Ed LuStatus: Retired 7/1/1963 – Nationality: American Type: Government First Flight: 5/15/1997 Last Flight: 4/26/2003Edward Tsang “Ed” Lu (simplified Chinese: 卢杰; traditional Chinese: 盧傑; pinyin: Lú Jié) is an American physicist and former NASA astronaut. He flew on two Space Shuttle flights, and made an extended stay aboard the International Space Station. In 2007, Lu retired from NASA to become the program manager of Google’s Advanced Projects Team. In 2002, while still at NASA, Lu co-founded the B612 Foundation, dedicated to protecting the Earth from asteroid strikes, later serving as its chairman. As of 2014, he is currently its chief executive officer (CEO).LaunchesSpace Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-84Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-106Soyuz-FG | Soyuz TMA-2National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationType: Government Abbreviation: NASA Administration: Administrator: Jim Bridenstine Founded: 1958 Launchers: Space Shuttle | SLS Spacecraft: Orion Country: USAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.