NASA Removes Central New York Native From Flight Crew

Astronaut Jeanette Epps, a Syracuse native will no longer be traveling to space later this year according to NASA.

Epps, a Corcoran High School and Le Moyne College grad was set to become the first African American crew member on the International Space Station. NASA announced Thursday that Epp. was removed from the flight crew set to go to space in June.

Serena Aunon-Chancellor, was assigned to Expedition 58/59 has been reassigned to the Expedition 56/57 crew, launching in June, NASA announced she is taking the place of astronaut Jeanette Epps, who will return to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to assume duties in the Astronaut Office and be considered for assignment to future missions.

Epps was part of NASA 20th astronaut class, announced in 2009. She was one of nine selected out of 3,500 applicants, Epps had been assigned to serve as flight engineer for Expedition 56 and remain on board for Expedition 57 according to NASA

[syracuse.com]