U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame® at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
to Welcome Veteran NASA Astronauts Bernard Harris to the 2025 Class of Honorees
Induction scheduled for May 31, 2025
CAPE CANAVERAL (January 28, 2025) – KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s Curt Brown has announced the 2025 U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees. Veteran NASA astronaut Bernard Harris will join the 109 astronauts who have been inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, located at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
“The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame welcomes exceptional and trailblazing veteran of the space program who contributed significantly to NASA’s mission and program,” said Curt Brown, board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which stewards the selection process. “Harris continues to serve as an exemplary role model in his post-NASA career. What a tremendous honor to induct him into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.”
An official ceremony and gala will take place at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on May 31, 2025. Set against the historic and stunning backdrop of the Space Shuttle Atlantis®, the ceremony will be attended by a number of astronaut legends. Following the induction, the newest Hall of Fame members will be celebrated at an evening black-tie event hosted by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
Harris had a career with NASA beyond the time he served as an astronaut, working with NASA for 10 years. Currently, Harris works in the venture capital field.
Since 1986, Dr. Harris has served the space program, at NASA Ames Space Flight Center, NASA Johnson Space Flight Center and NASA Headquarters in various roles as research scientist, flight surgeon, astronaut, and advisor. During his NASA career, Dr. Bernard Harris conducted research in musculoskeletal physiology and clinical investigations of space adaptation, where he developed in-flight medical devices to extend Astronaut stays in space.
A veteran astronaut for more than thirty years, Harris served as mission specialist on STS-55 and was the Payload Commander on STS-63. He has logged more than 438 hours and traveled more than 7.2 million miles in space.
On February 9, 1995, Harris became the first African American to perform an extra-vehicular activity during the second of his two Space Shuttle flights.
Harris is currently CEO & Managing Partner of Vesalius Ventures, Inc. – a venture capital firm, that invests in early to mid-stage Healthcare technologies and companies. Previously, he served as CEO and Executive Director of the National Math & Science Initiative, leading the organization’s efforts to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement in communities across the country. He has been involved in math and science education for more than 25 years through his philanthropy as founder of the Harris Institute & Foundation.
A member of the Board of Directors for Raytheon Technologies, MassMutual, Solventum and U.S. Physical Therapy, Harris also served as a Board Director/Trustee for Salient Midstream & MLP Fund and Salient MF Trust, Barings Fund and BBDC. Additionally, he is on the nonprofit boards of the Texas Medical Center (past Chair), the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and the Harris Institute & Foundation.
Harris earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Houston, a Master of Medical Science from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston and a Doctorate of Medicine from Texas Tech University School of Medicine. Harris completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, a National Research Council Fellowship in Endocrinology at the NASA Ames Research Center and trained as a Flight Surgeon at the Aerospace School of Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base. He is also a licensed private pilot and certified scuba diver.
Harris has received numerous prestigious awards. Among them are nine honorary doctorates, two NASA Space Flight Medal, the NASA Award of Merit, the National Space Grant Distinguished Services Award and the James Bryant Conant Award. He also is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the recipient of the 2000 Horatio Alger Award and 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition to his other notable accomplishments, Harris is the author of “Dream Walker: A Journey of Achievement and Inspiration” and “Embracing Infinite Possibilities: Letting Go Of Fear To Find Your Highest Potential”.
Awards & Honors