HOUSTON, Texas—One of the first Americans to set foot on Mars may have made his or her debut as an astronaut candidate on Sept. 22, according to Sean Duffy.
The acting administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) revealed that possibility as he took part in the unveiling ceremony of the 24th and latest class of what NASA called “all-American” astronaut candidates.
“One of these 10 could actually be one of the first Americans to put their boots on the Mars surface,” Duffy said.
Four men and six women were chosen from a pool of 8,000 applicants. Their background varied from test pilot to anesthesiologist, but according to Duffy, they all exemplified American excellence and the American dream. He codified earlier remarks that these men and women would further America’s golden age of exploration….