posted 01-08-2026 12:05 PM               

U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame to Welcome Veteran NASA Astronauts Joe Tanner and Tom Akers

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has announced that veteran NASA astronauts Tom Akers and Joe Tanner will be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, located at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Akers and Tanner will join the distinguished group of American space pioneers whose careers helped shape the Space Shuttle Program, International Space Station assembly, and some of NASA's most complex and historic missions.

"The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame welcomes two distinguished astronauts whose careers exemplify excellence, leadership, and service to human spaceflight," said Curt Brown, chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. "Joe Tanner and Tom Akers made lasting contributions to NASA and the advancement of our nation's space program, and both have continued to extend their impact beyond NASA as educators and mentors. Their dedication and commitment reflect the very best of the astronaut corps, and we are honored to induct them into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex."

The official induction ceremony and gala will take place at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 16, 2026, set against the iconic backdrop of Space Shuttle Atlantis, and hosted by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. The event will bring together astronaut legends, scholars, industry leaders, and space enthusiasts to celebrate the newest Hall of Fame inductees.

Both Akers and Tanner served NASA in critical leadership and operational roles beyond their spaceflights, helping to shape mission success, astronaut training, and future exploration initiatives. Akers served NASA for a decade as an astronaut and senior leader, supporting shuttle software development, EVA procedures, and mission operations, and holding key management roles including acting deputy director of flight crew operations and deputy director of mission operations.

Following their NASA careers, both have remained deeply committed to education, mentorship, and STEM advocacy. Tanner worked at NASA for more than two decades, contributing as a research pilot, flight instructor, Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Branch Chief, and Mission Management Team astronaut, and later supporting advanced exploration projects including the Altair Lunar Lander.

posted 01-09-2026 09:40 PM               

Astronaut Hall of Fame to honor veteran spacewalkers Akers and Tanner in May

Two veteran NASA spacewalkers are being honored with their induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame this spring.

Tom Akers and Joe Tanner, who each flew on four space shuttle missions, will take to the stage at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, where they be hailed for their service to the space program. The May 16 public ceremony will be held under the display of the orbiter Atlantis, Tanner's first and Akers' last ride into Earth orbit.