capable of 200,000 pounds of thrust.

The second Saturn V launch vehicle (SA-502) for the Apollo 6 mission lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center launch complex on April 4, 1968. This unmanned Saturn V launch vehicle tested the emergency detection system in closed loop configuration.

Overall view at JSC lookin west from atop of Bldg. 1 showing rockets, parking lot and all threee stages of Saturn V. first stage of Saturn V exhibit in "Rocket Park" on west side of center little joe and mercury models are seen 1. JSC- Aerials

Workmen inspect a J-2 engine at Rocketdyne's Canoga Park, California production facility. The J-2, developed under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, was propelled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. A single J-2 engine was used in the S-IVB stage (the second stage of the Saturn IB and third stage for the Saturn V) and a cluster of five J-2 engines was used to propel the second stage of the Saturn V, the S-II. Initially rated at 200,000 pounds of thrust, the J-2 engine was later uprated in the Saturn V program to 230,000 pounds.

The flame and exhaust from the test firing of an F-1 engine blast out from the Saturn S-IB Static Test Stand in the east test area of the Marshall Space Flight Center. A Cluster of five F-1 engines, located in the S-IC (first) stage of the Saturn V vehicle, provided over 7,500,000 pounds of thrust to launch the giant rocket. The towering 363-foot Saturn V was a multistage, multiengine launch vehicle standing taller than the Statue of Liberty. Altogether, the Saturn V engines produced as much power as 85 Hoover Dams.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Apollo/Saturn V Center Gala Grand Opening

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Apollo/Saturn V Center Gala Grand Opening

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Apollo/Saturn V Center Gala Grand Openin

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Apollo/Saturn V Center Gala Grand Opening

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Apollo/Saturn V Center Gala Grand Opening

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – As seen on Google Maps, the massive F-1 engines of the Saturn V's first stage on display inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Each engine stands 19 feet tall with a diameter of more than 12 feet. The five engines on the first stage produced 7.5 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. The Saturn V was used to launch NASA's Apollo missions to the moon which saw 12 astronauts land and work on the lunar surface. Google precisely mapped Kennedy Space Center and some of its historical facilities for the company's map page. Photo credit: Google/Wendy Wang

PROPOSED LOCATION FOR MSFC MEMORIAL BRICKS AT BASE OF SATURN V ROCKET AT USSRC/DAVIDSON CENTER

Apollo/Saturn Program: In January 1962, NASA initiated development of the large launch vehicle for the Project Apollo manned lunar flights. The Saturn V configuration comprised the S-IC first stage, the S-II second stage and the S-IVB third stage, all integrated and stacked in the Vehicle Assembly Building. The first manned Apollo spacecraft launched on the mighty Saturn V was Apollo 8 on December 21, 1968. Poster designed by Kennedy Space Center Graphics Department/Greg Lee. Credit: NASA

The Apollo/Saturn 501 spacecraft undergoes checkout in test stand within the Kennedy Space Center’s Manned Spacecraft Operations Building in preparation for the first flight of NASA’s Saturn V space vehicle in the second quarter of this year. The command module, top, was mated to the service module, and both were joined to the Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter, the type that eventually will house a Lunar Module. The first Saturn V flight will be unmanned.

This cutaway illustration shows the Saturn V S-II (second) stage with callouts of major components. When the Saturn V first stage burns out and drops away, power for the Saturn was provided by the S-II (second) stage with five J-2 engines which produced a total of 1,150,000 pounds of thrust. Four outer engines are placed in a square pattern with gimbaling capability for control and guidance, with the fifth engine fixed rigidly in the center.

A sunrise at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on June 21, from the Saturn V center at nearby Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

A close-up view of the F-1 Engine for the Saturn V S-IC (first) stage depicts the complexity of the engine. Developed by Rocketdyne under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the F-1 engine was utilized in a cluster of five engines to propel the Saturn V's first stage, the S-IC. Liquid oxygen and kerosene were used as its propellant. Initially rated at 1,500,000 pounds of thrust, the engine was later uprated to 1,522,000 pounds of thrust after the third Saturn V launch (Apollo 8, the first marned Saturn V mission) in December 1968. The cluster of five F-1 engines burned over 15 tons of propellant per second, during its two and one-half minutes of operation, to take the vehicle to a height of about 36 miles and to a speed of about 6,000 miles per hour.

This close-up view of the F-1 engine for the Saturn V S-IC (first) stage shows the engine's complexity, and also its large size as it dwarfs the technician. Developed by Rocketdyne, under the direction of the Marshall Space Flight Center, the F-1 engine was utilized in a cluster of five engines to propel the Saturn V's first stage, the S-IC. Liquid oxygen and kerosene were used as its propellant. Initially rated at 1,500,000 pounds of thrust, the engine was later uprated to 1,522,000 pounds of thrust after the third Saturn V launch (Apollo 8, the first marned Saturn V mission) in December 1968. The cluster of five F-1 engines burned over 15 tons of propellant per second, during its two and one-half minutes of operation, to take the vehicle to a height of about 36 miles and to a speed of about 6,000 miles per hour.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The University of Alabama Team Astrobotics received first place in the Outreach Project category. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Bethanne Hull, NASA Education specialist and lead Outreach Project judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Team Northstar Robotics from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities received the Golden E-Stop Award for their robot's safety system. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Daniel Hull, lead presentation judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The team from Case Western Reserve University received second place for their Systems Engineering Paper. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Jonette Stecklein, lead systems engineering paper judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.

NASA's 9th Annual Robotic Mining Competition concludes with an awards ceremony May 18, 2018, at the Apollo/Saturn V Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The team from Iowa State University received second place in the Outreach Project category. At left is retired NASA astronaut Jerry Ross. At right is Bethanne Hull, NASA Education specialist and lead Outreach Project judge. More than 40 student teams from colleges and universities around the U.S. participated in the competition, May 14-18, by using their mining robots to dig in a supersized sandbox filled with BP-1, or simulated lunar soil, gravel and rocks, and participate in other competition requirements. The Robotic Mining Competition is a NASA Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate project designed to encourage students in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM fields. The project provides a competitive environment to foster innovative ideas and solutions that could be used on NASA's deep space missions.