Four inducted into Astronaut Hall of Fame

A quartet of astronauts was commended for their achievements in space as the 14th Astronaut Hall of Fame class was inducted at Space Shuttle Atlantis at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Saturday afternoon.

In front of hundreds that included a bevy of former astronauts, family, friends and patrons at the park, John Grunsfeld, Steve Lindsey, Kent Rominger and Rhea Seddon were given honors on the Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary.

"You have our deepest respect for what you achieved in space," said NASA administrator Charles Bolden of the four astronauts.

Grunsfeld flew on five space shuttle missions and had logged more than 58 hours on eight spacewalks, according to NASA. In his speech, Grunsfeld remarked that he had wanted to be an astronaut since he was 6 years old, something that didn't initially excite his mother, whom he gave high praise in a speech to the crowd.

"She thought there was no chance I was going to be an astronaut, so she didn't have to worry," quipped Grunsfeld, who was inducted by Hall of Fame astronaut Steve Hawley.

Lindsey, who was inducted by Hall of Fame astronaut Michael Coats, flew on five shuttle missions and spent more than 1,500 hours in space. He also served as pilot on two flights and mission commander on three, including Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight.

His remarks focused primarily on thanking those closest to him.

"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my family," said Lindsey.

Kent Rominger, who was inducted by former astronaut and Kennedy Space Center director Robert Cabana, spent more than 1,600 hours in space, serving as a pilot on three flight and mission commander on two, with one of those being STS-96 with Discovery that featured the first docking of a shuttle to the International Space Station. Rominger said he was "very proud" to have been part of that mission.

"The first time I set foot at the Johnston Space Center, I knew it was special," said Rominger.

Lastly, Rhea Seddon was inducted poignantly by her husband, Robert "Hoot" Gibson, also a Hall of Fame astronaut, who got emotional at the end of his remarks speaking of his wife. Seddon flew on three shuttle missions and was selected as one of the first six women by NASA to enter the astronaut program in 1978.

As part of her speech, Seddon remarked on the challenges of being one of the first women in NASA.

"People wouldn't say Rhea Seddon made a mistake. They would say women couldn't do this job, so there was extra pressure on me," said Seddon.

The inductees were selected by a committee that included Hall of Fame astronauts and former NASA flight directors, officials, historians and journalists. To have been eligible, an astronaut must have made their first flight at least 17 years prior to the induction, have orbited the Earth at least one, be a NASA-Trained commander and must be a U.S. citizen.

Contact Bonanno at 321-242-3662, cbonanno@floridatoday.com or follow Chris on Twitter @FTChrisBonanno.