LeVar Burton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” to host U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction on April 30

Kennedy Space Center, FL – April 2005 – LeVar Burton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” will serve as Master of Ceremonies as Space Shuttle Astronauts Joe Allen, Gordon Fullerton and Bruce McCandless are inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 30, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. More than 20 Hall of Fame Astronauts are scheduled to attend this year’s induction at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. |

|To celebrate, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will feature additional activities including book and autograph signings by Astronauts Jim Lovell, Walt Cunningham, Edgar Mitchell, Bob Crippen, Hoot Gibson and Dr. Rhea Seddon on April 30 and May 1.

Space Shuttle Astronauts Bruce McCandless, the first person to fly free in space; Joe Allen, an astronaut who snared two crippled satellites on the first space salvage mission; and Gordon Fullerton, the Shuttle Commander who overcame an engine failure and a near-abort to reach orbit, will join such Astronaut Hall of Fame heroes as Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride. Astronauts scheduled to attend to honor the latest inductees include Jim Lovell, John Young, Bob Crippen and Charlie Duke.

Master of Ceremonies LeVar Burton is internationally known for his portrayal of Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge in the television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and he is currently the executive producer and host of “Reading Rainbow,” a PBS children’s television series. He began his professional acting career playing Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed mini series “Roots.” Burton has starred in numerous television movies and has directed numerous episodes of the “Star Trek” series.

The inductees were selected by a committee of current Hall of Fame astronauts, former NASA officials and flight directors, historians, journalists and other space authorities in a process administered by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at KSC, Inc., who operate Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on behalf of NASA, partner to host the Induction Ceremony, sponsored in part by Delta Air Lines.

A limited number of special Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Weekend packages are available and include reserved seating at the Ceremony, a Dine With an Astronaut program and a commemorative poster autographed by the 2005 Astronaut Inductees. The Induction Weekend package is $70+ tax for adults and $45+ tax for children 3-11.

The Induction Ceremony is included as part of regular admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Maximum Access admission is $37+ tax for adults and $27+ tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com or call 321-449-4400.
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Media Contacts:

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Andrea Farmer, 321-449-4318

Jillian Dick, 321-449-4273

Note: Photographs and Biographies of the astronaut inductees are linked here.

About Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts

Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts is a subsidiary based Delaware North Companies, a leading hospitality provider with significant experience in hotel, retail, food service, recreation and transportation operations. The company’s portfolio includes historic properties in North America, such as Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex; Yosemite, Sequoia, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks; Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds; Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite; Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa; Niagara Falls State Park; Jones Beach; Deer Creek Resort & Conference Center; Old Town San Diego; the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia and Denver; The Lodge & Conference Center at Geneva State Park, Ohio; and The Balsams, Dixville Notch, N.H.

About Delaware North Companies

Delaware North Companies is one of the world’s leading hospitality and food service providers. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, CA One Services, Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International, the FleetCenter and the Delta Queen Steamboat Company. Delaware North Companies is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States with $1.6 billion in annual revenue and 30,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.