2 Airmen chosen as astronaut candidates Published July 9, 2009 By Master Sgt. Paul Dean Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Two Air Force officers have been chosen by NASA officials for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class July 9. Lt. Col. Mike Hopkins and Maj. Jack Fischer will attend the first iteration of a program designed to ready astronaut candidates for new missions and settings. With NASA's space shuttle program scheduled to wind down next year, training for new astronaut candidates is changing dramatically to better prepare crewmembers for future space missions. Colonel Hopkins and Major Fischer credited their selection to service choice, families and diligence. Colonel Hopkins, a special assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Major Fischer, currently assigned as a strategic policy intern to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had to first earn Air Force-wide selection before NASA considered their applications. Once chosen as the two Air Force selectees, the Airmen moved through the next cut, being among the 113 candidates NASA formally interviewed. Beyond that, the pair earned spots as two of the 48 candidates NASA moved forward for the more rigorous final shakeout. All-in-all, NASA considered 3,565 U.S. candidates in this year's pool and selected nine. Colonel Hopkins set his goals on space exploration during his junior year in high school, as he watched more and more televised shuttle launches, he said. "Looking at everything going on with the space program, I realized it was something I'd like to do. It just felt right," he said. Of his selection as an astronaut candidate, the colonel said, "This is still hard to believe." Major Fischer has been aiming high since he was 6. Although his Air Force assignments include being an F-22 Raptor test pilot, his ultimate goal is the moon. "Just getting closer to the possibility of going to the moon is phenomenal; a dream come true," the major said. "I really think this program is the best place for me to make a difference on a global scale." The Airmen, now reassigned to the Air Force's Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, will train for duty at the International Space Station, train for travel via Russian Soyuz rockets, develop Russian language proficiency and prepare for possible trips to the moon. These specialties must be mastered in addition to a year-long generic astronaut training program. Tomorrow's astronaut will need the skills for mission success while working as members of international crews. The two Airmen are members of an astronaut candidate class made up of nine Americans, six Europeans, two Canadians and two Japanese. The numbers roughly reflect a corresponding level of financial investment in the joint space program, while highlighting the challenges and opportunities of diversity within teams. Working with technical-minded people on the ground and in the air, Colonel Hopkins said he is confident his experience as a flight test engineer on C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130 Hercules aircraft works to the advantage of all. "As a flight test conductor, I had to interface with pilots, large crews and those with specific technical expertise, coordinating all parts along the way," he said. "The experience I've gained through my Air Force positions will prove very useful. The teamwork experience I have because of the Air Force is invaluable." The colonel has also benefited from two foreign assignments, where he developed an appreciation for living and working with other nationalities while learning "what it takes to communicate across language barriers, to sort through words," he said. Major Fischer developed his teamwork characteristics in and out of the Air Force. As the youngest brother in a fifth generation construction family he learned plenty about setting and achieving goals, he said. "When you're working at a job site with 100 folks who share the same goal, the spirit becomes ingrained in you," Major Fischer said. Adding to his work-site lessons learned, the major also draws on teamwork experience he gained as a test pilot and Airman. "As a test pilot you have to work closely with contractors, maintainers, chase teams and tankers to name a few," he said. "The Air Force teaches all Airmen to work well within teams -- anytime, anywhere." Teamwork in space also requires that each member of the crew put forth their best effort, something both Airmen ascribe as a winning trait. "Although I've always worked at achieving my goal of becoming an astronaut, at the same time, I haven't gone after assignments solely for that end," Colonel Hopkins said. "I've looked for unique and challenging positions and tried to do the best job I can every time." Both candidates said their families are brimming with support. Colonel Hopkins is a father to two sons, Ryan, 10, and Lucas, 8; and is married to Julie. "I supported him while he worked hard for this goal," said Mrs. Hopkins, who is a nurse. The colonel broke the news of his ambition to his wife while they were dating. "I was shocked. I'd never heard anything like that from an adult, but once I saw he was serious I just said, 'Wow!' Since then, our whole Air Force career has been great," she said. Ryan and Lucas sometimes even bounce with excitement when talking about their father. Mrs. Hopkins shared their sentiment: "[Colonel Hopkins] is so determined, so dedicated, and works so hard. This is such an exciting adventure for all of us. I can't believe it," she said. Major Fischer has two daughters, Sariah, 11, and Bethany, 8; and is married to Elizabeth, a caterer who, as early as high school, recognized something special in the major (although they were not high school sweethearts). "Everybody knew [Major Fischer] was on the fast track," she said. "He had smarts and always aimed high." The "special something" Mrs. Fischer recognized in the major gave her the strength to relocate 11 times in 12 years. "We're all ready to move again," she said. "This has been such an adventure. I'm so proud that NASA has seen in him what I've known all along."