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Open: 9 AM to 5 PM
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Astronaut Appearance

Meet Astronaut Wendy Lawrence

Universe Theater

WedWednesdayApril 1
ThuThursdayApril 2
FriFridayApril 3
SatSaturdayApril 4
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Wendy B. Lawrence headshot
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Get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut every day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Meet the Astronaut of the Day at any of the following opportunities:  

  • Astronaut Encounter – During these presentations, hear from the Astronaut of the Day about his or her unique experience living and working in space. Have your questions ready after the presentation. Astronaut Encounter is included with admission. 
  • Chat With An Astronaut – Enjoy a sampling of food and beverages while having a small-group conversation with the Astronaut of the Day about what it is really like to live and work in space. Chat With An Astronaut can be purchased in addition to admission. 
  • Autograph signings – get the astronaut’s autograph at The Space Shop and Shuttle Express at various times during the day. 

 See the Daily Schedule for the times for each when you arrive.

Learn more about this Astronaut of the Day below.

Wendy B. Lawrence headshot

Wendy B. Lawrence

  • Captain, USN

  • NASA Astronaut (Former)

Captain Wendy Lawrence played pivotal roles in missions involving ultraviolet observations, Shuttle-Mir dockings, and the Shuttle Return to Flight, significantly advancing space exploration and international collaboration.

Selected by NASA in 1992, Captain Wendy Lawrence served in various technical roles while at NASA, including flight software verification, Assistant Training Officer, and NASA’s representative at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.

A veteran of four space flights, Cpt. Lawrence logged over 1,225 hours in space. Her space missions included: STS-67, STS-86, STS-91, and STS-114. During STS-67, the crew provided round-the-clock ultraviolet observations with the ASTRO observatory. STS-86 included a rendezvous with the Russian Space Station Mir, transferring 10,400 pounds of supplies. STS-91 marked the final Shuttle-Mir docking mission, concluding the U.S./Russian Phase I Program. STS-114 was the space shuttle’s first Return to Flight mission after the Columbia disaster.

Cpt. Lawrence’s last mission, she helped test new inspection and repair procedures and transferred over 11,000 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station. Cpt. Lawrence retired from NASA in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of significant contributions to space exploration, space shuttle missions, and U.S.-Russian space cooperation.

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