Two space shuttle-era spacewalkers enter Astronaut Hall of Fame

Veteran astronauts Tom Akers and Joe Tanner, two prominent figures from the space shuttle era, have been honored together with their induction into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 16. The duo's paths could have intertwined even earlier in NASA's history, as Tanner, who arrived at the Johnson Space Center in 1984 for a role as an instructor pilot, aimed to join the astronaut candidate selection that year. Akers, who was selected in the astronaut class of 1987, humorously recalled their different trajectories during a joint interview. "I have never understood why it took NASA so long to pick him," Akers joked, as Tanner reflected on his own journey, which led to him becoming an astronaut in 1992. Despite overlapping careers of five years, where both astronauts completed four missions each, they never flew together in space. However, their camaraderie flourished through numerous T-38 jet training flights and personal connections, including attending the same church and being family friends. The induction took place at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, under the iconic space shuttle Atlantis, which both astronauts flew. Reflecting on the moment, Akers expressed surprise and gratitude, stating, "It was a pleasant surprise for sure." Tanner added that he had been on the nominee ballot with Akers for a decade, highlighting the significance of their long-awaited recognition. The ceremony also marked the 34th anniversary of Akers' notable mission, during which he participated in a historic three-person spacewalk aboard the Endeavour, securing a communications satellite with his crewmates, Rick Hieb and Pierre Thuot. This milestone in space exploration continues to resonate as both astronauts are celebrated for their contributions to NASA's legacy.