KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the KSC television studio, KSC management and other employees applaud President George W. Bush, who addressed the public and an assembly of government officials at NASA Headquarters as he outlined a new focus and vision for the space agency. Seated in the front row, left to right, are Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, United Space Alliance (USA) ; Howard DeCastro, vice president and Space Shuttle program manager, USA; Shannon Roberts, with External Affairs; Woodrow Whitlow, KSC deputy director; Bruce Buckingham, assistant to Dr. Whitlow; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs; Ken Aguilar, chief, Equal Opportunity office; and Cheryl Cox, External Affairs. The President stated his goals for NASA’s new mission: Completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Mike Rein (at left), division chief of KSC External Affairs, moderates the press conference featuring (second from left to right) U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney, Center Director Jim Kennedy and U.S. Rep. Dave Weldon. The media were interested in hearing Kennedy’s and the congressmen’s reactions to the new mission for NASA outlined by President George W. Bush Jan. 14.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- KSC management and other employees gather in the Center’s television studio to watch the address by President George W. Bush from NASA Headquarters stating his goals for NASA’s new mission. Seated in the front row, left to right, are Ken Aguilar, chief, Equal Opportunity office; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs; Bruce Buckingham, assistant to Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, KSC deputy director; Dr. Whitlow; Shannon Roberts, with External Affairs; Howard DeCastro, vice president and Space Shuttle program manager, United Space Alliance; and Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, USA. The President’s goals are completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- In the KSC television studio, KSC management and other employees applaud President George W. Bush, who addressed the public and an assembly of government officials at NASA Headquarters as he outlined a new focus and vision for the space agency. Seated in the front row, left to right, are Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, United Space Alliance (USA) ; Howard DeCastro, vice president and Space Shuttle program manager, USA; Shannon Roberts, with External Affairs; Woodrow Whitlow, KSC deputy director; Bruce Buckingham, assistant to Dr. Whitlow; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs; and Ken Aguilar, chief, Equal Opportunity office. The President stated his goals for NASA’s new mission: Completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- From the KSC television studio, KSC management and other employees applaud President George W. Bush, who addressed the public and an assembly of government officials at NASA Headquarters as he outlined a new focus and vision for the space agency. Shown from left are Mike Leinbach, Shuttle launch director; David Culp, with NASA; Steve Francois, director, Launch Services Program; Richard Cota, deputy chief financial officer, KSC; Bill Pickavance vice president and associate program manager of Florida Operations, United Space Alliance (USA) ; Howard DeCastro, vice president and Space Shuttle program manager, USA; Shannon Roberts, with External Affairs; Woodrow Whitlow, KSC deputy director; Bruce Buckingham, assistant to Dr. Whitlow; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs; Ken Aguilar, chief, Equal Opportunity office; and Cheryl Cox, External Affairs. The President stated his goals for NASA’s new mission: Completing the International Space Station, retiring the Space Shuttle orbiters, developing a new crew exploration vehicle, and returning to the moon and beyond within the next two decades. Pres. Bush was welcomed by NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe and Expedition 8 Commander Michael Foale, who greeted him from the International Space Station. Members of the Washington, D.C., audience included astronauts Eileen Collins, Ed Lu and Michael Lopez-Alegria, and former astronaut Gene Cernan

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Director of External Affairs and Business Development JoAnn H. Morgan greets former President Jimmy Carter on his visit to Kennedy Space Center. At far left is Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. Carter and former First Lady Rosalyn Carter are touring KSC

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter, former first lady and U.S. President , talk with Center Director Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Director of External Affairs and Business Development JoAnn H. Morgan. The Carters are touring Kennedy Space Center

Stennis Space Center visited three Mississippi communities Sept. 11-13, offering interactive and space-related exhibits and presentations to visitors in Grenada, Oxford and Tupelo. In Grenada on Sept. 12, Stennis Office of External Affairs Manager Pam Covington spoke to a student assembly at Grenada Upper Elementary School.

