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[b]Presidential Inaugural Committee Invites NASA to March in 56th Inaugural Parade[/b] Today, in keeping with its commitment to hold inaugural events that celebrate our common values and reflect the diversity and history of our great nation, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Inaugural Committee officially extended an offer to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to march in the 56th Inaugural Parade. Members of NASA will join representatives from across the country and our Armed Forces in the historic parade down Pennsylvania Avenue following President-elect Obama's swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the Capitol. "I am honored to invite these talented groups and individuals to participate in the Inaugural Parade," said President-elect Obama. "These organizations embody the best of our nation's history, diversity and commitment to service. Vice President-elect Biden and I are proud to have them join us in the parade." Organizations wishing to participate in the parade submitted an application to the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee (AFIC), which then assisted the Presidential Inaugural Committee in reviewing all of the groups' applications. All told, 1,382 organizations applied to participate, setting a new standard for interest in marching in the parade. Congress enacted the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to provide research into flight within and outside Earth's atmosphere and to ensure the United States conducts its activities in space for peaceful purposes and for the benefit of humanity. More than 50 years later, NASA continues to live up to that mandate and the American tradition of pioneering and expanding the realm of what is possible through space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. The STS-126 Endeavour crew completed a 16-day journey of more than 6.6 million miles. Chris Ferguson commanded the flight and was joined by Pilot Eric Boe and Mission Specialists Donald Pettit, Steve Bowen, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and Sandra Magnus. Magnus remained aboard the Station, replacing Expedition 18 Flight Engineer Greg Chamitoff, who returned to Earth on Endeavour after more than five months on the station. The mission featured important repair work and prepared the International Space Station to house six crew members on long-duration missions beginning next year. The new station equipment includes a water recovery system, additional sleeping quarters, a second toilet and an exercise device. During four spacewalks, the crew serviced the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints, which allow its solar arrays to track the sun, and installed new hardware that will support future assembly missions. STS-126 was the 124th space shuttle mission, the 22nd flight for Endeavour and the 27th shuttle visit to the station. In addition to the Endeavor crew, the NASA contingent will include a small pressurized rover. That vehicle is one concept for a new generation of lunar rovers that astronauts will take with them when they return to the moon by 2020. The rovers are being tested at sites around the country that have terrain similar to what might be encountered on the moon. The rover could provide astronauts' main mode of transportation on the moon and would allow them the flexibility to work inside it without the restrictions imposed by spacesuits. The adaptable vehicle features wheels that enable "crab style" movements to help the vehicle maneuver through difficult spots, and a cantilevered cockpit to enhance the drivers' visibility of the terrain ahead. Early concepts also provide an exercise ergometer that allows crews to exercise and charge the vehicle's batteries simultaneously. A list of the NASA personnel that will accompany the rover is still in formation. The Presidential Inaugural Committee was assisted in its selection process by a group of experienced military musicians, who utilized their expertise to help assess the presentation skills of marching bands, musical acts and drill teams.
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