A Hoosier might walk on Mars. What we know on NASA's new astronaut class

NASA announced the next group of astronaut candidates selected from more than 8,000 applications.

Yuri Kubo, a Columbus native and Purdue graduate, was selected along with nine other candidates.

NASA announced its first class of astronauts in four years who could potentially be eligible for missions to the moon and Mars — one of whom is from Indiana.

During a Sept. 22 ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, officials announced Yuri Kubo , a Columbus native and Purdue graduate, among its list of nine other candidates.

Kubo is the only candidate from Indiana. He was selected from a pool of more than 8,000 people who applied in 2024, according to the U.S. space agency.

If Kubo can complete a rigorous training program, he could one day join an exclusive group of just mo