Dr. Bernard Harris will be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame.
The Temple, TX, native graduated from the University of Houston in 1978 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. He then attended medical school at Texas Tech University and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic in 1985, followed by a fellowship at NASA’s Ames Research Center, according to a news release.
Dr. Harris joined NASA as a clinical scientist and flight surgeon. He remained with the agency from 1990 to 2010, and during his tenure, he became an astronaut and served as a mission specialist on STS-55 (1993) and the groundbreaking STS-63 flight in 1995, which made him the first African American to walk in space. In total, Dr. Harris has spent 18 days in space and has flown seven million miles, he notes on his LinkedIn.
“Space exploration has always been about pushing boundaries, inspiring future generations, and proving that the impossible is achievable,” Dr. Harris said in a news release. “I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given.”
Harris will be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame alongside former astronaut Peggy Whitson on May 31 — now in company with 109 other astronauts — at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, FL.
“This recognition reflects the incredible support, mentorship, and opportunities I’ve had throughout my journey—from NASA to my colleagues, mentors, and all those who have inspired me along the way,” Dr. Harris wrote on LinkedIn. “I’m also thrilled to celebrate my fellow NASA astronaut, Peggy Whitson, whose extraordinary accomplishments continue to push the boundaries of human spaceflight. Her dedication and pioneering spirit are an inspiration to us all.”
Curt Brown, board chairman of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, commented in a news release:
“The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame welcomes two exceptional and trailblazing veterans of the space program who contributed significantly to NASA’s mission and program. Harris and Whitson continue to serve as exemplary role models in their post-NASA careers. What a tremendous honor to induct them into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.”
Beyond Nasa, Dr. Harris has made it his mission to empower communities. Between 2018 and 2023, he worked to empower children in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as the chief executive officer of the National Math and Science Initiative. Additionally, he started a Houston-based foundation assisting socially and economically disadvantaged communities in education, health, and wellness. He also is an investor in medical technologies and devices through Vesalius Ventures, which he established in 2022.