Luke Delaney of Cobbs Creek is one of 10 new astronaut candidates recently chosen by NASA to train to be a part of the “Artemis generation” of U.S. astronauts.

Selected from a field of more than 12,000 applicants, Delaney is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major who grew up in DeBary, Florida, said a press release on the NASA website. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Florida and a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

The NASA release describes Delaney as “a distinguished naval aviator” who participated in exercises throughout the Asia Pacific region and conducted combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. As a test pilot, he executed numerous flights evaluating weapon systems integration, said the release, and he served as a test pilot instructor.

Delaney retired from the Marine Corps last year and came to Virginia with his wife Tracy to work as a research pilot and aerospace engineer a...