
Students explore aeronautical concepts during the 23rd Annual Young Astronaut Day Event held at NASA Glenn Research Center.

Former NASA astronaut Jon McBride shares a few words during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring astronaut Owen Garriott on April 18, 2019. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana is photographed at a wreath-laying ceremony honoring former astronaut Owen Garriott. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019, at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Florida spaceport’s visitor complex. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks during a wreath-laying ceremony honoring former astronaut Owen Garriott on April 18, 2019. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex in Florida. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

A photo of former astronaut Owen Garriott is displayed during a memorial ceremony at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019, at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, is photographed at a wreath-laying ceremony honoring former astronaut Owen Garriott on April 18, 2019. The ceremony was held at the Heroes and Legends exhibit within the Astronaut Hall of Fame at the center’s visitor complex in Florida. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

A memorial wreath has been placed in the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida following a ceremony honoring the memory of former astronaut Owen Garriott. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

In the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, a memorial wreath was placed following a ceremony honoring the memory of former astronaut Owen Garriott. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

In the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, a memorial wreath was placed following a ceremony honoring the memory of former astronaut Owen Garriott. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

A memorial wreath has been placed in the Heroes and Legends exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida following a ceremony honoring the memory of former astronaut Owen Garriott. The ceremony was held April 18, 2019. Garriott flew aboard the Skylab space station during the Skylab 3 mission and also on space shuttle Columbia for the STS-9/Spacelab-1 mission. He passed away April 15 at the age of 88.

Astronaut Candidate Class of 2021. Photo Date: December 3, 2021. Location: JSC Mall. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

Astronaut Candidate Class of 2021. Photo Date: December 3, 2021. Location: JSC Mall. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

NASA 2021 Astronaut Candidate Announcement at Ellington Field. Photo Date: December 6, 2021. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 135. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

NASA 2021 Astronaut Candidate Announcement at Ellington Field. Photo Date: December 6, 2021. Location: Ellington Field - Hangar 135. Photographer: Robert Markowitz.

jsc2024e044936 (July 9, 2007) --- NASA astronaut Stephanie Wilson poses for a photo in a studio at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Wilson will serve as a mission specialist for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, her fourth trip to space.

NASA Astronaut Nicole Mann becomes familiar with the spacecraft and its displays during a training at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California.

NASA's African American astronauts

S61-03510 (1961) --- Project Mercury astronaut M. Scott Carpenter smiles, in his pressure suit, prior to participating in a simulated mission run at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Astronaut Carpenter has been selected as the prime pilot on the United States second attempt to put a man into orbit around Earth. Photo credit: NASA

Challenger Astronauts Memorialized on the Moon

S90-34031 (1990) --- Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman.

jsc2025e074864 (September 16, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Yuri Kubo poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Kubo was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074866 (September 16, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Imelda Muller poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Muller was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074719 (September 15, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Erin Overcash poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Overcash was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074718 (September 15, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Cameron Jones poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Jones was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074862 (September 16, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Katherine Spies poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Spies was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074863 (September 16, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Lauren Edgar poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Edgar was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074720 (September 15, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Ben Bailey poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Bailey was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074717 (September 15, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Adam Fuhrmann poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Fuhrmann was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

jsc2025e074865 (September 16, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Anna Menon poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Menon was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

S64-31852 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Astronaut James A. McDivitt

S85-41885 (Oct 1985) --- Astronaut Robert D. Cabana, Astronaut Candidate Group 11.

Former astronauts and space explorers Scott D. Altman, at left, and Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2018 during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. They unveiled their plaques, which will be placed in Hall of Fame at the visitor complex. At far right is Master of Ceremonies, John Zarella, former CNN space correspondent. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Former astronauts and space explorers Scott D. Altman, at left, and Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2018 during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. They unveiled their plaques, which will be placed in the Hall of Fame at the visitor complex. At far right is Master of Ceremonies, John Zarella, former CNN space correspondent. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Former astronauts and space explorers, Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., and Scott D. Altman, front row, center, left and right, respectively, were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2018 during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. They are standing with previous Hall of Famers, including, Curt Brown, back row, far left, chairman of the board, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. Brown performed the induction ceremony. Also in the group is former astronaut and NASA administrator Charlie Bolden, in the center, behind Jones and Altman. In the back row, second from left is John Grunsfeld, who spoke on behalf of Altman during the ceremony. Directly behind Altman is Storey Musgrave, who spoke on behalf of Jones during the ceremony. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Date: 12/06/2021 Location: Ellington Field Subject: 2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class Announcement Photographer: James Blair

Date: 12/06/2021 Location: Ellington Field Subject: 2021 NASA Astronaut Candidate Class Announcement Photographer: James Blair

Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., in the center, is inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. At left, Hall of Famer Curt Brown, board chairman, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), inducts Jones into the Hall of Fame Class of 2018. At right is Hall of Famer Storey Musgrave, who spoke on Jones behalf during the ceremony. Also inducted was retired astronaut Scott D. Altman. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Kelvin Manning, associate director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, welcomes guests to the 2018 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) Induction inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC). Two veteran space explorers were inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2018. They are Scott D. Altman and Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

S64-31845 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Portrait of astronaut Eugene A. Cernan in civilian clothes with model of Gemini spacecraft and launch vehicle on table in front of him. Photo credit: NASA

Scott D. Altman, second from left, is inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. At far left, Hall of Famer Curt Brown, board chairman, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), inducts Altman into the Hall of Fame Class of 2018. At right is Hall of Famer John Grunsfeld, who spoke on Altman's behalf during the ceremony. At far right is Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., who also was inducted into the AHOF Class of 2018. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, two space explorers, Scott D. Altman, second from left, and Thomas D. Jones, Ph.D., far right, are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2018. At far left is Hall of Famer Curt Brown, board chairman, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, who inducted Altman and Jones into the AHOF. Second from right is Hall of Famer John Grunsfeld, who spoke on behalf of Altman during the ceremony. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 97 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

S71-52264 (1971) --- Astronaut Joseph P. Kerwin. Photo credit: NASA

S71-52275 (1971) --- Astronaut Edward G. Gibson. Photo credit: NASA

S86-38100 (2 Oct. 1986) --- Astronaut Vance D. Brand.

S71-51282 (1971) --- Astronaut Gerald P. Carr. Photo credit: NASA

S93-48446 (Nov 1993) --- Astronaut Mark C. Lee.

S94-26084 (20 Jan. 1994) --- Astronaut Andrew M. Allen, pilot.

S92-45896 (21 Sept 1992) --- Astronaut Ronald M. Sega.

S90-45098 (November 1990) --- Astronaut Richard O. Covey.

S92-42896 (7 Aug. 1992) --- Astronaut Thomas D. Akers.

S71-51263 (21 Sept. 1971) --- Astronaut Vance D. Brand.

jsc2025e074721 (September 15, 2025) --- NASA astronaut candidate Rebecca “Becky” Lawler poses for a portrait at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Lawler was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class and reported for duty in September 2025. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

S64-31816 (10 Sept. 1964) --- Astronaut R. Walter Cunningham.

Former astronauts and space explorers, second from left, Mark Kelly, and Roy D. Bridges were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2023 during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on May 6, 2023. They are surrounded by previous Hall of Fame inductees. Hall of Famer Curt Brown, chairman of the board, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation performed the induction ceremony. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Altman and Jones, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Roy D. Bridges Jr. is inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) by Hall of Fame astronaut Dave Leestma during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on May 6, 2023. Also inducted into the AHOF Class of 2023 was retired astronaut Mark Kelly. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

S71-51307 (21 Sept. 1971) --- Astronaut Paul J. Weitz. Photo credit: NASA

S92-42897 (7 August 1992) --- Astronaut Kathryn C. Thornton, mission specialist

S85-41894 (Oct 1985) --- Astronaut Charles D. Gemar, ASCAN Group 11.

JSC2004-E-32185 (5 May 2004) --- Astronaut Scott D. Altman, commander

S86-29527 (February 1986) --- Astronaut Steven R. Nagel. Photo credit: NASA

Portrait of Astronaut Frank L. Culbertson dressed in an orange launch/entry suit with his helmet on the table in front of him.

S94-25739 (16 Dec. 1989) --- Astronaut John H. Casper. Photo credit: NASA

Students at South Hancock Elementary School in Bay St. Louis, Miss., gather around Orbie the Astronaut on May 19 as teacher Sarah Ladner affixes a nameplate to the Stennis Space Center mascot. Members of the third-grade class won a contest to name the inflatable astronaut. Some 20 schools in Louisiana and Mississippi participated in the contest.

