Feb. 4 Black History Month Programs Feature First African American Spacewalker

Two programs with retired astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris and aviation professionals

SEATTLE, Jan. 25, 2012--Two inspirational programs - a lecture and a panel presentation - will feature the first African American to walk in space, former astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris. The Feb. 4 Black History Month programs include a 2 p.m. lecture by Harris, followed at 3:15 p.m. with a panel discussion including Harris and five aviation professionals. Harris is a veteran of two space shuttle flights, and is president of The Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports math/science education and crime prevention programs for America's youth.

The panel presentation, "Reaching Your Potential," includes Harris, USAF and Alaska Airlines pilots, an engineer and an airline dispatcher discussing career opportunities in aerospace. Both programs are free with admission to the Museum.

2 p.m. - Bernard Harris Lecture

Dr. Bernard Harris worked at NASA for ten years, where he conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and disuse osteoporosis. Later, as Head of the Exercise Countermeasure Project, he conducted clinical investigations of space adaptation and developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space. Selected into the Astronaut Corp in January 1990, Harris was a Mission Specialist on the space shuttle Columbia STS-55/Spacelab D-2 in 1993. As Payload Commander on the shuttle Discovery STS-63 in 1995, he served on the first flight of the joint Russian-American Space Program, becoming the first African American to walk in space. Harris has logged more than 438 hours and traveled over 7.2 million miles in space.

Harris is currently Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc., a venture capital firm, that invests in early to mid-stage healthcare technologies and companies. He is also the founder of the Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports math/science education and crime prevention programs for America's youth. Harris is also the author of the book, "Dream Walker."

3:15 p.m. - "Reaching Your Potential" Panel

Moderator:

Lt. Col. Ronald Limes, USAF pilot, 97th Airlift Squadron.

Panelists:

Jasmine Bridges, Boeing Company engineer.

Jonathon Burton, Alaska Airlines dispatcher.

Bernard Harris, former astronaut.

Capt. Mitch Mitchell, Alaska Airlines Captain.

Lt. Col. Kimberly Scott, Alaska Airlines pilot and USAF Reserve C-17 pilot, 728th Airlift Squadron

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The non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest independent air and space museums in the world. The Museum's collection includes more than 150 historically significant air- and spacecraft, as well as the William E. Boeing Red Barn^® -- the original manufacturing facility of the Boeing Co. The Airpark includes outdoor displays with the first jet Air Force One, a Concorde airliner, and the first Boeing 747 jumbo jet. The Museum aeronautical library and archival holdings are the largest on the West Coast. The Education Office offers weekend family programs, programs for students and educators, and overnight camps for children. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $13 for active military, $9 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit museumofflight.org.