NC native and veteran astronaut set to launch into space

North Carolina native and astronaut Tom Marshburn is set to launch into space on Oct. 30.

Marshburn and his fellow astronauts have been planning for the six-month Space-X mission for a while now. They will be conducting dozens of scientific experiments at the International Space Station, that will include research on humans and rodents, and how they react in space.

"We’re trying to be plumbers," Marshburn said. "IT specialists, electricians and everything that’s needed to keep the space station going but most of the time we’re working on experiments that’s been purchased and built by universities and academic center around the world."

In 2009, Marshburn completed his first spaceflight, logging more than 376 hours in space. In 2012, Marshburn launched to the International Space Station as a Flight Engineer.

Marshburn is a Davidson College graduate, and went to medical school at Wake Forest. Marshburn was born in Statesville.