Two space shuttle-era spacewalkers enter Astronaut Hall of Fame

“All of our spacewalks are designed really for two people; the system really isn’t made where it’s easy for three people,” Akers told collectSPACE. “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.”

Akers and Tanner both conducted spacewalks to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), carefully manipulating delicate optical instruments in a closely confined area. Tanner also helped assemble the large backbone truss and solar arrays wings for the International Space Station (ISS).

“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,” said Tanner. “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. That’s the biggest difference.”

In total, Akers spent almost 30 hours of his nearly 34 days in space conducting spacewalks. Tanner logged 43 days, including 46 and a half hours on EVAs.

Joining the ranks

Saturday’s ceremony was led by news correspondent John Zarella and included remarks by Curt Brown, board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which manages the nominee and selection process each year; Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the visitor complex; and Kelvin Manning, deputy director for NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

“Today’s induction of Tom Akers and Joe Tanner honors two astronauts whose careers embody excellence, leadership, and service,” said Brown, who became a NASA astronaut in the same class as Akers and flew with Tanner on Atlantis. “Their lasting contributions to NASA, and their ongoing work as educators and mentors, reflect the very best of the US space program.”

“We’re proud to welcome them into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame,” said Brown, who is a member of the 2013 class.

Brian Duffy, class of 2016, formally inducted Akers, presenting him with his Hall of Fame medal. Chris Ferguson, who flew as the pilot of Tanner’s last mission, STS-115, and who was inducted in 2022, honored his former crewmate similarly. Some 20 veteran NASA astronauts, including 15 other Hall of Fame members, attended the event.

The ceremony also included the unveiling of the etched-glass portraits and mission patch displays, which will next hang alongside the 111 other similar plaques representing the inductees. Founded in 1990, the US Astronaut Hall of Fame has been a feature of the Heroes & Legends attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex since 2016.