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Lucid awarded Space Medal of Honor
December 2, 1996
Web posted at: 3:05 p.m. ESTWASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor Monday to Shannon Lucid, the American astronaut who spent six months aboard the Russian space station Mir.
Lucid, the 10th astronaut honored with the award in its 27-year history, is also the first woman and the first scientist to receive the highest civilian award that can be given to participants in the U.S. space program.
"Most pioneers set their sights on just one frontier," Clinton said in presenting the medal at an Oval Office ceremony. "Shannon Lucid has pushed to the furthermost limits of two, the frontiers of both space and science. She has done so with brain power, will power, courage, skill and good humor."
Later, he added, "What she did while journeying through the stars was a proud example of what all of us should try to do more of here on Earth."
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Lucid, who returned to Earth on September 26, spent 188 days in space, setting a record for female and U.S. astronauts.
She was among the first six women chosen by NASA to participate in space program in 1978 and has since been on five shuttle missions.
The president used the occasion to restate commitment to the American space program, the international space station and robotic exploration of Mars.
He then thanked all the astronauts who participate in the pace program, including those currently orbiting the Earth in the space shuttle Columbia.
"When we see them on film, they make it look so easy, but we know that it isn't."
Lucid, wearing a blue blazer and gray skirt, not her usual NASA uniform, thanked the president for the award and said it represents not just her achievements but those of many people and two nations, the United States and Russia.
"What this flight really was a story of two great space faring nations that cooperate together and work together. (It's) just a foretaste of what can happen in the future."
During an interview with CNN earlier Monday, Lucid said she was doing very well 10 weeks after her record space flight.
"Readjusting back to living on Earth was much easier than I had anticipated," she said.
Asked what struck her most about her recent experience in space, Lucid related a story from the mission in which she and her cosmonaut colleagues marveled at the idea that an American and Russians raised during the Cold War would one day be working side-by-side in space.
The 53-year-old mother of two said she has no immediate plans for the future but added that she would love a chance to visit the planned international space station.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Special section:
CNN Interactive's extended coverageRelated stories:
- Lucid talks about her record-breaking mission - October 24, 1996
- Lucid returns home after record-setting spaceflight - September 26, 1996
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