A Moncton native and University of New Brunswick (UNB) alumnus is still in the running to potentially be chosen as one of the Canada Space Agency’s (CSA) two new astronauts.
READ MORE: 2 University of New Brunswick alumni shortlisted for Canada’s space program
Alex DeLorey, who studied mechanical engineering at UNB, is one of 32 people from across Canada shortlisted for the recruitment process being conducted by the agency. The names were released March 3.
DeLorey told Global News in a Skype interview on Friday that he had found out he made the list a few days ago, but was asked to wait until the public announcement was made.
“So I found out via email. It was in the middle of supper. My wife and I were having a conversation and I just by chance checked my email and cut her off mid-sentence and said, ‘Honey, look at this!'” DeLorey said.
“We were both so excited we jumped up from the table, we went and grabbed our son and gave him a big kiss. We just didn’t know what else to do.”
The UNB alum was originally selected as one of the top 72 candidates and had to undergo several days of testing in Quebec.
READ MORE: Pool of potential Canadian astronauts down to 72
He said Friday he hasn’t had to go through any additional training or testing since last month and was waiting to hear if he made the top 32 before he would head to the “next three or four days” of evaluation. He said he cannot disclose when or where he will be going.
DeLorey currently lives in Ontario with his wife and baby son and said his wife has been very supportive of his bid to become an astronaut. DeLorey currently works as a project manager for the Bruce Major Component Replacement Project.
To keep himself prepared as he waited to find out, DeLorey said he’s been flying almost every day to finish the process of getting his licence. He also said the Milton Fire Department has been training him in different rescue skills by providing various scenarios.
“They got me on breathing air, did some climbing and some rappelling and things like that and a lot of problem-solving at the same time to help me get in the right mind frame for the testing to come,” he said.
READ MORE: Astronaut dreams closer to reality
Being named one of the top 32 he said was “humbling” and was “a hundred times more real.”
“I’m very proud to be where I’m at and it’s beyond words right now how I’m feeling, how excited I am,” DeLorey said.
In addition to the support he’s gotten from his family, he said the support he’s received from the province is “phenomenal.”
DeLorey said he’s been receiving notes from people he doesn’t know and some people have even been gathering the articles about him.
“A person at my mother’s local store where she goes to pick up her newspaper, told her that they’re making a time capsule that they’re keeping in their house and they’re making sure to keep all the articles they find about me in that time capsule,” he said.
“So I’m hoping to get back and track this person down and maybe sign something for them – anything to help them out.”
The two new astronauts are expected to be selected this summer, according to the CSA’s website. Both astronauts will be expected to relocate to Houston, Texas, in August with basic training taking place at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre.
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