[meteorite-list] NASA Awards Moon Rock to Former Astronaut Stafford

[Ron Baalke]

Sonja Alexander/Doc Mirelson
Headquarters, Washington                       July 11, 2005
(Phone: 202/358-1600)

RELEASE: 05-179

NASA AWARDS MOON ROCK TO FORMER ASTRONAUT STAFFORD

Former NASA astronaut Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Stafford, USAF 
(Ret.) will receive a commemorative moon rock as part of 
NASA's Ambassador of Exploration program. NASA will present 
the lunar sample to Stafford at 2 p.m. EDT, Tuesday at the 
Thomas P. Stafford Air & Space Museum in Weatherford, Okla.

The program honors the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo astronauts 
who made lunar landings from 1969 to 1972. The awards remain 
the property of NASA; however, each lunar sample will be on 
long-term loan to the museum or learning institution of the 
recipient's choice. His sample will be on long-term loan to 
the Stafford museum in Weatherford.

Stafford was part of the Apollo 10 crew that launched May 18, 
1969. The mission tested the lunar landing module, while 
orbiting the moon. it was the final test flight before the 
historic Apollo 11 lunar landing. Stafford also piloted NASA's 
Gemini VI mission in 1965 and commanded the Gemini IX mission 
in 1966.

For Stafford museum and event information, call: 580/772-5871; 
or visit their Web site at: 

www.staffordairandspacemuseum.com

For information about NASA and agency programs on the Internet, 
visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html


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