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2025 Bernard Harris (left) and Peggy Whitson (via pre -recorded video) inspired the US Astronaut Hall of Fame Museum during their introductory ceremony in the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Florida 2025. 31 May. | Credit: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
The US Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday (May 31) hosted an annual induction ceremony, but one of the two awards of this year could not be attended by all previous tensions.
Bernard Harris, the first black astronaut, who performed the space trail, climbed the stage, received his induction medal and unveiled the plaque that will be represented by the Hall of Fame in the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Florida. His colleague 2025. The inductor Peggy Whitson would have done the same thing, but it was not because it was necessary to be quarantine against her upcoming fifth launch into space.
Like Harris, Whitson withdrew from NASA, but since 2018 Worked for Axiom Space, Houston -based space service company. She led the company’s second mission to the International Space Station in 2023. And now is going to lead their fourth AX-4, starting only in the second week of this month.
At a private event before coming to quarantine for the upcoming launch, Peggy Whitson and its AX-4 crew are posing with the plate of their astronauts in the Museum of Fame. | Credit: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
Like the 109 astronauts ‘screens already displayed at the exhibit, Harris’ lighting lighting included its portrait engraved into the glass, its name, the years of its induction and images of his mission amendments. In the second of the two of his two space shooting flights in 1995, Harris married his historical EVA or extravhicular activity.
“Actually, I didn’t know I was the first African -American man while I was back inside, and I received a call, which President Clinton wanted to talk to me,” Harris said, according to Orlando Sentinel. “I was like going,” To whom? “
Whitson is the first astronaut to enter the Museum of Fame, carrying out a mission and only the second inductor, which is still an active flight status at the time or after its consolidation. )
It is not that you know this by looking at the patches of the Whitson Fame Museum plate. Her future Axiom Space-4 (AX-4) emblems are missing, as is her previous commercial flight (AX-2). According to Hall’s suitability requirements, the honor is open only to NASA trained for crew members, which apparently now also include which missions are recognized as a demonstration of the astronaut.
Whitson looked early on his plaque during a private visit to the visitor complex with his three AX-4 crew friends before entering the quarantine.
Before flying Axiom, Whitson set a record for the most accumulated time in space, 665 days, and also set the most time between the planet’s world record. These records only have grown as it continues to fly. (Its total non -land time is currently 675 days.)
“Harris and Whitson actually reflect the courage, adventure -filled spirit and dedication to exploration, which are vital to success in the space program,” said Curt Brown, chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which controls the selection process of the hall. “With great achievements and contribution to the pitch, it is appropriate to congratulate them to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame Museum in the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, where they join the legacy of Space Trailblazers to receive this prestigious honor.”
2014 Inductor Jerry Ross is presenting his SSS-55 crew friend Bernard Harris with the Astronaut Hall Medal Medal during the Harris introductory ceremony in the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in 2025. 31 May. | Credit: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
In addition to Brown and Harris, Saturday’s ceremony also included the remarks of the Visitors Complex Chief Operational Officer Therrin’s protrase and the director of the Kennedy Space Center Kelvin Manning. Harris was congratulated in the hall until 2014. Presented his induction medal.
Kent Rominger, who 2015 Entered the hall and, like Whitson, served as the head of the astronauts office, officially prompted veteran space shooter and space station astronaut in the absence.
“Please know that my heart is with you,” the Orlando Sentinel said in a pre-recorded report that was played on Saturday, Whitson said. “Being a respected group of individuals who has devoted her life to an unknown study is a privilege.”
2025 InduCtee Bernard Harris (Center) Surrounded by Fellow Members of the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex On May 31, 2025. From Left to Right: Bernard Shaw, Michael Lopez-Algria, Curton, Kathy Thornton Kavandi, Fred Gregory, Kent Rominger, Bob Cabana, Steve Lindsey, Harris, Franklin Chang-Diaz, Jerry Ross, Joe Kerwin, Bonnie Dunbar, Charlie Bolden, Dick Covey, Roy Bridges, Scott Altman, Dan Brandenstein | Credit: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
Related stories:
-Peggy Whitson: Astronaut supporting records
-Intervis with Bernard Harris, 1st African-American Spacewalker
– Space Shuttle flyer David Hilmers, Marsha Ivins enters the Astronaut Fame Museum
Brown (2013 class), Ross and Rominger were one of more than 30 veterans and active astronauts who attended the ceremony, many of which were also included in the Hall of Fame.
Initially, the hall was offered by six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts more than 30 years ago. Today’s nominees have not only NASA trained, but also at least 15 years before induction, to be a US citizen, to be a US citizen and to end at least one orbit around the land.
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