arts
4 astronauts were selected by NASA for the Artemis III mission, and 1 of them has deep roots in South Florida
By Chelsea Jones at CBS4 Miami
· June 10, 2026
· 2 min read
NASA has announced the four astronauts selected for the Artemis III mission, and one of them has deep South Florida roots.Frank Rubio, a graduate of Miami Sunset Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, has been named a mission specialist for Artemis III, NASA's next crewed mission designed to advan
Key takeaway The Army lieutenant colonel launched on his first mission to space in 2022 and spent more than a year in orbit, setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut.
Why this matters in The Miami
The selection of Frank Rubio, a Miami Sunset Senior High School graduate, as a mission specialist for the Artemis III mission brings a sense of pride to Miami-Dade County. Rubio's achievement is a testament to the quality of education provided by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which has produced a talented individual capable of contributing to a historic space mission. As the Artemis III mission aims to advance lunar exploration, it also underscores the significance of South Florida's connection to the space industry, with companies like SpaceX operating in the region. The mission's success will not only be a milestone for NASA but also a source of inspiration for students in Miami-Dade County, particularly those interested in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. With Rubio's roots in the community, his participation in the Artemis III mission is likely to spark interest and excitement among locals, potentially motivating the next generation of space explorers.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: arts ·
Published: June 10, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASA has announced the four astronauts selected for the Artemis III mission, and one of them has deep South Florida roots.Frank Rubio, a graduate of Miami Sunset Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, has been named a mission specialist for Artemis III, NASA's next crewed mission designed to advan
When was this published? This article was first published on June 10, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Chelsea Jones at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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