https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/morin.pdf http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Houston, Texas 77058

December 2016

Lee M. Morin

(M.D., Ph.D) (Captain, U.S. Navy, Ret.) NASA Astronaut

Summary:

Dr. Lee M. Morin was selected as an astronaut in 1996. The New Hampshire native holds several degrees including a 

Doctorate of Medicine and Microbiology from New York University. The retired U.S. Navy Captain flew aboard STS-110 in 

2002, which delivered the S0 (S-Zero) Truss; was the first time the station’s robotic arm was used for spacewalking; and 

was the first time that a crew’s spacewalks were based from the station’s Quest Airlock. Dr. Morin performed two 

spacewalks during STS-110 totaling 14 hours and 9 minutes. He is currently assigned to the Exploration Branch, where he 

works on the Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle. 

Personal Data:

Born on September 9, 1952 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Married with two children and four grandchildren. An 

amateur machinist, he also enjoys math and gardening.

Education:

Graduated from the Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, Ohio, 1970; Bachelor of Science in Mathematical/Electrical 

Science, University of New Hampshire, 1974; Master of Science Degree in Biochemistry, New York University, 1978; 

Doctorate of Medicine and Microbiology, New York University, 1981 and 1982; Master of Public Health, University of 

Alabama at Birmingham, 1988; Master of Physics, University of Houston-Clear Lake, 2009.

Experience:

After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1974, Morin worked at the Massachusetts Institute of 

Technology in the laboratory now known as the Media Lab. Morin matriculated at New York University School of 

Medicine in 1974, received a Master of Science in Biochemistry in 1978, an M.D. in 1981, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology in 

1982. He then completed two years of residency training in General Surgery at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center and 

at the Montefiore Hospital Medical Center in New York City.

In 1982, Dr. Morin received a Direct Commission in the Naval Reserve. In 1983, he entered active duty and attended the 

Naval Undersea Medical Institute in Groton, Connecticut. He was designated as an Undersea Medical Officer in 1983. Dr. 

Morin joined the crew of the USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN-730) Precommissioning Unit at the Electric Boat Company 

Shipyards in Groton. He remained aboard as Medical Officer for both Blue and Gold crews until 1985 when the ship 

arrived at its home port in Bangor, Washington. During his tour aboard the USS HENRY M. JACKSON, Morin qualified as 

Diving Medical Officer, and also received his “Dolphins” as a qualified Submarine Medical Officer.

Morin then entered Flight Surgeon training at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute (NAMI) in Pensacola, Florida. He 

received his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Flight Surgeon in 1986, and remained on the staff at NAMI as Flight 

Surgeon/Diving Medal Officer until 1989. While at NAMI, he received his Masters of Public Health Degree from the 

University of Alabama at Birmingham. He then left active duty and entered private practice in occupational medicine in 
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Lee M. Morin

Jacksonville, Florida. He remained in the Naval Reserve, and drilled with the United State Marine Corps with the Third 

Force Reconnaissance Company in Mobile, Alabama.

In August 1990, he was recalled to active duty during Operation Desert Shield, when he was assigned to Branch Clinic, 

Naval Air Station Pensacola as a Flight Surgeon. Morin volunteered to reenter active duty, and was assigned to 

Administrative Support Unit, Bahrain, as Diving Medical Officer/Flight Surgeon during Operation Desert Storm and 

during the post-war build-down period. In 1992, Morin rejoined the staff at NAMI, initially as Special Projects Officer. He 

was named the Director of Warfare Specialty Programs when NAMI became Naval Aerospace and Operational Medical 

Institute (NAOMI). In 1995, Morin entered the Residency in Aerospace Medicine at the Naval Aerospace and Operational 

Medical Institute. He completed the residency in 1996.

NASA Experience:

Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in April 1996, Morin reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. 

Having completed two years of training and evaluation, he is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. Dr. 

Morin was initially assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office Computer Support Branch, followed by the 

Astronaut Office Advanced Vehicles Branch, and International Space Station training tasks in the Shuttle Operations 

Branch of the Astronaut Office. Morin served on the spacewalking (EVA) crew of STS-110 (2002) and has logged more 

than 259 hours in space, including over 14 spacewalk hours. After STS-110, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary 

of State for Health, Space, and Science with the Department of State, Washington D.C. After this tour, he returned to the 

Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center. He is currently assigned to the Exploration Branch, where he is working on 

the cockpit of NASA’s newest spacecraft, the Orion Multipurpose Crew Vehicle. He is the supervisor of the Crew 

Interface Rapid Prototyping Lab (RPL).

Spaceflight Experience:

STS-110 Atlantis (April 8 to April 19, 2002). This was the thirteenth shuttle mission to visit the International Space 

Station. Mission milestones included the delivery and installation of the S0 (S-Zero) Truss; the first time the station’s 

robotic arm was used to maneuver spacewalkers around the station; and the first time that all of a shuttle crew’s 

spacewalks were based from the station’s Quest Airlock. Morin performed two spacewalks totaling 14 hours and 9 

minutes. The crew prepared the station for future spacewalks and spent a week in joint operations with the station’s 

Expedition 4 crew. Mission duration was 10 days, 19 hours and 42 minutes.

Awards/Honors:

Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy 

Achievement Medal; Navy Unit Commendation; Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards); NASA Space Flight 

Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; National Defense Medal; Liberation of Kuwait Medal; Southwest Asia Medal; Expert 

Pistol and Expert Rifle Medals.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award for Excellence in Military Medicine, also known as the Fisher Award (1994); 

Innovations in American Government Award from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and 

Ford Foundation (1995 finalist); Sustaining Membership Lecture Award for the Association of Military Surgeons of the 

United States (1996).

ORGANIZATIONS: Aerospace Medical Association, Force Recon Association, American College of Preventive Medicine, 

Society of United States Naval Flight Surgeons.

Pronunciation: LEE MORE-in