NASA Astronaut Will Visit New Bedford Whaling Museum

Days before Buzz Lightyear returns to the big screen, we have received news that a real-life astronaut will be paying a visit to the New Bedford Whaling Museum this weekend.

This will be your chance to bring your children to meet an actual NASA astronaut during a free family event.  The Whaling Museum has announced that NASA Astronaut Stephen G. Bowen will speak at ‘A Universe of Stories’ this weekend.  The speaking event will take place on Saturday, June 22 at 3:00 p.m. to kick off the New Bedford Free Public Library’s summer reading program. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. The event is free, open to the public of all ages, and is provided with funding from the Enable Hope Foundation and New Bedford Free Public Library.

Mr. Bowen will speak about his time aboard the International Space Station.  He was the first naval submarine officer to be selected as an astronaut by NASA.  While onboard the International Space Station, Bowen and his crew delivered equipment and supplies, then built an addition to the space station's living quarters.

Bowen has logged more than 40 days in space, including 47 hours and 18 minutes in seven space walks. He was also the first American to fly on back-to-back space missions.