Two Astronauts Inducted Into NASA Hall of Fame

           
Two new astronauts were inducted into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame at The Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Saturday.         

Former astronauts Shannon W. Lucid and Jerry L. Ross were honored at the ceremony for their dedication to the space program and groundbreaking work for NASA.       

Lucid was a member of NASA's first class that included female astronauts in space exploration missions. At one time, she held the record for the longest duration stay in space by an American, as well as by a woman. She has flown in space five times including a prolonged mission aboard the Mir space station in 1996; she is the only American woman to serve aboard Mir.      

"The shuttle showed that the experience of living and working in space is not limited by gender, race, nationality or even by your specific background experience. The shuttle demonstrated almost with every flight that all types of human beings can perform extraordinary work in space," said Lucid at the ceremony.            

Ross was also honored on stage for his history-making role with NASA as the first person to be launched into space seven times.           

The induction of Ross and Lucid brings the total number of space exploring Hall of Famers to 87.


AP/LBCI