Akers and Tanner Join Astronaut Hall of Fame Together, Recalling Historic Three‑Person Spacewalk

TL;DR: Tom Akers and Joe Tanner were inducted together into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 16, marking a long‑awaited reunion. The ceremony also commemorated the 34‑year anniversary of Akers’ landing from STS‑49, during which he performed the only three‑person spacewalk in history.

Context Akers and Tanner first crossed paths at Johnson Space Center in the mid‑1980s. Tanner arrived as an instructor pilot in 1984 and later applied for the 1987 astronaut class, the same year Akers was selected. Though Tanner was not chosen that round, he eventually joined NASA in 1992. Over their careers each flew four shuttle missions, logged hundreds of T‑38 training flights together, and attended the same church, turning professional contacts into lasting friendships.

Key Facts The joint induction took place on May 16, 2026, placing Akers and Tanner in the Hall of Fame’s class of 2026. Tanner recalled in a joint interview that he “interviewed for the 1987 astronaut class that Tom Akers joined, but I didn’t.” Akers landed aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on May 16, 1992, after completing STS‑49. During that mission he, Rick Hieb, and Pierre Thuot conducted the only three‑person extravehicular activity ever performed, manually capturing a communications satellite in the orbiter’s payload bay.

What It Means The Hall of Fame honor recognizes Akers’ unique EVA achievement and Tanner’s enduring contributions to astronaut training and flight operations. The three‑person spacewalk remains a singular event in NASA history, underscoring the rarity and complexity of such operations. Their joint induction highlights how personal connections can persist across decades of spaceflight service.

Watch for the next Hall of Fame ceremony in 2028, where the current astronaut class will be considered for induction, and for any future milestones that might add to the list of unprecedented spacewalks.