ANCHORAGE, AK:  Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) wishes to congratulate Robb Kulin in his selection by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as one of twelve astronaut candidates in the Class of 2017.  Robb hails from Anchorage, where he graduated from Robert Service High School.  He received a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Denver; completed a Master’s degree in Materials Science; and earned a Doctorate in Engineering at the University of California, San Diego.  He has worked for SpaceX, a private commercial space company that designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, as well as formerly being a commercial fisherman in Chignik, Alaska.

“The entire Alaska Aerospace Team joins all Alaskans in congratulating Robb on this significant achievement in his life.” stated Craig E. Campbell, AAC President and Chief Executive Officer.  The NASA astronaut candidate program is highly competitive and diverse, only selecting individuals that meet the educational, physical, and character requirements to train to become a member of the astronaut corps.  “Alaska is an aerospace state and Robb’s selection as an astronaut candidate shows that Alaska provides the opportunity for everyone to reach for the stars and achieve their dreams.” Campbell said.

According to the NASA press release, “Kulin will report for duty in August 2017 to begin two years of training as an Astronaut Candidate at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Texas. Upon completion, he will be assigned technical duties in the Astronaut Office while he awaits a flight assignment.”

Alaska Aerospace is a state-owned corporation established to develop a high-technology aerospace industry in Alaska.  AAC operates the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA) located on Kodiak Island offering all indoor, all weather, processing and providing optimal support for both orbital and sub-orbital space launches to low earth orbit, sun synchronous orbit, polar orbit, and highly elliptical orbits such as Molniya and Tundra orbits. Former astronaut Ron Sega (STS-60 and STS-76) serves as a member on the AAC Board of Directors.  AAC’s corporate headquarters is in Anchorage, Alaska with a regional office in Huntsville, Alabama.