Astronaut candidate quits NASA training, a first in 50 years

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – For the first time in 50 years, an astronaut-in-training is quitting NASA.

Astronaut candidate Robb Kulin has resigned halfway through his two years of training at Johnson Space Center in Houston. NASA spokeswoman Brandi Dean said his departure is effective Friday and that he is leaving for personal reasons that the space agency cannot discuss due to privacy laws.

READ MORE: Canadian astronaut hopes mission with Russian, American colleagues spurs unity

Kulin was among 12 new astronauts chosen last summer from a record 18,300 applicants. Kulin, 34, was working as a senior manager at SpaceX when selected and said at the time he was hoping to fly on a vehicle he helped design. SpaceX and Boeing are developing NASA’s first commercial crew capsules, due to launch within the next year.

WATCH: Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques on training in Russia for space mission

7:45 Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques on training in Russia for space mission

He grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and an ice driller in Antarctica.

READ MORE: Canadian astronaut’s lifelong wait for liftoff about to end

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The last time astronauts-in-training resigned from NASA was in 1968.

WATCH: Canadian astronaut talks about transcending geopolitics

3:09 Canadian astronaut talks about transcending geopolitics