September 2025 News

Indiana Academy Alum Named NASA Astronaut Candidate

Friday, September 26, 2025

Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities alum Yuri Kubo (Class of 2004) was named one of NASA’s 10 new astronaut candidates on September 22, 2025.

“We’re incredibly proud of Yuri and his achievement. His selection as a NASA astronaut candidate exemplifies the kind of excellence and scientific curiosity we strive to nurture at the Indiana Academy,” said Dr. Dain Kavars, Executive Director of the Indiana Academy.

After graduating from the Indiana Academy, Kubo went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 2008 and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering in 2015, all from Purdue University. He has worked at SpaceX, Vandenberg Space Force Base, and most recently as the senior vice president of Engineering at Electric Hydrogen.

More about Yuri from NASA’s website: Astronaut Candidate Yuri Kubo

This is not the Indiana Academy’s first connection to a NASA astronaut. Retired astronaut David Wolf, the uncle of a Class of 2010 Academy graduate, carried an Indiana Academy pennant to the International Space Station in 2009 as part of the STS-127 mission.