Astronaut Michael López-Alegría served on three Space Shuttle missions and commanded an International Space Station (ISS) mission for the United States which, at the time, was the longest spaceflight in American history. He is the American record holder for performing ten spacewalks. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, and The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; he is a retired Navy Captain.

Join us as Captain López-Alegría intrigues with a look behind the scenes of human spaceflight. The presentation will illuminate the daring—and deadly—competition between The United States and USSR to dominate outer space. The stunning launch of Sputnik in October, 1957 also launched decades of fierce technological competition between the two nations.

Today, the most audacious engineering achievement ever attempted by humans, the International Space Station could only be achieved when the two nations joined together in collaboration. A Veteran of three space shuttle missions and commander of a 270 day ISS mission, Captain López-Alegría will share personal stories and photographs and will explore the future of suborbital, orbital and extraorbital vehicles.

Introducing the speaker will be Andy McCawley, President and CEO of New England Center and Home for Veterans, a Naval Academy and Naval Test Pilot School classmate of Captain López-Alegría's. Andy's own service career included command of a Navy fighter squadron and two ships, including the aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Since joining NECHV in 2011, he has led the Center to end chronic Veteran homelessness by providing a path to independent living.

Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 6:00pm
Wellesley Country Club
300 Wellesley Avenue
Wellesley, MA 02481

6:00pm Light Refreshments and Cash Bar
6:30pm Speaking Program

Pre-registration is required. Call 617-371-1704 or register online.
Dress code and club rules apply. No cell phone use allowed in clubhouse.