International Space Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and 50th Anniversary Celebration

On October 3, 2026, the New Mexico Museum of Space History will host its 50th Anniversary Gala at the Tays Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Titled “Golden Jubilee: 50 Years of Honoring Yesterday and Inspiring Tomorrow,” this special evening will pay tribute to the museum’s legacy and give a glimpse into the future. The highlight of the gala will be the induction of a new class into the International Space Hall of Fame.

Chosen from a field of 45 distinguished nominees submitted nationwide, this year’s inductees exemplify extraordinary achievements in space science and exploration. Honorees include the pioneering women of the Mercury 13, Swiss astrophysicist Michel Mayor, NASA astronauts Senator Mark Kelly and his twin brother Scott Kelly, NASA mathematician Creola Katherine Johnson, and Dolores “Dee” O’Hara, the first nurse to care for America’s astronauts.

The museum first opened its doors in 1976 as the International Space Hall of Fame, dedicated to recognizing the imagination, achievements, and determination of those who have advanced humanity’s understanding of the universe and expanded the boundaries of space exploration. Today, the Hall of Fame includes 174 inductees, including one team.

For more details about the 2026 Inductees, visit this link to read the announcement from the International Space Hall of Fame.