posted 12-18-2025 07:21 PM               

NASA Astronaut Lee Morin to Retire After 30 Years of Innovation

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's Commercial Crew Program, as well as its Artemis campaign.

Above: Astronaut Lee M.E. Morin carries an affixed 35mm camera to record work which is being performed 240 miles above Earth on the International Space Station (ISS).

"Lee's contributions throughout his career are immense and immeasurable," said Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "His expertise and enthusiasm followed him whether he was working with the agency's most seasoned engineers, or an intern just starting out. We'll feel the impact of his innovations for decades to come, and I cannot thank him enough for his service."

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's robotic arm was used to assist spacewalkers, and the first spacewalks conducted from the station's 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.

"Lee's footprint on human spaceflight can be felt by every astronaut in our corps," said Chief Astronaut Scott Tingle. "He 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'm proud to call him my lifelong friend and wish him nothing but the best."

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.

"Working with the brilliant teams here at NASA has been the honor of a lifetime," Morin said. "Throughout my career I've had the honor of seeing some of the greatest achievements in human spaceflight, and I couldn't have done it without the support of the countless mentors, collaborators, and friends I've met along the way. While I'm 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."

Morin was selected as an astronaut in 1996. He holds multiple degrees, including master's 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.