Station Astronaut Suni Williams Reflects on President Kennedy's Challenge

Today marks the 50th anniversary of President JFK's speech at Rice University where he challenged our nation to reach the moon. It was a historic speech that propelled our nation on a new venture for the progress of all people. With that strong charge, NASA not only reached the moon, the agency accomplished countless milestones in science, aeronautics and human spacefilght; including the development of this extraordinary laboratory, where I am today, the International Space Station. President Kennedy vowed that we shall not see space governed by a hostile flag of conquest but by a banner of freedom and peace. The International Space Station has become the very embodiment of that ideal. On August 25, Neil Armstrong, the man who embodied President Kennedy's challenge, to land on the moon, passed away at the age of 82. Although he always said he was simply doing his job, every astronaut since his historic leap for mankind has stood squarely on Neil Armstrongs shoulders and the shoulders of all other space explorers. While we mourn the passing of an Aemerican legend and icon, we celebrate his legacy. Every day as astronauts continue to live and work in space. And as NASA develops ways for humans to reach an asteroid and mars, President Kennedy's vision is alive and thriving.