Bart Gaetjens, Florida Power & Light's FPL area external affairs manager, addresses the news media and NASA Social about the new Thermal Energy Storage (TES) tank Feb. 17. The TES tank works like a giant battery and is saving the center utility cost. These savings will be applied to new sustainable projects at Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - The 40th anniversary celebration of American spaceflight was capped with a dinner held at the KSC Apollo_Saturn V Center. Former astronaut Jim Lovell (left), who hosted the event, talks with JoAnn H. Morgan (next to Lovell) and other guests. Morgan is director of External Affairs and Business Development at KSC.

Bart Gaetjens, Florida Power & Light's FPL area external affairs manager, addresses the news media and NASA Social about the new Thermal Energy Storage (TES) tank Feb. 17. The TES tank works like a giant battery and is saving the center utility cost. These savings will be applied to new sustainable projects at Kennedy.

Pat Gaspard, a visitor relations specialist with NASA's StenniSphere visitor center, speaks to Mississippi Valley State University students. Gaspard spoke July 15 during Stennis Space Center's three-day educational outreach program at the college.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA and government officials are gathered to hear about the assets of the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando, as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Seated at right are Lisa Malone, director of KSC External Affairs, and Joel Wells, with the Government Relations Office. Fourth from right is Jim Jennings, NASA deputy associate administrator for institutions and asset management. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for the center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus.

A Stennis Space Center employee talks to young people gathered for a NASA outreach activity at the Boys and Girls Club in Yazoo City, Miss., on June 5, 2012. The Stennis Office of External Affairs hosted outreach activities during a farmers' market in Canton on June 2 prior to visiting Yazoo City. In each instance, visitors were able to collect information about NASA, rocket engine testing and other work at Stennis.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Lisa Malone, division chief, External Affairs and Business Development, and Sean O’Keefe, NASA administrator, listen to a query from the media during a post-launch conference. Malone moderated the conference. O’Keefe was at KSC for the launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-110 to the International Space Station. The launch occurred at 4:44:19 p.m EDT (20:44:19 GMT)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Vice President George H.W. Bush, center left, is welcomed to KSC's Shuttle Landing facility. At the Center for the Spacelab Arrival Ceremony, the vice president is greeted by, from left, Center Director Richard G. Smith; Mrs. Smith; U.S. Rep. Ronnie Flippo, D-Ala.; an Robert Allnut, director of external affairs for NASA Headquarters. In the welcoming party but not pictured was U.S. Rep. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

Janice Hahn, Councilwoman, District 15, City of Los Angeles visits NASA Ames Research Center. Associate Director Steve Zornetzer and Center Director S. Pete Worden meet with .Janice Hahn, Councilwoman, District 15, City of Los Angeles, Jenny Chavez, Staffer for Councilwoman Hahn, Walter Zifkin, Commissioner, Los Angles International Airport, Michael Molina, Chief of External Affairs, LAWA, Jaideep Vaswani. Chief of Airport Planning, LAWA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe talks to the media at the Central Florida Research Park, near Orlando. He and government officials were at the park for a presentation about the assets of the research park as the site of NASA’s new Shared Services Center. Behind O’Keefe are (left to right) Pamella J. Dana, Ph.D., director, Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development in Florida; Florida Congressman Tom Feeney; U.S. Representative Ric Keller; and Congressman Dave Weldon. At right is Mike Rein, division chief of KSC External Affairs. Six sites around the U.S. are under consideration for location of the Center, which would centralize NASA’s payroll, accounting, human resources, facilities and procurement offices that are now handled at each field center. The consolidation is part of the One NASA focus. Others attending the presentation included U.S. Senator Bill Nelson and Center Director Jim Kennedy.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Armando Oliu, Final Inspection Team lead for the Shuttle program, speaks to reporters about the aid the Image Analysis Lab is giving the FBI in a kidnapping case. Behind him at right is Mike Rein, External Affairs division chief. Oliu oversees the image lab that is using an advanced SGI® TP9500 data management system to review the tape of the kidnapping in progress in Sarasota, Fla. KSC installed the new $3.2 million system in preparation for Return to Flight of the Space Shuttle fleet. The lab is studying the Sarasota kidnapping video to provide any new information possible to law enforcement officers. KSC is joining NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama in reviewing the tape.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - After the successful Flight Readiness Firing of the space shuttle Discovery's three main engines, Kennedy Space Center Director Forrest McCartney congratulates members of the launch team in the firing room. The approximate 22-second firing was conducted to evaluate the performance of various components of the shuttle, external tank and solid rocket boosters, as well as the launch facilities and support equipment which will be used during the launch of STS-26. Looking on is Bob Sieck, KSC launch director, right, Hugh Harris, deputy director of KSC Public Affairs, left, and John Conway, director of Payload Management and Operations, second from left. Photo credit: NASA

