NASA astronaut to honor black history

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - Astronaut and two-time space shuttle veteran Benjamin Alvin "Al" Drew will celebrate Black History Month at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton this weekend.

Drew was a NASA mission specialist on two space shuttles in 2007 and 2011. He also flew combat missions over Panama, the Persian Gulf, and Northern Iraq, according to a news release from NASA.

He will be joined by Langley Air Force Base pilot Paul "Loco" Lopez, World War II members of the Tidewater Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, and drivers from Langley Speedway.

The event, "Rockets to Racecars: the Science of Flight and Racing," will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 at the Virginia Air and Space Center.

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NASA's Langley Research Center

Virginia Air and Space Center