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| Chino Roque, Future Astronaut |
In the end (sadly) there could only be one.
After more than 3 days of grueling AXE Apollo Space Academy (AASA) tests at the AASA Space Camp, Crossfit trainer Chino Roque was declared the first Filipino astronaut by no less than legendary spaceman Buzz Aldrin during awarding ceremonies held at the Rocket Garden of the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.
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| Roque with legendary Spaceman Buzz Aldrin |
Roque bested compatriots Evan Ray Datuin and Ramil Santos for the title via impressive performances in the Air Combat Training, G Force Training and Assault Course.
The three Filipinos flew to the United States to take part in a 5-day intense astronaut training that employed the same methods and equipment used to hone the skills of astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
These include AXE Space Academy Air Combat Training onboard a SIAI Marchetti SF260, G Force Training through the G Force Simulator, Assault Course and Aptitude Test.
Chino Roque, a psychology graduate from De La Salle University (DLSU) emerged as the official Philippine representative. He will be the first ever Filipino to travel to space in 2015.
The graduation ceremony was led by legendary American astronaut and AASA Space Camp judging committee chairman Buzz Aldrin, and other judges including XCOR Aerospace COO Andrew Nelson whose rocket engine company is manufacturing the shuttle to fly the 24 AASA winners to space, Space Expedition Corporation (SXC) CEO and shuttle owner Michiel Mol, SXC Test Pilot Mission Control COO Harry van Hulten and SXC Director of Commercial Space Marlous Mens.
The graduation ceremony was quickly followed by an outdoor party among the astronaut aspirants.
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| The AASA Space Camp officially ended with the graduation of 107 astronaut aspirants |
The AXE Apollo Team Philippines flew to the United States to take part in a 5-day intense astronaut training that employed the same methods and equipment used to hone the skills of astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
These include AXE Space Academy Air Combat Training onboard a SIAI Marchetti SF260, G Force Training through the G Force Simulator, Assault Course and Aptitude Test
