News and notes from Reston (tm).

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Restonian to be Shot into Space

363393main_jsc2009e140633_inline.jpgUnfortunately, it's not a member of the DRB. But a Reston resident is among the nine astronaut candidates selected by NASA for its first class of astronauts in five years.

Jack D. Fischer, 35, of Reston, is a major in the U.S. Air Force. The test pilot is currently a U.S. Air Force Strategic Policy intern at the Pentagon. He'll be part of the first astronaut corps to never fly in the space shuttle, which is scheduled to be retired next year.

The 2009 astronaut class is a relatively young group, with ages ranging from 30 to 43. NASA selected the nine from a field of 3,500 applicants to make up the new class, its 20th group since the original seven Mercury astronauts were unveiled in 1959.
In a Q&A, Fischer talks about how it felt to be selected:
Complete disbelief. It was a dream come true -- the chance to be a part of our space program. After the call, my wife and girls ran over, and we did a huge family hug while screaming and jumping up and down, and our confused beagle ran circles around us barking. We were all VERY excited!
Congrats. And who knows? Maybe someday one of the "good" Reston schools will be named after him.

12 comments:

  1. Ahahahaa...that last line killed me.

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  2. What a great story ... hopefully MAJ Fischer will be able to tell some great sories at Buzz Aldrin Elementary school in a few years...

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  3. Yes, we wouldn't want him to have to visit any of the schools in less desired South Reston.

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  4. Back on point -- a big congratulations to MAJ Fischer... what an honor.

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  5. In South Reston we make superstars like Grant Hill.

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  6. Of course, we have Alan Webb for South Lake High School.

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  7. "He'll be part of the first astronaut corps to never fly in the space shuttle, which is scheduled to be retired next year."

    Umm...so what will he fly in?

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  8. to answer SouthLakesMom's question:

    I dunno but it had better be Russet Brown!!

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  9. This guy is a neighbor and just one really nice guy with a sweet wife and two very polite kids. We will miss them as they travel to Houston for two years of being an ASCANS (Astronaut Candidates).

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  10. Congratulations to Major Fischer on being selected for the astronaut corps --well done!

    On a more humorous note, perhaps after he's launched into orbit he can find the 'space in outer space', so to speak, for all those RA file cabinets?

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  11. The only place left to put the Jack D Fisher Elementary School will be Brown's Chapel.

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  12. who cares about the school! This guy is amazing and we're lucky he chose our town!! His kids went to Sunrise Valley - maybe he can come back one day as a guest speaker and inspire the next generation... Moon or Mars and BEYOND!

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