A Newmarket native is among the top 17 finalists in the search for Canada’s next astronaut.

Francis James Frenzel, a pilot-in-training with the Royal Canadian Air Force, is among the top 17 candidates selected by the Canadian Space Agency. The search originally started with 72 candidates.

Frenzel is currently stationed at CFB Trenton. When he’s not training to become a pilot, he helps coordinate air force flights.

He graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Toronto in aerospace engineering.

The space agency will announce the final two candidates in August.