In 2021, William Shatner became the oldest man to go into space.
Shatner joined the Blue Origin NS-18 Mission on an approximately 11-minute flight. The crew of four flew to just beyond the Kármán line, which, is at an altitude of about 60 miles and, according to Fox5 San Diego, is considered by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale as the altitude marking the “boundary” of space. And while that was quite the accomplishment, Shatner’s time as Captain James T. Kirk commanding the USS Enterprise encouraged millions of people to become interested in space. Suffice it to say, the actor has made a mark beyond the stars.
And Fox5 San Diego shared the news that on Saturday, October 21, 2023, Shatner will be inducted into San Diego’s Air & Space Museum’s Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
William Shatner is one of the honorees who will be inducted on October 21st.
Also being inducted is E. Royce Williams, who is the recipient of the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and on November 15, 1952 engaged seven Migs for 35 minutes, shooting down four of them. It is still considered to be the longest dogfight in the history of the US Navy,
Aviator Robert DeLaurentis will also be inducted. DeLaurentis was the first solo pilot to fly a Piper Malibu Mirage around the word from May 17, 2015 to August 14, 2015. The flight covered 26,000 nautical miles and 23 countries in the ninety-eight days for a fundraising campaign to support aviation programs.
Jim Kidrick, President and CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum said the museum was “exceptionally pleased to honor this exemplary Class of 2023 because these men and women represent a vast range of the ongoing advances in aviation and space exploration. Achievements in aviation and space, as embodied by the honorees in the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame, directly represents the human pioneering spirit and pursuit of mankind’s final frontiers. This is a can’t miss event and something every guest will remember for the rest of their lives! Guests come from all over the globe just to be in the room with the Honorees and join in this momentous celebration.”
Tickets are now available for the induction ceremony, but they don’t come cheap. The cost for one ticket is $595 while the cost for a table of ten doesn’t give you a discount. It’s $5,950. Still, tihs would be an incredible opportunity to see live.