HOUSTON — NASA has chosen 10 new recruits who will train to become future astronauts. One of those lucky few people picked is a Florida native.
Luke Delaney, 42, was one of more than 12,000 applicants who vied for the opportunity to be part of NASA's first astronaut class in four years.
A veteran of the Marine Corps, Delaney grew up in Debary, Florida. He would receive a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of North Florida and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.
As an aviator, Delaney participated in exercises throughout the Asia Pacific region and conducted combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He most recently worked with NASA as a research pilot at the Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia. According to NASA, Delaney logged more than 3,700 flight hours on 48 models of jet, propeller, and rotary wing aircraft.
As a part of this latest astronaut class, Delaney, along with the other recruits, will begin their two-year training in January 2022. That training involves five major categories, including learning how to operate and maintain the International Space Station's complex systems, training for spacewalks, developing robotics skills, safely operating a T-38 training jet and Russian language skills.
Once completed, NASA says the recruits will be able to be assigned to any future missions that involve performing research aboard the space station, launching from spacecrafts created by commercial companies and deep space missions.