Roy D. Bridges Jr. is inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on May 6, 2023. Also inducted into the AHOF Class of 2023 was retired astronaut Mark Kelly. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Roy D. Bridges Jr. speaks to guests after he is inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on May 6, 2023. Also inducted into the AHOF Class of 2023 was retired astronaut Mark Kelly. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Mark Kelly, at left, is inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) by NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, at the podium, during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on May 6, 2023. Also inducted in the AHOF Class of 2023 was retired astronaut Roy D. Bridges Jr. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Mark Kelly, speaks to guests after his induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) by NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, during a ceremony inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida on May 6, 2023. Also inducted in the AHOF Class of 2023 was retired astronaut Roy D. Bridges Jr. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

jsc2025e076292 (09/22/2025) --- NASA 2025 Astronaut Candidate (ASCAN) Announcement Ceremony Photo Date: 09/22/2025 Location: JSC B2 - Teague Auditorium Photo Credit: NASA - Helen Arase Vargas

NASA astronauts on Mars in this illustration. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA24031

Views of Astronaut Dr. Philip K. Chapman training in the Lunar Module (LM) Simulator, Centrifuge, and the Apollo Mission Simulator. MSC

Former NASA astronaut Leland Melvin moderates a panel with former NASA Administrator and astronaut, Charlie Bolden; former NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, European astronaut and professor, Institute of Space Systems, Reinhold Ewald; Roscosmos cosmonaut and executive director for piloted spaceflights, Sergey Krikalev; and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, André Kuipers during the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

jsc2025e075922_alt (September 17, 2025) --- NASA announced its 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class on Sept. 22, 2025. The 10 candidates, pictured here at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston are: U.S. Air Force Maj. Adam Fuhrmann, U.S. Air Force Maj. Cameron Jones, U.S. Army CW3 Ben Bailey, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash, Katherine Spies, Anna Menon, Yuri Kubo, Dr. Lauren Edgar, Rebecca Lawler, and Dr. Imelda Muller. Credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson speaks to guests during the 2023 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) Induction inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 6, 2023. Two veteran space explorers were inducted into the AHOF Class of 2023. They are Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Mark Kelly. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, two space explorers, from left, Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Mark Kelly, are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Kelvin Manning, deputy director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, speaks to guests during the 2023 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) Induction inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 6, 2023. Two veteran space explorers were inducted into the AHOF Class of 2023. They are Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Mark Kelly. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Howard Schwartz, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex vice president of Operations and Guest Engagement, speaks to guests during the 2023 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) Induction inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 6, 2023. Two veteran space explorers were inducted into the AHOF Class of 2023. They are Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Mark Kelly. Inductees into the Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials, flight directors, historians and journalists. The process is administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. To be eligible, an astronaut must have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen and a NASA-trained commander, pilot, or mission specialist who has orbited the earth at least once. Including Bridges and Kelly, 107 astronauts have been inducted into the AHOF.

Official portrait of astronaut candidate Kenneth D. Cockrell, a member of Astronaut Class 13 (1990) and a space shuttle pilot candidate. Cockrell wears a navy blue flight suit and holds space shuttle model.

Former NASA Administrator and astronaut, Charlie Bolden speaks during an astronaut panel discussion at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

European astronaut and professor, Institute of Space Systems, Reinhold Ewald, speaks during an astronaut panel discussion at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former NASA Administrator and astronaut, Charlie Bolden speaks during an astronaut panel discussion at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Former NASA astronaut Mary Cleave speaks during an astronaut panel discussion at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, André Kuipers, speaks during an astronaut panel discussion at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Photo credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

S91-48165 (3 Oct 1991) --- Astronaut Donald A. Thomas.

S90-45388 (August 1990) --- Astronaut Leroy Chiao, mission specialist.

NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, is seen during a panel discussion with Rick Armstrong, son of Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and John Logsdon, Apollo historian and Professor Emeritus at George Washington University, at the International Astronautical Federation World Space Award highlight lecture at the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. The 2019 World Space Award was presented to the crew of Apollo 11. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Astronaut John H. Glenn sits in a car in front of the east side of the Mercury Mission Control building. Glenn was the pilot for the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission aboard Friendship 7, which launched Feb. 20, 1962.
Plaque on Spirit Honors Columbia Astronauts

S85-36058 (1985) --- Astronaut Frederick H. "Rick" Hauck

S84-44219 (20 July 1984) --- Astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan.

S93-42398 (9 October 1987) --- Astronaut Kenneth S. Reightler, Jr.

S84-42271 (24 Sept. 1984) --- Astronaut Robert L. Gibson.

S92-44926 (September 1992) --- Astronaut Scott E. Parazynski, mission specialist.

S92-44930 (8 Aug 1992) - Astronaut Jerry M. Linenger.

S91-35916 (1 May 1991) --- Astronaut Sidney M. Gutierrez.

S90-26968 (January 1990) --- Astronaut Linda M. Godwin.

S94-28019 (16 Feb 1994) --- Astronaut Kevin P. Chilton.

S94-38174 (30 June 1994) --- Astronaut Susan J. Helms.

S81-29032 (1981) --- Astronaut Dr. Owen K. Garriott.

S86-37233 (Sept 1986) - Astronaut Charles F. Bolden, Jr.

S90-45390 (August 1990) --- Astronaut Susan J. Helms, mission specialist.