Alexis Harry, assistant director of Astro Camp at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center, talks with students at Lake Cormorant (Miss.) Elementary School during a 'Living and Working in Space' presentation March 30. Stennis hosted the school presentation during a visit to the Oxford area. Harry, who also is a high school biology teacher in Slidell, La., spent time discussing space travel with students and answering questions they had about the experience, including queries about how astronauts eat, sleep and drink in space. The presentation was sponsored by the NASA Office of External Affairs and Education at Stennis. For more information about NASA education initiatives, visit: http://education.ssc.nasa.gov/.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - At the Beach House, Congressman Tom Feeney (center) relaxes after his walk on Brevard County’s beach north of the launch pads. With him are William Sample (left), president of Space Gateway Support at KSC; Stan Starr, with Dynamac Corp.; Lisa Malone, director of External Affairs at KSC; and Jim Hattaway, associate director of KSC. During January and February, Congressman Feeney traveled the entire coastline of Florida’s 24th District, and concluded his walks March 1 in Brevard County. On his walks, he met with constituents and community leaders to discuss legislative issues that will be addressed by the 108th Congress.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Gregg Buckingham, University Affairs officer, External Relations and Business Development Directorate, addresses students of MESA, the New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program. The students are visiting KSC, touring facilities and meeting with mentors. MESA students, high school seniors who hold grade-point averages of at least 3.2 and who tutor other students in math and science, have made the spring trip for the past 14 years. The MESA program has close ties to the NASA Training Project at the University of New Mexico.

NASA John C. Stennis Space Center employees observed Women's History Month on March 17 with a panel discussion that featured accomplished women of the facility. The gathering featured (l to r): Pam Covington, manager of the NASA Office of External Affairs at Stennis; Mary Jones, assistant chief of staff with the Navy Meterology & Oceanography Command; and Lauren Underwood, senior research scientist with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. In addition to the panel discussion, the Stennis Diversity Council and Patriot Technologies also hosted a pair of 'lunch-and-learn' sessions focused on women's issues and history. The luncheons featured videos on Sally Hemings, the slave widely recognized as the mistress of President Thomas Jefferson; and several mothers of U.S. presidents.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - Gregg Buckingham, University Affairs officer, External Relations and Business Development Directorate, addresses students of MESA, the New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program. The students are visiting KSC, touring facilities and meeting with mentors. MESA students, high school seniors who hold grade-point averages of at least 3.2 and who tutor other students in math and science, have made the spring trip for the past 14 years. The MESA program has close ties to the NASA Training Project at the University of New Mexico.

STS-43 Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, soars toward space after liftoff from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Launch Complex (LC) Pad 39A at 11:02: 00 am (Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)). This low angle view captures OV-104 as it begins its roll maneuver. A burst of sunlight shines through the mated hardware elements supporting the Space Shuttle Atlantis for the STS-43 mission's launch phase. Exhaust plumes billow from the solid rocket booster (SRB) skirts. All three space shuttle main engines (SSMEs) glow as they power OV-104 into orbit. The bottom of external tank (ET) is highlighted by the SRB/SSME firings. This image was selected by the Public Affairs Office (PAO) for public release.

