Lawmakers call for first NASA SLS rocket to be named for last man on moonTwo U.S. lawmakers have authored new legislation to name the first of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rockets after the last man to leave footprints on the moon.
Congressmen John Culberson (R-TX) and Robert Aderholt (R-AL) introduced a resolution on Wednesday (Feb. 15) to christen the first launch of the SLS the "Cernan 1 rocket" in honor of Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan, who died on Jan. 16 at age 82.
"Cernan was devoted to making America's space program the best in the world," Culberson said. "I cannot think of a more fitting way to honor his legacy than the first launch of the Space Launch System carrying Capt. Cernan's name."