NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Mayor Ledford of Palmdale and NASA Dryden officials Cecilia Cordova and Gwen Young presented a certificate of appreciation to Fernandez for his work with the shuttle simulator. › View Larger Photo

Boy scout Mario Fernandez assists Mayor Ledford in "flying" the space shuttle cockpit simulator at the AERO Institute's Aerospace Exploration Gallery. › View Larger Photo Mario Fernandez of Palmdale Boy Scout Troop 444 was honored recently by NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and the City of Palmdale, Calif., for his assistance in running the space shuttle cockpit simulator for visitors to the Aerospace Exploration Gallery at the AERO Institute in the Palmdale Civic Center during the city's recent Thursday Night on the Square summer festivals. Mayor James Ledford of Palmdale joined NASA Dryden education program specialist Cecilia Cordova and associate director for mission support Gwen Young in presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Fernandez for his work over the 10-week series of activities that will earn Martinez another scouting merit badge.