Georgia Tech graduate and Professor of the Practice Sandra Sandy Magnus (MSE, 96) has beenelected to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Magnus, who flew to space three times, will be inducted in June at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Only 101 astronauts have received the honor.

Magnus returned to her alma mater in 2021with joint appointments in theDaniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering,School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), and theSam Nunn School of International Affairs. As professor of the practice, her position primarily focuses on research advocacy, leadership and mentorship to students, as well as offering guidance to faculty related to issues in aerospace engineering.

Magnus was selected as an astronaut in 1996, the same year she received her doctoral degree in MSE. Her first launch was in 2002 aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis. In 2008, she flew to the International Space Station and lived onboard for four and a half months. Magnuss final flight, STS-135 in 2011, was the final space shuttle launch (again on Atlantis). She has spent 187 days in orbit.

Magnus is currently a principal at AstroPlanetview LLC. She has received numerous awards, including the NASA Space Flight Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and the 40 at 40 Award (given to former collegiate women athletes to recognize the impact of Title IX).

Her election to the hall of fame comes a week after she was named to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions awarded to an engineer.