JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — University of North Florida graduate Luke Delaney will fulfill a childhood dream when he pilots of SpaceX spacecraft to the International Space Station next month.
Delaney, who graduated from UNF in 2006, will spend six months in space, doing scientific investigations and technology demonstrations to benefit people on Earth and prepare for missions to the Moon and Mars.
After attending Deltona High School, Delaney enlisted in the Marine Corps as a flight navigator; was admitted to the corps enlisted commissioning education program; and helped run the ROTC program at Jacksonville University while earning a degree in mechanical engineering at UNF in 2006.
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During his time in the military, Delaney served for 22 years as a distinguished naval aviator. He flew missions across the Asia Pacific region, supported Operation Enduring Freedom and served as a test pilot and instructor evaluating advanced weapon systems.
His expertise and flight record, more than 3,900 hours across 48 aircraft models including over 400 combat sorties, led to his selection as a NASA astronaut candidate in 2021.
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A news release from UNF said he remembers as a child watching rockets take off from Cape Canaveral near his home in DeBary. Those early days sparked a lifelong dream of spaceflight.
Delaney’s wife, Tracy, also attended UNF, earning her bachelor’s degree in education.
“Our two daughters were young while we attended UNF, and we had a lot of fun family adventures on campus,” said Delaney “It was one of the busier times in our lives with work and school obligations, so we really enjoyed the peaceful moments on campus.”
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