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin and Italian Space Agency (ASI) President Sergio DeJulio sign a Framework for Cooperation to build the Habitation Module for the International Space Station. Seated at the table (left to right) are The Honorable Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Italy; DeJulio; Goldin; and John Schumacher, assistant administrator, External Relations, NASA. The Framework is a potential bilateral cooperative agreement that could result in ASI development of a U.S. Habitation Module for the International Space Station. This agreement allows the U.S. to explore an alternative approach to achieve full crew habitation for the ISS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and ASI will be required to formally document NASA and ASI’s respective responsibilities in a legally binding document. The Framework signed today would form the basis for a potential MOU which NASA and ASI would sign after completion of the program assessment and subsequent negotiations. The ceremony took place at the IMAX Theater, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center, NASA Administrator Mike Griffin congratulates the launch team on the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121. The launch was the first ever to take place on Independence Day. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. Others next to Griffin are (left to right) David R. Mould, assistant administrator for NASA Public Affairs ; Lisa Malone, director of External Relations at Kennedy; Bruce Buckingham, news chief at the NASA News Center at Kennedy; and Mike Leinbach, Shuttle Program director. During the 12-day mission, the STS-121 crew of seven will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for July 16 or 17 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center, Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach (center) is congratulated by NASA Administrator Mike Griffin (right) for the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-121. The launch was the first ever to take place on Independence Day. Behind Leinbach are David R. Mould, assistant administrator for Public Affairs NASA, and Lisa Malone, director of External Relations at Kennedy. Liftoff was on-time at 2:38 p.m. EDT. During the 12-day mission, the STS-121 crew of seven will test new equipment and procedures to improve shuttle safety, as well as deliver supplies and make repairs to the International Space Station. Landing is scheduled for July 16 or 17 at Kennedy's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- David Dickinson, the acting director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Public Affairs Office at Kennedy Space Center, accepts a copy of Bulgarian singer Dyana Dafova's latest compact disc (CD) from her on behalf of NASA. The 525-foot tall Vehicle Assembly Building, where Space Shuttle orbiters are mated to their external tank/solid rocket booster stacks, looms in the background. Dyana is touring the United States to promote her CD, entitled "Sounds of the Earth," and was an invited guest of NASA for the launch of Columbia on STS-90, the Neurolab mission, earlier in the day. Columbia lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at 2:19 p.m. EDT. Dyana characterized the music on her CD as a new sound, incorporating jazz and new age classics, sung in a newly created language comprised of Bulgarian, English, Sanskrit, Aramski and Hebrew

NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin and Italian Space Agency (ASI) President Sergio DeJulio sign a Framework for Cooperation to build the Habitation Module for the International Space Station. Seated at the table (left to right) are The Honorable Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Italy; DeJulio; Goldin; and John Schumacher, assistant administrator, External Relations, NASA. The Framework is a potential bilateral cooperative agreement that could result in ASI development of a U.S. Habitation Module for the International Space Station. This agreement allows the U.S. to explore an alternative approach to achieve full crew habitation for the ISS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and ASI will be required to formally document NASA and ASI’s respective responsibilities in a legally binding document. The Framework signed today would form the basis for a potential MOU which NASA and ASI would sign after completion of the program assessment and subsequent negotiations. The ceremony took place at the IMAX Theater, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Former NASA Director of Public Affairs Hugh Harris, left, is joined by Jill Rock, of Kennedy's External Relations Office, in speaking to about 45 of NASA’s social media followers about the space agency's extensive efforts to host guests and VIPs over the years. They were among several speakers to address the participants during two days of presentations on the Kennedy Space Center's past, present and future. The social media participants gathered at the Florida spaceport on Aug. 2 and 3, 2012 to hear from key former and current leaders who related stories of the space agency's efforts to explore the unknown. It was the first social media event totally run by Kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/ Gianni Woods

A young visitor to the Powerhouse Community Arts and Cultural Center in Oxford, Miss., enjoys a balloon rocket transportation activity during a NASA Night in the Neighborhood on March 29. NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis visited the center with a variety of space-related displays and educational activities. Events targeted for children included moon phasers and build-your-own rocket transportation exercises, as well as an astronaut ice cream tasting station. Visitors also were able to take photos in the astronaut suit display. Displays focused on the 40th anniversaries of the Apollo 11 and Apollo 13 lunar missions, the International Space Station, and various aspects of Stennis work. The event was sponsored by the NASA Office of External Affairs and Education at Stennis.

Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET), a public-private partnership between Mississippi Development Authority, NASA, and Mississippi’s research institutions, hosted a visit for University of Mississippi leadership on Sept. 4 to NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The visit showcased the center’s federal assets and the role Mississippi Enterprise for Technology plays in supporting industry and driving sustained economic development of the region and state. Pictured, from left to right, are: Davis Pace, president and CEO of MSET; William Kneip, director of External Relations and assistant to the Chancellor for Executive Affairs, University of Mississippi; Amy Lewis, executive director of Federal Relations, University of Mississippi; John Bailey, director of NASA Stennis; Dr. Glenn Boyce, chancellor of the University of Mississippi; Hughes Miller, senior director of Industry Engagement, University of Mississippi; and Dr. John Higginbotham, vice chancellor of Research and Economic Development, University of Mississippi.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- John J. “Tip” Talone (right) poses with Lisa Malone, director of KSC External Affairs, and Kevin Hoshstrasser, her fiancé, during the annual National Space Club Debus Award Banquet. Talone received the award that was created to recognize significant achievements made in Florida to American aerospace efforts. The event was held at the Dr. Kurt H. Debus Conference Facility in the Visitor Complex. Talone is director of the International Space Station/Payloads Processing directorate at KSC that is responsible for prelaunch and launch preparations for all Shuttle payloads. He was honored for his outstanding personal and professional efforts in supporting the U.S. space program, especially in his current role. The award was created by the National Space Club Florida Committee to recognize significant achievements and contributions made in Florida to American aerospace efforts. It is named for Dr. Kurt H. Debus, first director of KSC, from 1962 to 1974.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the International Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, senior government officials from 15 countries participating in the space station program signed agreements in Washington D.C. on Jan. 29 to establish the framework of cooperation among the partners on the design, development, operation and utilization of the space station. Acting Secretary of State Strobe Talbott signed the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement on Space Station Cooperation with representatives of Russia, Japan, Canada, and participating countries of the European Space Agency ESA -- Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Some of these officials then toured Kennedy's Space Station Processing Facility SSPF with NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, at front, sixth from the left. They are, left to right, front to back: Hidetoshi Murayama, National Space Development Agency of Japan NASDA Louis Laurent, Embassy of France Haakon Blankenborg, Norwegian Parliament Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs His Excellency Joris Vos, ambassador of the Netherlands His Excellency Tom Vraalsen, ambassador of Norway Goldin Luigi Berlinguer, Italian minister for education, scientific, and technological research Antonio Rodota, director general, ESA Yvan Ylieff, Belgian minister of science and chairman of the ESA Ministerial Council Jacqueline Ylieff Masaaki Komatsu, Kennedy local NASDA representative and interpreter Serge Ivanets, space attache, Embassy of Russia Hiroshi Fujita, Science and Technology Agency of Japan Akira Mizutani, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Peter Grognard, science attache', Royal Embassy of Belgium Michelangelo Pipan, Italian diplomatic counselor to the minister His Excellency Gerhard Fulda, German Federal Foreign Office Jorg Feustel-Buechl, ESA director of manned space flight and microgravity A. Yakovenko, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs JoAnn Morgan, Kennedy associate director for Advanced Development and Shuttle Upgrades Steve Francois, director, International Space Station and Shuttle Processing Roy Tharpe, Boeing launch site manager Jon Cowart, ISS elements manager John Schumacher, NASA associate administrator for external relations Didier Kechemair, space advistor to the French minister for education, research, and technology Yoshinori Yoshimura, NASDA and Loren Shriver, Kennedy deputy director for launch and payload processing. Node 1 of the ISS is in the background. Photo Credit: NASA

