NASA astronaut and retired United States Navy Capt. Lee Morin has retired from the agency after 30 years of service. He served as a mission specialist on STS-110 and went on to oversee the Rapid Prototyping Laboratory and technology development for the International Space Station and NASA\u2019s Commercial Crew Program, as well as its Artemis campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cLee\u2019s contributions throughout his career are immense and immeasurable,\u201d said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. \u201cHis expertise and enthusiasm followed him whether he was working with the agency\u2019s most seasoned engineers, or an intern just starting out. We\u2019ll feel the impact of his innovations for decades to come, and I cannot thank him enough for his service.\u201d<\/p>\n
The New Hampshire native and physician flew aboard space shuttle Atlantis in support of STS-110 in 2002. The mission delivered the cornerstone truss to the space station. It also marked the first time the station\u2019s robotic arm was used to assist spacewalkers, and the first spacewalks conducted from the station\u2019s Quest airlock. During the mission, Morin performed two spacewalks, spending a total of 14 hours and 9 minutes working outside the station. He accumulated 10 days and 19 hours in space.<\/p>\n
\u201cLee\u2019s footprint on human spaceflight can be felt by every astronaut in our corps,\u201d said Chief Astronaut Scott Tingle. \u201cHe set the new standard for the way spacecraft cockpits are designed and built, resulting in more efficient astronaut training and safer spaceflight overall. I have long admired his drive to always try something new. I\u2019m proud to call him my lifelong friend and wish him nothing but the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
After his spaceflight, Morin used his experience to improve how astronauts interact with spacecraft systems. He helped design the software displays used during missions aboard the space station and Orion spacecraft. As lead astronaut on a team that created a standardized graphical interface for space station crews, Morin ensured early missions had clear, consistent displays and procedures. His work bridged the gap between engineering and usability, earning recognition from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for innovations that continue to make spaceflight safer and more efficient.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorking with the brilliant teams here at NASA has been the honor of a lifetime,\u201d Morin said. \u201cThroughout my career I\u2019ve had the honor of seeing some of the greatest achievements in human spaceflight, and I couldn\u2019t have done it without the support of the countless mentors, collaborators, and friends I\u2019ve met along the way. While I\u2019m departing the agency, I will remain an avid follower to see where human spaceflight goes next, and I am humbled and proud to say that I got to be a part of where it all began.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morin was selected as an astronaut in 1996. He holds multiple degrees, including master\u2019s degrees in biochemistry, public health, and physics. He earned his medical degree from New York University. Before he came to NASA, he served as a Naval flight surgeon, diving medical officer, and held key roles in aerospace medicine.<\/p>\n
Learn more about how NASA explores the unknown and innovates for the benefit of humanity at: <\/p>\n