KSC-98pc1803

In a firing room of the Launch Control Center , KSC Director of Shuttle Operations Robert B. Sieck (center) shakes hands with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (right) after the successful launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-88 at 3:35:34 a.m. EST. At left is NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin. Sieck is wearing around his neck the Distinguished Service Medal presented him by Goldin following the launch. The medal, the highest honor NASA confers on a government employee, recognizes someone who has personally made a contribution representing substantial and extraordinary progress to the mission of NASA