posted 01-21-2009 03:47 PM               

The first American to command five space missions, the first commander of the International Space Station (ISS) and a member of the first repair team to service a satellite on-orbit will be enshrined this May in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

James Wetherbee, William Shepherd and George "Pinky" Nelson were confirmed on Wednesday by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation as comprising the eighth group of space shuttle astronauts to be named to the Hall. A gala and an induction ceremony will be hosted at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, home to the Hall of Fame, on May 1-2, 2009.

posted 01-25-2009 01:57 PM               

For those of you who haven't attended the AHOF induction and dinner, let me tell you that it is always a wonderful time.

posted 03-20-2009 10:41 PM               

Just be sure to get to your table ASAP once at the Apollo/Saturn V Center so you can get a seat facing the stage.

posted 03-27-2009 02:34 PM               

If you already have tickets for the gala dinner or else you would have to pay the full $70 package price for the bus tour.

And per the KSC web site:

Guided bus tours are assigned at random. Special requests for a specific astronaut guide will not be fulfilled.

posted 04-11-2009 02:02 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by BMckay:
The HOF inductions on Saturday are at the Visitor Center not at the Saturn Five Center.

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Though it has been a unique experience to watch the past five induction ceremonies from under the Saturn V it is great news that this year's ceremony will be held back at the VC. Waiting for the crowded bus ride back to the VC from the Apollo/Saturn V Center after those ceremonies made for a tiresome ending to a long day.

The info I received states that the ceremony will be held at "NASA Central". If that's under the shelter of the old Astronaut Encounter area it would be the best outside location, especially if a downpour occurs like in 2003.

Regardless, I'll have to travel home after the ceremony and won't be able to attend any Saturday night festivities as suggested by Bryan but since it is the 10th anniversary of cS, and the 40th of a few others, I think it'd be great to get all cSers in attendance to at least pose for a group photo sometime on Saturday before the ceremony.

Any takers?

posted 04-17-2009 04:00 PM               

Blaha is giving three public presentations on Sunday but the info doesn't state if he'll be signing.

posted 04-27-2009 02:28 PM               

For those who can't be there, NASA TV is airing the induction ceremony:

NASA TV to Air U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction May 2

NASA Television will provide live coverage of the 2009 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Saturday, May 2, at 3 p.m. EDT. The ceremony will take place at NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

Joining the hall of fame this year are former astronauts George "Pinky" Nelson, one of only four space shuttle astronauts to fly untethered in space using NASA's Manned Maneuvering Unit; William Shepherd, commander of the first crew to live aboard the International Space Station; and Jim Wetherbee, commander of the longest docked shuttle-Mir mission.

CNN reporter John Zarrella will host the event. More than 20 hall of fame astronauts are expected to attend, including Scott Carpenter, Walt Cunningham, Jim Lovell and Bob Crippen.