Two Space Shuttle Veterans Join Astronaut Hall of Fame

Two friends who walked in space, fixed the Hubble telescope, and helped build the International Space Station just received the recognition they've waited decades to earn.

Tom Akers and Joe Tanner were inducted into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame together on May 16 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ceremony happened exactly 34 years after Akers completed one of NASA's most daring spacewalks.

Their friendship started long before the ceremony. The families attended the same church near Johnson Space Center in Houston, and their kids grew up together. "We were more social friends than work friends," Akers remembered.

Their career paths almost aligned even earlier. In 1987, both men interviewed for NASA's astronaut program, but only Akers made the cut. Tanner had to wait until 1992 for his selection. "I have never understood why it took NASA so long to pick him," Akers joked during a recent interview.

Both astronauts became masters of one of spaceflight's most challenging tasks: spacewalking. Akers spent nearly 30 hours outside spacecraft across four missions, while Tanner logged 46 and a half hours over his four flights.

Their most memorable work happened on different but equally important missions. In 1992, Akers participated in the only three-person spacewalk in history, grabbing a wayward satellite with his gloved hands alongside two crewmates. Both men later performed delicate repairs on the Hubble Space Telescope, carefully handling optical instruments while floating 350 miles above Earth.

Tanner described the difference between fixing Hubble and building the space station as hands versus muscle. "Manual dexterity in your hands was more important for Hubble, and for ISS, you're hauling around some pretty big, heavy objects," he explained.

Neither expected the Hall of Fame honor. "It was something I was aware of as a possibility, but had never really given thought I would get inducted," said Akers. Tanner had been on the nominee ballot for 10 years alongside his friend.

Why This Inspires

Their story shows how excellence and friendship can walk hand in hand. While Akers got his astronaut slot first, he never stopped believing in Tanner's abilities. Years later, they stood together under the retired space shuttle Atlantis, a vehicle both had flown, receiving medals from fellow astronauts who had become their lifelong friends.

The ceremony brought together 20 veteran NASA astronauts who represent different eras of American spaceflight. Their presence reminded everyone that space exploration succeeds because of teamwork, persistence, and people who believe in each other.

Two friends who once fixed humanity's window to the universe now inspire the next generation to reach for the stars.