
Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Clayton Turner, director of NASA's Langley Research Center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover is seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Clayton Turner, director of NASA's Langley Research Center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin is seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, asks a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, is seen during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools take pictures with an individual wearing a space suit as they view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Students from local schools view STEM exhibits during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Ed Dwight, America's first African American astronaut candidate, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Dr. Kevin Strait, curator of history, National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Audience members are seen as Don Graves, deputy secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Ed Dwight, America's first African American astronaut candidate, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Ed Dwight, America's first African American astronaut candidate, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Clayton Turner, director of NASA's Langley Research Center, left, Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, second from left, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, center, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, second from right, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, look on as retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Clayton Turner, director of NASA's Langley Research Center, left, Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, second from left, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, center, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, second from right, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

DJ Scientific, Mark Branch, speaks to students about the science behind the music during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

DJ Scientific, Mark Branch, speaks to students about the science behind the music during an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, and retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, right, answer questions during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, look on as retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, answers a question during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

NASA astronaut Victor Glover, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, center, and Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, right, are seen during a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Christopher Williams, STEM Education Specialist at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, left, retired NASA astronaut Leland Melvin, second from left, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, center, Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, second from right, and Clayton Turner, director of NASA's Langley Research Center, right, pose for a picture following a panel discussion titled A Space for Us All at an event celebrating Black History Month at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Dr. Quincy Brown, director of space STEM and workforce policy for the White House National Space Council, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jessica Watkins, NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Jessica Watkins, NASA astronaut, speaks on a panel at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Kelvin Coleman, associate administrator, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Victor Glover, NASA astronaut, speaks on a panel at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Joan Higginbotham, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Dr. Yvonne Cagle, NASA astronaut is seen while participating in a panel discussion at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Lt. General David Miller Jr., commander, Space Operations Command, answers a question at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Lt. General David Miller Jr., commander, Space Operations Command, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Don Graves, deputy secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Lt. General David Miller Jr., commander, Space Operations Command, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Dr. Yvonne Cagle, NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Dr. Yvonne Cagle, NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Leland Melvin, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Joylette Goble Hylick, daughter of Katherine Johnson, speaks to NASA astronaut Victor Glover at the conclusion of an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Lt. General David Miller Jr., commander, Space Operations Command, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Leland Melvin, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Victor Glover, NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Joan Higginbotham, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Don Graves, deputy secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Victor Glover, NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Joan Higginbotham, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Leland Melvin, retired NASA astronaut, speaks at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins speaks on a panel with NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Joan Higginbotham (retired), Dr. Yvonne Cagle, and Leland Melvin (retired), at an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

From left to right, NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Dr. Yvonne Cagle, America's first African American astronaut candidate, Ed Dwight, Joan Higginbotham (retired), Leland Melvin (retired) and Jessica Watkins pose for a photo at the conclusion of an event to commemorate Black Space Week (BSW) 2024 titled, "Beyond the Color Lines From Science Fiction to Science Fact," in the Oprah Winfrey Theater at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Monday, June 17, 2024 in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)