NASA has unveiled its latest class of astronauts, with this batch creating a record in the space organisation’s history. For the first time, this class is made up of women in the majority, marking a significant moment for women in STEM.
The group, announced on Monday at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, consists of 10 scientists, engineers, and test pilots selected from more than 8,000 applicants. Among them are a geologist who worked on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover and a SpaceX engineer who has already flown into orbit on a private mission.
The new class, made up of six women and four men, will now embark on two years of training before becoming eligible for future space missions, including potential flights to the Moon and even Mars.
Acting Administrator Sean Duffy expressed his hopes and confidence in the new recruits and USA’s space program.
This marks NASA’s 24th astronaut class since the original Mercury Seven were introduced in 1959. The previous group was selected in 2021. In total, only 370 people have ever been chosen to become NASA astronauts, a highly exclusive corps that has historically lacked female representation. The newcomers will join the current team of 41 active astronauts.
NASA’s flight operations director, Norm Knight, praised the latest class, describing them as “distinguished” and “exceptional.” The group includes several military pilots, a former SpaceX launch director, and a medical doctor.
One of the most high-profile members of the group is Anna Menon, who last year joined billionaire Jared Isaacman on a SpaceX mission that included the world’s first private spacewalk. She becomes NASA’s first astronaut candidate to have already been to orbit. Her husband, a former SpaceX flight surgeon, was part of NASA’s previous astronaut class.
Lauren Edgar of the U.S. Geological Survey, who has worked on the Curiosity mission and more recently on the science team behind the planned Artemis moon landing targeted for 2027, said she was eager to get started.
