Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari, an Indian-American US Air Force Colonel is selected to be a part of the space agency's missions to the International Space Station, Moon, and Mars.

FREMONT, CA: An Indian-American US Air Force colonel, Raja Jon Vurputoor Chari, is selected to be a part of the space agency's missions to the International Space Station, Moon, and Mars. He is among 11 new NASA graduates who have completed their over two years' of basic astronaut training. These 11 people are selected from 18,000 applicants in 2017 after NASA announced its Artemis program.

NASA selected Chari to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. After completing the initial astronaut candidate training successfully, he is now eligible for a mission assignment. A ceremony was conducted at Houston, and there each new astronaut received a silver pin. It is a tradition dating back to the Mercury 7 astronauts, who were selected in 1959.

Jim Bridenstine, the NASA Administrator, says that this year will mark the return of launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil. He also added that these people represent the best of America, and what an incredible time for them to join the astronaut corps.

After completing the first spaceflights, the astronauts will receive a gold pin. Testing in spacewalking, robotics, International Space Station systems, practice, T-38 jet proficiency, and Russian language are some of the activities included in the astronaut candidate training program for the new graduates.

Astronauts will help in developing spacecraft and support the teams currently in space. Finally, they will join the ranks of only about 500 people who have been into space.

He earned his graduation from the US Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland, and pursued a master's degree in aeronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Chari has served Edwards Air Force Base in California as the director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force and the commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron.

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