After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in mathematics and electrical science, Manchester NH native Lee Morin earned a masters degree in biochemistry, a Ph.D. in microbiology, a medical degree, became a captain in the U.S. Navy, qualified as a Submarine Medical Officer and a Naval Flight surgeon. He volunteered for Operation Desert Storm, during which his status was Naval Flight Surgeon and Diving Medical Officer. He then was selected by NASA for the Astronaut Corps, and served as a crewmember on STS-110, a space shuttle mission to the International Space Station. During this mission, he completed over 14 hours working outside the shuttle as part of the EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity) team. Morin is currently involved in NASA’s next steps in humanity’s exploration of the solar system, working on the cockpit of NASA's newest spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle.

The festivities begin at 7 p.m. Friday night, June 13, with “Time to Climb”, a presentation by Colonel Bill Moran, Wing Commander of the NH Civil Air Patrol. In February 1992, at Grand Forks AFB, ND, three B-1B bomber aircrew from the 46th Bomb Squadron broke eight "Time to Climb" world records and established four new "Time to Climb" world records. 12 flights in three different weight classes flew to 3,000, 6,000, 9,000 and 12,000 meters.  Col. Moran, who was the squadron commander and pilot of the first three record flights, will tell his story of that memorable day. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; cost of admission is $10 adults/$9 students and seniors/$7 children/free for Discovery Center members and children age 2 and under.

On Saturday, June 14 from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Aerospacefest will include presentations, demonstrations and activities for all ages on astronomy, aviation, Earth and space science, weather balloon launches, remote control airplane demos, a climbing wall and bouncy house, planetarium shows, the opening of a new NASA exhibit, “The Sun as Art”, telescope viewing courtesy the NH Astronomical Society and - awaiting final NASA approval – a visit from NASA Astronaut and Manchester NH native Lee M.E. Morin, M.D., Ph.D. (Captain, USN). Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; cost of admission is $15 adults/$13 students and seniors/$10 children/free for Discovery Center members and children age 2 and under.

Aerospacefest 2014 is made possible through the generosity of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s members, donors, the NH Space Grant Consortium, Associated Grocers of New England and Raytheon.

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center features 21st century interactive exhibits on aviation, astronomy, Earth and space sciences, a state-of-the-art planetarium and a variety of science, technology, and engineering and mathematics programs. The engaging, robust educational programs are geared towards families, teens, seniors, students, community groups and lifelong learners. For more information, visit www.starhop.com.