Peggy Whitson, a legendary figure in space exploration and a four-time astronaut, was absent from her own induction ceremony into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame this past Saturday—but she had a stellar reason: she's in quarantine preparing for her upcoming mission.

Whitson is set to command the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission aboard a brand-new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launching as soon as June 8. Though her physical absence was felt at the ceremony beneath the iconic Space Shuttle Atlantis, her heartfelt virtual message resonated with attendees.

"Please know that my heart is with you. It is a privilege to be a part of such an esteemed group dedicated to exploring the unknown," she shared from a secret location.

Accompanying her in the honor was Bernard Harris, the first Black astronaut to perform a spacewalk. While Whitson's presence was virtual, Harris was on-site, creating a moment shared with numerous former astronauts and NASA officials as their plaques were unveiled—marking them as the 110th and 111th members of this prestigious hall founded in 1990.

Despite both having remarkable legacies with NASA, Whitson outshines in her extensive experience—she has spent an astonishing total of over 675 days in space, a record for women and American astronauts alike.

Whitson first soared into space on the STS-111 mission in 2002, marking the beginning of a stellar career. Her journey includes being the first female commander of the International Space Station and serving as its only two-time commander. After leaving NASA, she took her talents to private space company Axiom Space, leading their second commercial mission this year.

Reflecting on her tenacity, Whitson recalls applying to NASA's astronaut program four times over nearly a decade before finally being accepted. "Those years of rejection became pivotal for me as a leader and collaborator," she stated. "Every mission and experiment conducted has brought us closer to understanding the universe and enhancing life on Earth."

Harris, on the other hand, began his incredible journey as an astronaut in 1990, making headlines as he flew on STS-55 and STS-63 missions. His second flight, initially not planned for a spacewalk, unexpectedly led him to that groundbreaking achievement.

Both heroes were inspired by the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, with Whitson recalling how the event made space exploration seem possible. "The moon landing, at 9 years old, sparked a passion for space within me," she reflected. For Harris, witnessing such monumental achievements alongside the civil rights movement ignited his resolve to break barriers in space.

In a world where diversity in space exploration is slowly growing, both Whitson and Harris serve as trailblazers, paving the way for future generations of astronauts who aspire to reach for the stars.