​ Rhea Seddon, M.D., to be Inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 27, 2015)-- On May 30, 2015, Rhea Seddon, M.D., will be the ​ ​ eighth woman inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame during a public ceremony held at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction. ​ ​

The 2015 Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. The ceremony is open to the public and admittance to the ceremony is included in admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other activities for induction weekend include the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction ​ Gala on May 29, 2015, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and and the debut of ​ Dr. Seddon’s book “Go For Orbit” at two book signings. The book will then be available at AstronautRheaSeddon.com. ​

Dr. Seddon is one of four astronauts selected for this year’s honors. Other inductees include John Grunsfeld, Ph. D., Steven Lindsey and Kent Rominger. These astronauts are the 14th ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ class to be inducted and join the ranks of 87 others in the Hall of Fame including John Glen, Sally Ride and Neil Armstrong.

Fellow astronaut, current Hall of Fame member and husband, Capt. Robert “Hoot” Gibson, is presenting Dr. Seddon for induction. For the first time in history, a husband and wife will be on the stage together.

“Being inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame is a wonderful and unexpected honor. As a scientist, I believe it is recognition of the important role of scientific research on the Space Shuttle. I look forward to being a part of this outstanding group of men and women and supporting the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation,” Dr. Seddon said. ​ ​

Dr. Seddon is veteran of three space shuttle flights, and spent 19 years with the National ​ Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 1978 she was selected as one of the first six women to enter the Astronaut Program. On her final flight, STS-58/Columbia, Seddon was payload commander in charge of all science activities. This life science research flight was recognized by NASA as one of the most successful and efficient Spacelab mission ever flown. She has spent a total of 30 days in space.

-more- After leaving NASA in 1997, Dr. Seddon was the Assistant Chief Medical Officer of the Vanderbilt Medical Group in Nashville for 11 years, then worked with LifeWings Partners, LLC and is now a popular speaker.

th The Hall of Fame celebrates its 25 ​ anniversary this year. It was established in the 1980s by ​ the Mercury astronauts as a place where space pioneers could be honored and remembered. The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame tells in a unique way the history of human space flight and features the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia.

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News from the Offices of Astronaut Rhea Seddon | For information contact: ​ ​ Stephanie Huffman (615) 491­3653 stephanie@your­epiphany.com www.astronautrheaseddon.com