After signing a Framework for Cooperation to build the Habitation Module for the International Space Station, Italian Space Agency President Sergio DeJulio (standing, left) shakes hands with NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin (right). Also at the signing are The Honorable Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Italy (far left) and John Schumacher, assistant administrator, NASA External Relations. The Framework is a potential bilateral cooperative agreement that could result in ASI development of a U.S. Habitation Module for the International Space Station. This agreement allows the U.S. to explore an alternative approach to achieve full crew habitation for the ISS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and ASI will be required to formally document NASA and ASI’s respective responsibilities in a legally binding document. The Framework signed today would form the basis for a potential MOU which NASA and ASI would sign after completion of the program assessment and subsequent negotiations.The ceremony took place at the IMAX Theater, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Armando Olivera, president and CEO of Florida Power & Light, or FPL, speaks to guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for the joint NASA and FPL solar power project at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Others on the stage are, from left, Ed Smeloff with SunPower Corporation, Florida Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Sen. Bill Nelson, Center Director Bob Cabana, Florida Rep. Bill Posey, Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon of Florida, and Pam Rauch, vice president of External Affairs for FPL. FPL, Florida's largest electric utility, will build and maintain two solar photovoltaic power generation systems at Kennedy. One will produce an estimated 10 megawatts of emissions-free power for FPL customers, which is enough energy to serve roughly 1,100 homes. The second is a one-megawatt solar power facility that will provide renewable energy directly to Kennedy. The FPL facilities at NASA will help provide Florida residents and America's space program with new sources of clean energy that will cut reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The one megawatt facility also will help NASA meet its goal for use of power generated from renewable energy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Pam Rauch, vice president of External Affairs for Florida Power & Light, or FPL, speaks to guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for the joint NASA and FPL solar power project at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Others on the stage are Ed Smeloff with SunPower Corporation, Florida Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Sen. Bill Nelson, Center Director Bob Cabana, Armando Olivera, president and CEO of FPL, Florida Rep. Bill Posey and Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon of Florida. FPL, Florida's largest electric utility, will build and maintain two solar photovoltaic power generation systems at Kennedy. One will produce an estimated 10 megawatts of emissions-free power for FPL customers, which is enough energy to serve roughly 1,100 homes. The second is a one-megawatt solar power facility that will provide renewable energy directly to Kennedy. The FPL facilities at NASA will help provide Florida residents and America's space program with new sources of clean energy that will cut reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The one megawatt facility also will help NASA meet its goal for use of power generated from renewable energy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Gathering on stage for the groundbreaking ceremony for the joint NASA and Florida Power & Light, or FPL, solar power project at NASA's Kennedy Space Center are Florida Rep. Bill Posey, Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon of Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson, Florida Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Armando Olivera, president and CEO of FPL, Center Director Bob Cabana and Pam Rauch, vice president of External Affairs for FPL. FPL, Florida's largest electric utility, will build and maintain two solar photovoltaic power generation systems at Kennedy. One will produce an estimated 10 megawatts of emissions-free power for FPL customers, which is enough energy to serve roughly 1,100 homes. The second is a one-megawatt solar power facility that will provide renewable energy directly to Kennedy. The FPL facilities at NASA will help provide Florida residents and America's space program with new sources of clean energy that will cut reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The one megawatt facility also will help NASA meet its goal for use of power generated from renewable energy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA Public Affairs Officer Michael Curie, left, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, Space Shuttle Program Launch Integration Manager Mike Moses and Shuttle Launch Director Mike Leinbach talk to media following a Flight Readiness Review that gave a unanimous "go" to launch space shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission to the International Space Station. This will be the second launch attempt for Discovery, following a scrub in November 2010 due to a hydrogen gas leak at the ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP) as well as modifications to the external fuel tank's intertank support beams, called stringers. Scheduled to lift off Feb. 24 at 4:50 p.m. EST, Discovery and its six-member crew will deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module, packed with supplies and critical spare parts, as well as Robonaut 2, the dexterous humanoid astronaut helper, to the orbiting outpost. For more information on the STS-133 mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Center Director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Bob Cabana addresses guests at the groundbreaking ceremony for the joint NASA and Florida Power & Light, or FPL, solar power project at Kennedy. Others on the stage are (from left) Ed Smeloff with SunPower Corporation, Florida Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, Sen. Bill Nelson, Armando Olivera, president and CEO of FPL, Florida Rep. Bill Posey, Eric Draper, deputy director of Audubon of Florida, and Pam Rauch, vice president of External Affairs for FPL. FPL, Florida's largest electric utility, will build and maintain two solar photovoltaic power generation systems at Kennedy. One will produce an estimated 10 megawatts of emissions-free power for FPL customers, which is enough energy to serve roughly 1,100 homes. The second is a one-megawatt solar power facility that will provide renewable energy directly to Kennedy. The FPL facilities at NASA will help provide Florida residents and America's space program with new sources of clean energy that will cut reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The one megawatt facility also will help NASA meet its goal for use of power generated from renewable energy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

