Inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at NASAs Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, 2 space explorers, from left, Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Mark Kelly, are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Class of 2023 on May 6. Credit: NASA/Chris Chamberland
Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Senator Mark E. Kelly were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, bringing the total number of members to 107.
Both astronauts have made significant contributions to NASAs mission of expedition and discovery, with a combined 60 days in space. Bridges served as the pilot aboard the area shuttle bus Challenger on the STS-51F mission, while Kelly is a retired NASA astronaut with 4 area shuttle bus missions under his belt.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis tourist attraction worked as the background for the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction event on May 6 at NASAs Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. In attendance was NASA Administrator Bill Nelson as former astronauts Roy D. Bridges Jr. and Senator Mark E. Kelly were inducted as the class of 2023. This years induction brings the total variety of AHOF members to 107.
By Linda Herridge, NASAs John F. Kennedy Space
May 13, 2023
” As NASA astronauts, Mark Kelly and Roy D. Bridges Jr. attempted us to keep looking upward and pressing outside into the unknown. After their time exploring the paradises, both continued to serve NASA and our country,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Americans and individuals from worldwide will continue to pertain to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Lots of are members of the Artemis Generation who will find limitless motivation in the stories of NASAs legendary explorers, adventurers, and pioneers.”
Master of Ceremonies John Zarrella praised the conscripts for showing exceptional achievements in advancing NASAs mission of exploration and discovery. Together, Bridges and Kelly have a combined 60 days in area.
” Today we celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of not simply two astronauts, however two really accomplished leaders who have devoted their lives to serving this nation,” said Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Kelvin Manning. “This early morning, I speak for the men and women of the Kennedy Space Center to offer congratulations to General Bridges and Senator Kelly, and furthermore, to sincerely thank you for your management.”
Throughout the event, Bridges and Kelly each received a main medal before being inducted as a member of the 22nd class of astronauts by previous NASA astronaut Hall of Famer Curt Brown, board chairman, Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).
Hall of Famer David Leestma provided Bridges with his official medal.
” I delighted in the lots of possibilities that I needed to not only fly in area but contribute as a leader of some great organizations in the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and Industry that have actually made fantastic advances in our expedition and usage of space for all mankind,” Bridges stated. “Thank you to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for this honor. I never expected to be on this phase.”
Official NASA picture of Astronaut Roy D. Bridges Jr., pilot. Handled December 15, 1980. Credit: NASA
Roy D. Bridges Jr. (U.S. Air Force Major General, NASA astronaut) retired
Roy D. Bridges Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but matured in Gainesville, Georgia. He is a prominent graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he made a bachelors degree in engineering science. Bridges received a Master of Science in astronautics from Purdue University in Indiana, and in May 2001, he got an honorary Doctor of Engineering from Purdue.
Bridges was director of NASAs Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, from August 2003 till October 3, 2005. Prior to that, he was director of Kennedy Space Center in Florida for 6 years.
As a NASA astronaut, Bridges functioned as the pilot aboard area shuttle Challenger on the STS-51F mission, also referred to as Spacelab 2, which introduced on July 29, 1985, and landed eight days in the future Aug. 6. Bridges and his crew members brought the Spacelab 2 module– a payload that consisted of scientific instruments devoted to life sciences, plasma physics, astronomy, high-energy astrophysics, solar physics, climatic physics, and technology research study.
Bridges is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, consisting of NASAs Outstanding Leadership Medal and the Presidential Meritorious Executive Award.
Bridges retired as director of Langley and from NASA in 2005.
NASA Deputy Administrator and Hall of Famer Pam Melroy provided Kelly with his official medal.
” Its an honor to be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame today,” Kelly said. “To have actually played a little part in the worlds biggest space program is an advantage. To have been singled out for this recognition is a true honor. Ill constantly be happy to have actually belonged to the shuttle program, and being the leader of Endeavour when it touched down safely for the last time.”
Authorities NASA portrait of Astronaut Mark Kelly. Handled January 5, 2005. Credit: NASA
Senator Mark E. Kelly, (Captain, U.S. Navy, NASA astronaut) retired
Mark E. Kelly was born in Orange, New Jersey, and raised in West Orange. He received a Bachelor of Science in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1986. He received a masters degree in aerial engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in 1994.
Kelly was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. He is the twin bro of Scott J. Kelly, also a retired NASA astronaut and Hall of Famer.
Kelly has accumulated more than 5,000 hours in more than 50 various airplane, and has more than 375 provider landings.
Kellys first journey into space was as pilot of STS-108 aboard space shuttle bus Endeavour in December 2001, the last shuttle mission that year. STS-108 delivered more than 3 heaps of equipment, materials, and a fresh team to the International Space Station. Kelly helped utilize the shuttle buss robotic arm to raise the Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module from the payload bay and attach it to a berth on the area stations Unity node.
Kelly functioned as pilot again on STS-121 aboard Discovery in July 2006, the second “Return to Flight” mission following the loss of Columbia in 2003. The objective provided the European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Reiter from Germany to the area station.
Kellys first objective as leader was STS-124 aboard space shuttle Discovery. Kelly and his team delivered the pressurized module for the Kibo laboratory to the space station. Kelly served again as commander for STS-134 aboard the final flight of space shuttle bus Endeavour in May 2011.
Throughout shuttle bus objectives, Kelly took a trip more than 225 million miles, and orbited the Earth about 754 times over more than 51 days.
Kelly is wed to previous U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
The 2023 conscripts were selected by a committee of Hall of Fame astronauts, previous NASA authorities, flight historians, reporters, and directors. To be qualified, an astronaut needs to have made his or her first flight at least 17 years before the induction and have actually been retired from NASA for at least five years.
The ASF has actually granted more than $8 million to more than 700 college trainees learning science, mathematics, innovation, and engineering, or STEM, research studies.
Both astronauts have made significant contributions to NASAs mission of expedition and discovery, with a combined 60 days in space. Bridges served as the pilot aboard the space shuttle Challenger on the STS-51F objective, while Kelly is a retired NASA astronaut with four area shuttle bus missions under his belt. The Space Shuttle Atlantis destination served as the background for the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame induction event on May 6 at NASAs Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.” I delighted in the lots of opportunities that I had to not only fly in space but contribute as a leader of some terrific organizations in the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and Industry that have actually made fantastic advances in our exploration and use of area for all humankind,” Bridges stated. Kellys first journey into area was as pilot of STS-108 aboard space shuttle Endeavour in December 2001, the final shuttle mission that year.