NASA announced the names of 10 new astronaut candidates on Monday after a rigorous selection process from more than 8,000 applicants.
The press release stated that the new class of candidates will undergo two years of training before being eligible to fly missions in support of future science and exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars.
The class was welcomed during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“I am deeply honored to welcome the next generation of American explorers to our agency,” said NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy. “More than 8,000 people applied—scientists, pilots, engineers, and dreamers from every corner of the country. The 10 men and women sitting here today embody this truth: in America, no matter where you start, there is no limit to what a determined dreamer can achieve—even conquering space. Together, we will usher in a golden age of exploration.”
The curriculum includes training and skills development for work aboard the International Space Station, the Artemis missions to the Moon, and other missions. The training covers robotics, land and water survival, geology, foreign languages, space medicine and physiology, and much more, as well as simulated spacewalks and flights on high-performance jet aircraft.
Upon graduation in 2025, graduates will join the agency's active astronaut corps.
2025 Astronaut Candidates:
- Ben Bailey, 38, is a test pilot and Chief Warrant Officer 3 in the U.S. Army from Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Lauren Edgar, 40, is a geologist from Sammamish, Washington.
- Adam Fuhrmann, 35, is a test pilot and major in the U.S. Air Force from Leesburg, Virginia.
- Cameron Jones, 35, is a test pilot and Air Force major from Savannah, Illinois.
- Yuri Kubo, 40, is an engineer from Columbus, Indiana.
- Rebecca Lawler, 38, is a test pilot and lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy from Little Elm, Texas.
- Anna Menon, 39, is a biomedical engineer from Houston.
- Imelda Mueller, 34, is a physician and Navy lieutenant from Copake Falls, New York.
- Erin Overcash, 34, is a pilot and Navy lieutenant commander from Goshen, Kentucky. She is a member of the U.S. women's national rugby team.
- Katherine Spies, 43, is a test pilot and chemical engineer from San Diego, California.
Sourse: www.upi.com