After signing a Framework for Cooperation to build the Habitation Module for the International Space Station, Italian Space Agency President Sergio DeJulio (standing, left) shakes hands with NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin (right). Also at the signing are The Honorable Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Italy (far left) and John Schumacher, assistant administrator, NASA External Relations. The Framework is a potential bilateral cooperative agreement that could result in ASI development of a U.S. Habitation Module for the International Space Station. This agreement allows the U.S. to explore an alternative approach to achieve full crew habitation for the ISS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and ASI will be required to formally document NASA and ASI’s respective responsibilities in a legally binding document. The Framework signed today would form the basis for a potential MOU which NASA and ASI would sign after completion of the program assessment and subsequent negotiations.The ceremony took place at the IMAX Theater, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- With KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility control tower and the NASA Public Affairs midfield press site as backdrop, the orbiter Discovery's drag chute deploys as it lands on Runway 15 to complete the STS-91 mission. Main gear touchdown was at 2:00:18 p.m. EDT on June 12, 1998, landing on orbit 155 of the mission. The wheels stopped at 2:01:22 p.m. EDT, for a total mission-elapsed time of 9 days, 19 hours, 55 minutes and 1 second. The 91st Shuttle mission was the 44th KSC landing in the history of the Space Shuttle program and the 15th consecutive landing at KSC. During the mission, the orbiter docked with the Russian space station Mir for the ninth time, concluding Phase I of the joint U.S.-Russian International Space Station Program. STS-91 also featured first flights for both the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and the Space Shuttle super lightweight external tank. The STS-91 flight crew included Mission Commander Charles J. Precourt; Pilot Dominic L. Gorie; and Mission Specialists Wendy B. Lawrence, Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Janet Lynn Kavandi and Valery Victorovitch Ryumin of the Russian Space Agency. Astronaut Andrew S. W. Thomas also returned to Earth as an STS-91 crew member after 141 days in space

At a signing ceremony between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and NASA for a Framework for Cooperation to build the Habitation Module for the International Space Station, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin speaks to attendees. Seated at the table next to Goldin are The Honorable Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Italy (far left), Italian Space Agency President Sergio DeJulio, and John Schumacher, assistant administrator, NASA External Relations. The Framework is a potential bilateral cooperative agreement that could result in ASI development of a U.S. Habitation Module for the International Space Station. This agreement allows the U.S. to explore an alternative approach to achieve full crew habitation for the ISS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and ASI will be required to formally document NASA and ASI’s respective responsibilities in a legally binding document. The Framework signed today would form the basis for a potential MOU which NASA and ASI would sign after completion of the program assessment and subsequent negotiations.The ceremony took place at the IMAX Theater, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

At a signing ceremony between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and NASA for a Framework for Cooperation to build the Habitation Module for the International Space Station, NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin speaks to attendees. Seated at the table next to Goldin are The Honorable Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Italy (far left), Italian Space Agency President Sergio DeJulio, and John Schumacher, assistant administrator, NASA External Relations. The Framework is a potential bilateral cooperative agreement that could result in ASI development of a U.S. Habitation Module for the International Space Station. This agreement allows the U.S. to explore an alternative approach to achieve full crew habitation for the ISS. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NASA and ASI will be required to formally document NASA and ASI’s respective responsibilities in a legally binding document. The Framework signed today would form the basis for a potential MOU which NASA and ASI would sign after completion of the program assessment and subsequent negotiations.The ceremony took place at the IMAX Theater, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex