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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2001
Contact: Linn Burnaw, ASF 321-455-7011
Contact: Michelle Salyer, KSCVC, 321-449-4318
First Class of Space Shuttle Astronauts to be Inducted into Astronaut Hall of Fame
Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell to Host Historic Celebration at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Nov. 9-10
Kennedy Space Center, Fla. — On November 9 and 10, 2001, space fans will have the opportunity to witness the induction of America's first class of space shuttle astronauts into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, joining space heroes from Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Skylab missions. The two-day celebration will take place at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, marking the first time the Visitor Complex has hosted this prestigious event, and the first time the public has been widely invited to participate in the induction celebration. The last induction ceremony was held in 1997 for the Apollo astronauts. To date, 44 astronauts have been inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Shuttle commanders Robert L. "Bob" Crippen (STS-1, STS-7, STS-41C, STS-41G), Joe H. Engle (STS-2, STS-51I), Richard H. "Dick" Truly (STS-2, STS-8) and Frederick H. "Rick" Hauck (STS-7, STS-51A, STS-26) were selected for induction by a distinguished committee of former NASA flight directors and officials, space journalists and a space historian. The committee was appointed by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, for which Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell currently serves as Chairman.
"Space shuttle astronauts are truly unsung heroes of the space program," said Lovell. "Many people don't realize that the shuttle was the first vehicle to launch men into space without being previously flight tested unmanned. It's radically different from the spacecraft used in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions."
On Friday evening, November 9, at 7 p.m. guests will enjoy a pre-induction celebration at the critically acclaimed Apollo/Saturn V Center, the recently constructed home of one of only three existing Saturn V moon rockets in the world. The highlight of the evening will be several appearances and meet-and-greets with previously inducted Hall of Fame astronauts. Currently scheduled to appear are Mercury Astronaut Scott Carpenter; Mercury and Gemini Astronaut Gordon Cooper; Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Astronaut Wally Schirra; Gemini and Apollo Astronaut Frank Borman; Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle Astronaut John Young; Gemini and Apollo Astronaut Jim Lovell; Gemini and Apollo Astronaut Dick Gordon; Apollo Astronauts Edgar Mitchell, Rusty Schweickart and Al Worden; Apollo Soyuz and Shuttle Astronaut Vance Brand; Skylab Astronaut Bill Pogue; and Skylab and Shuttle Astronauts Paul Weitz and Owen Garriott. The bill of fare includes hand-carved roast pork loin; fresh clams and oysters; smoked salmon and Florida crab cakes; wild mushroom risotto; international and domestic cheeses; petit fours, cheesecake and chocolate fondue with fresh seasonal fruit, as well as assorted non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Musical entertainment also will be provided.
The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 10, at 2 p.m. at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Shuttle Plaza, with an inspirational backdrop of a full-size space shuttle replica. Scheduled Master of Ceremonies is CNN's Miami Bureau Chief, John Zarella; host is Jim Lovell.
Space fans may purchase the entire event package for just $85 adults, $60 children ages 3-11. Package price includes admission to the Friday evening pre-induction celebration and the Saturday afternoon induction ceremony, as well as admission to both Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and the Astronaut Hall of Fame for three full days, November 9-11. Tickets for the induction event may be purchased online at www.kennedyspacecenter.com or by phone at 321-449-4444. A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are also available.
By participating in this historic event, the astronauts also help to ensure the future of the space program - each astronaut has agreed to donate his appearance fees to the Astronaut Scholarship KSCVC/Astronaut Induction Page 3 Foundation, which provides scholarships to upper level college students and those pursuing advanced degrees in the fields of science and engineering. A nonprofit organization, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was established in 1984 as the Mercury Seven Foundation by the six surviving members of America's original Mercury Astronauts and Mrs. Betty Grissom, widow of the seventh, Gus Grissom.
"The money raised by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation ensures that America's best and brightest students have an opportunity to pursue careers in science and engineering, regardless of economic status," said Lovell. "To date, 146 students have received almost $1.5 million in scholarships from the Foundation."
For more information about the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, call 321-455-7011.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located 45 minutes east of Orlando, Florida, offers guests the opportunity to see real components of the International Space Station, relive man's moon landing at the Apollo/Saturn V Center and see space shuttle launch pads. Regular daily admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 3-11, and includes access to all exhibits, the KSC Tour of restricted areas, Astronaut Encounter, Mad Mission to Mars 2025 and IMAX® space films. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open from 9 a.m. to approximately dusk every day except December 25 and certain launch days. The Astronaut Hall of Fame is located just west of Kennedy Space Center, and features space memorabilia, authentic space hardware, and personal artifacts from America's space pioneers.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Biographies and photos of the inductees are available by logging onto http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/ahof/bios.htm