Along with the idea to build a foundation, the Mercury 7 astronauts envisioned a place where the accomplishments of astronauts could be celebrated and showcased to the public. This vision lead to the creation of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame (AHOF) in 1990, with the members of the Mercury 7 becoming the first inaugural class. As an extension of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC) experience, visitors get a glimpse into the personal side of human spaceflight through the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia. Every year, AHOF honors a new class of astronauts that have excelled in their accomplishments in space or in their contributions to the advancement of space exploration.
The celebration begins Saturday morning where this year’s inductees, James F. Buchli and Janet Kavandi, receive the ultimate honor of becoming the official next class of Hall of Fame Astronauts. The Induction Ceremony will take place at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for all to witness this special moment in time.
Following the ceremony, Saturday evening, you can feel the space race come alive as you join over 400 guests to dine under the largest rocket ever made… the mighty Saturn V. This monumental 363-foot rocket was America’s lunar transportation for 24 brave astronauts who traveled to the moon and back. This is a sight that must be seen and one worthy of the prestige that accompanies this bestowed honor. Mingle with astronauts, special guests and ASF scholars whom are the future of our nation’s STEM industry. This unique evening celebrates the history of the space program and those that have made an indelible mark on our world.
This weekend is THE place to witness the past and future of our nation!
