Video of Apollo and space shuttle astronaut Thomas K. Ken Mattlingly, II, being awarded NASA's Ambassador of Exploration for his contributions to the U. S. space program. The ceremony was held Thursday, March 26 at Mattingly's alma mater, Auburn University, in Alabama. Born in Chicago and raised in Miami, Mattingly was command module pilot on Apollo 16. Hed also been designated command module pilot for the Apollo 13 mission, but was pulled from the flight 72 hours before its scheduled launch because of exposure to German measles. Mattingly is one of only several Apollo astronauts to fly aboard the space shuttle, commanding both STS-4 and STS 51-C. The Ambassador of Exploration Award honors NASAs first generation of explorers in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs for realizing America's goal of going to the moon. Mattinglys moon rock, encased in Lucite, will remain at Auburn on public display. Play to Earn Crypto: Play to Earn Crypto:
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