MANILA, Dec. 6 (PNA) — After more than three 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.
As the first Filipino astronaut, Roque will join 24 other astronaut winners who will fly to space onboard a Space Expedition Corporation shuttle.
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 five-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. (PNA)