Astronauts Tom Akers and Joe Tanner Inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, the space exploration community gathered at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to honor two legendary figures in American spaceflight. Astronauts Tom Akers and Joe Tanner were officially inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, recognizing their remarkable contributions to NASA’s mission of exploration and their distinguished careers in orbit.

Honoring a Legacy of Exploration

The induction ceremony, held on the lower level of the Space Shuttle Atlantis® exhibit, celebrated the careers of two men who were instrumental in some of the most challenging missions in shuttle history. The event featured remarks from leadership within the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and NASA, highlighting not only the professional achievements of the inductees but also their ongoing impact as educators and mentors.

Tom Akers, who was selected for the NASA astronaut program in 1987, was honored for a career defined by technical excellence and adaptability. His mission history includes serving as a crewmember during the deployment of the Ulysses spacecraft on STS-41 and playing a critical role during the STS-49 mission. During that flight, Akers participated in the first and only three-person extravehicular activity (EVA) in history, which successfully captured the stranded Intelsat VI satellite.

Joe Tanner, also recognized for his extensive service, played a pivotal role in the assembly and maintenance of critical space infrastructure. His work included significant repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the complex assembly of the International Space Station (ISS), including the installation of its large backbone truss and solar array wings.

Reflecting on the Demands of Spacewalks

Reflecting on his experiences, Akers noted the inherent challenges of conducting complex operations in the vacuum of space. “All of our spacewalks are designed really for two people. the system really isn’t made where it’s easy for three people,” Akers said. “That was a unique situation where we couldn’t get the capture bar on the Intelsat VI, and the ground [controllers] and our crew came up with the idea of three people going out. With the teamwork and great ground team support, it worked slick.”

Tanner, who logged 43 days in space with 46 and a half hours of EVA time, highlighted the distinct physical demands of different types of missions. “I have often been asked what is the difference between ISS and an HST EVA [extravehicular activity], and I think it’s hands and overall physical effort,” Tanner explained. “Manual dexterity in your hands was more important for HST, and for ISS, you’re hauling around some pretty big, heavy objects and maneuvering a long way.”

Key Takeaways from the 2026 Induction

• Distinguished Careers: Both Akers and Tanner were recognized for their decades of service, including critical repair and construction missions that shaped the modern space program.
• Professional Recognition: The induction was led by notable figures including Curt Brown, board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, and featured formal presentations by fellow astronauts Brian Duffy and Chris Ferguson.
• Ongoing Tradition: The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, which now includes 111 other plaques, remains a central feature of the Heroes & Legends attraction, preserving the history of those who have advanced human spaceflight.

As the ceremony concluded, the unveiling of etched-glass portraits and mission patch displays solidified the place of Akers and Tanner among the ranks of the most influential American astronauts. Their induction serves as a reminder of the rigorous training, teamwork, and technical expertise required to push the boundaries of discovery in the final frontier.