CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA has unveiled its newest group of astronauts, selecting 10 candidates from more than 8,000 applicants to help lead future missions to the moon and potentially Mars.
For the first time in history, women outnumber men in an incoming astronaut class, with six women and four men chosen. The group includes a geologist who worked on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover and a SpaceX engineer who already flew to orbit on a billionaire-funded mission that featured the world’s first private spacewalk last year.
The candidates will undergo two years of rigorous training before becoming eligible for spaceflight.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasized the significance of the selection, noting that one of the new astronauts could be among the first to set foot on Mars. He also underscored the United States’ determination to maintain its leadership in space exploration.
“You are America’s best and brightest, and we’re going to need America’s best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future,” Duffy said during Monday’s ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Some are challenging our leadership in space, say like the Chinese … We are going to win.”
Since its inception, NASA has selected only 370 astronauts, the vast majority men. The 10 new additions will join the 41 active U.S. astronauts currently serving.
NASA’s flight operations director, Norm Knight, praised the incoming class as “distinguished” and “exceptional,” highlighting their diverse backgrounds. The group includes military pilots, a medical doctor, a former SpaceX launch director, and specialists in geology and engineering.
Air Force Maj. Adam Fuhrmann recalled receiving the call while stuck in rush-hour traffic, pulling into a parking lot to ensure he heard correctly. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash said her reaction was a mix of disbelief and excitement: “No way. I mean, I mean, yes, of course. But like no way.” She added that her experience living on a ship with 5,000 people would help her adjust to the challenges of space.
Among the most notable members of the class is Anna Menon, NASA’s first astronaut candidate, who has already been to orbit. She flew alongside billionaire Jared Isaacman on a SpaceX mission last September. At Johnson, she will join her husband, a former SpaceX flight surgeon selected in NASA’s previous astronaut class.
Also included is Lauren Edgar of the U.S. Geological Survey, who worked on the Curiosity rover and contributed to the Artemis program’s science team for the next planned moon landing, targeted no earlier than 2027. “I am so excited to be officially part of the NASA family,” Edgar said.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
