Ambassador of France to the United States, FranÁois Bujon de l’Estang,
will visit the Johnson Space Center on Thursday, September 21 at 4:00
p.m. to present the French Legion of Honor to NASA astronaut Eileen M.
Collins (Col., USAF). The award ceremony, beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the
space center’s Building 9, will feature the ambassador personally
presenting the insignia of the Legion of Honor to Collins, Commander of
STS-93.
The Legion of Honor is awarded for outstanding contributions to mankind.
The award is given to Commander Collins, the first female Shuttle
commander, for her spirit of cooperation with French astronauts and her
part in creating a cooperative relationship between France and NASA. In
particular the award honors the STS-93 mission, which included European
Space Agency astronaut Michel Tognini from France.
Media representatives wishing to cover the award ceremony must notify
the JSC newsroom by fax (281-483-2000) before 5 p.m. CDT Wednesday
September 20 for accreditation and badging.
