In today’s completely normal dose of news, Christina Birch, the eleven-time United States national champion, has joined NASA as one of ten new astronaut candidates. This is the space agency’s first promotion in four years, but includes the retired track cyclist who recently won the national team pursuit and Madison titles in 2018.

Birch’s cycling career followed her stint at the University of Arizona and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned two bachelor’s degrees in math and biochemistry, as well as a doctorate in biological engineering.

According to the NASA press release, the ten candidates will take office in January to begin two years of training, including operations and maintenance of complex systems on the International Space Station, spacewalk training, the development of complex robotic skills, safe operation of a T-38 training jet. , and Russian language skills.

After the training period, Birch could be assigned to missions involving research aboard the space station, launches from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, as well as deep space missions to airplanes. destinations such as the Moon on NASA’s Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket. .

“Each of you has an incredible track record,” Pam Melroy, former NASA astronaut and NASA deputy administrator, told the nominees. “You bring diversity in many forms to our Astronaut Corps and you have become one of the highest and most exciting forms of public service.”

Birch’s partner and the first person to participate in an individual chase under four minutes, Ashton Lambie shared the news on Instagram …