U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - An Academy graduate is one of eight service members selected for NASA's 2013 Astronaut Candidate Class.
The class comes from the second-largest number of applications NASA has received: more than 6,100. The group will train at space centers around the globe for low-Earth orbit missions, and for travel to an asteroid and Mars, according to a NASA report.
Lt. Col. Tyler Hague, deputy chief of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization in Crystal City, Va. and an academy graduate, made NASA's final cut.
"It was overwhelming being honored with this opportunity," he said. "It was only possible because of the countless others who supported me along the way."
Hague graduated from the academy in 1998 with a bachelor's of science.
"I think back to the things I learned as an astronautical engineering major participating in the small satellite program," he said. "I didn't realize it at the time, but it was an unparalleled opportunity. Those opportunities have only increased for cadets today."
Since then, Hague has earned a master's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
As a cadet, Hague had high hopes of becoming an astronaut but wasn't sure he'd get the chance.
"The odds were not in my favor and there were a lot of things that would have to fall in place," he said. "Looking back, it was daunting, so I just focused on the task at hand and tried to do my best."
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said the candidates were selected because of their numerous military achievements.
"These new space explorers asked to join NASA because they know we're doing big, bold things here, developing missions to go farther into space than ever before," Bolden said. "They're excited about the science we're doing on the International Space Station. They're ready to help lead the first human mission to an asteroid and then on to Mars."
Despite the possibilities the future may hold, Hague said he's most proud of his family.
"My wife Catie and I graduated together from the Academy, both class of '98," he said. "Through all the ups and downs in, having each other and our two boys is what has made our journey extraordinary."
The candidates will start their training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston in August.