Call for astronauts draws thousands

More than 12,000 hopefuls responded to NASA's monthlong call for prospective astronauts. In 2017, more than 18,300 applicants filed, from which 12 were selected.

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National News

April 2, 2020 - 10:07 AM

Photo by Pixabay.com

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Who wants to be an astronaut? More than 12,000 people do, resulting in NASA’s second-largest group of astronaut hopefuls.

NASA said Wednesday that Americans from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories applied to be part of the space agency’s next astronaut class. The monthlong application period ended Tuesday.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said this next class of astronauts will help explore the moon and pave the way to Mars. They also could find themselves at the International Space Station, using new commercial capsules to get there.

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