NASA Unveils 10 New Astronaut Candidates for Future Missions

NASA has announced its newest class of astronaut candidates, consisting of five men and five women. These individuals will undergo intensive training for two years, preparing them for future space missions, including potential journeys to the Moon and Mars. The selection marks the 24th astronaut class in NASA's history and the first since 2021.

New Astronaut Class Announced in Houston

The formal introduction of the 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class took place on September 22, 2025, at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. This event highlighted the agency's commitment to advancing human space exploration. The 10 individuals were chosen from a competitive pool of more than 8,000 applicants, demonstrating their exceptional qualifications.

Norm Knight, NASA flight operations director, spoke at the ceremony. He emphasized the rigorous selection process and the high caliber of the chosen candidates. "This selection was challenging, competitive and very difficult, but what we have for you here today is a group of individuals who are not only exceptional but who will be inspirational for the United States of America, and for our planet," Knight stated.

Intensive Training and Future Missions

The new astronaut candidates will begin their two-year training program in January 2026 at the Johnson Space Center. Their curriculum will cover a wide range of essential skills. This includes instruction in spaceflight systems, spacewalk procedures, engineering principles, and other critical areas necessary for survival and operation in the space environment.

Upon graduation, these individuals will become eligible for flight assignments. Their timing aligns with NASA's ambitious plans under the Artemis program. The Artemis 3 mission aims to return humans to the Moon, with a target landing around the time this class completes training. While these new candidates will likely not be on Artemis 3, they are vital for subsequent missions.

Beyond the Moon: Mars and Commercial Space Stations

The long-term vision for some of these astronaut candidates extends beyond lunar missions. They could become the first humans to set foot on Mars. The Artemis program is designed to build the foundation for such deep-space exploration. A sustained presence on the Moon will provide invaluable experience for the challenges of a Mars journey.

Additionally, these astronauts may play a crucial role in the future of low Earth orbit (LEO) operations. The International Space Station (ISS) is scheduled for retirement in late 2030 or early 2031. NASA plans to transition its LEO research activities to commercial space stations. Several private companies, including Blue Origin, Axiom Space, and Vast Space, are developing these new platforms.

"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. We are going back to the moon. This time, we're going to stay, and from what we learn on our mission to the moon, we're going to go to Mars, and we're going to go beyond, into the unknown."

— Sean Duffy, Acting NASA Administrator

Depending on the development timelines of these commercial ventures, members of this new astronaut class could be among the first NASA astronauts to live and work on a privately owned space outpost. This shift represents a significant change in how NASA conducts operations in LEO, reducing the financial burden of maintaining its own station.

Meet the New Astronaut Candidates

NASA provided biographical details for each of the 10 new astronaut candidates. Their diverse backgrounds include military service, scientific research, and engineering experience.

Military and Aviation Expertise

• Ben Bailey, 38: A U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 from Charlottesville, Virginia. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Virginia and is a U.S. Naval Test Pilot School graduate. Bailey has over 2,000 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft types.
• Adam Fuhrmann, 35: A U.S. Air Force Major from Leesburg, Virginia. He has a bachelor's in aerospace engineering from MIT and two master's degrees. Fuhrmann has logged 2,100 flight hours, including 400 combat hours.
• Cameron Jones, 35: A U.S. Air Force Major from Savanna, Illinois. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois. Jones is a test pilot with over 1,600 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft, including 150 combat hours.
• Rebecca Lawler, 38: From Little Elm, Texas, a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and experimental test pilot. She has over 2,800 flight hours in more than 45 aircraft. Lawler also flew as a "hurricane hunter" for NOAA.
• Erin Overcash, 34: A U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander from Goshen, Kentucky. She holds degrees in aerospace engineering and bioastronautics. Overcash has over 1,300 flight hours, 249 aircraft carrier landings, and trained with the USA Rugby Women's National Team.
• Katherine Spies, 43: From San Diego, she holds degrees in chemical and design engineering. A U.S. Naval Test Pilot School graduate, Spies was a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1 attack helicopter pilot and test pilot, accumulating over 2,000 flight hours.

Scientific and Engineering Backgrounds

• Dr. Lauren Edgar, 40: From Sammamish, Washington. She earned degrees in Earth sciences and geology. Dr. Edgar has worked with NASA's Mars rover missions for 17 years and served as deputy principal investigator for the Artemis 3 Geology Team.
• Yuri Kubo, 40: From Columbus, Indiana. He holds degrees in electrical and computer engineering from Purdue University. Kubo worked at SpaceX for 12 years, including as launch director for Falcon 9, and was most recently a senior vice president at Electric Hydrogen.
• Anna Menon, 39: From Houston. She has degrees from Texas Christian University and Duke University in biomedical engineering. Menon previously worked in Mission Control, supporting ISS medical hardware. She has already flown to space on SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024, which featured a private spacewalk.
• Dr. Imelda Muller, 34: From Copake Falls, New York, a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant. She earned a degree in behavioral neuroscience and a medical degree. Dr. Muller is an anesthesiologist who provided medical support for Navy diver training.

NASA's Ambitious Future

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy expressed high expectations for this new class of astronauts. He highlighted their role in achieving NASA's bold exploration goals for the coming years. The agency is focused on returning to the Moon to establish a permanent presence.

According to Duffy, lessons learned from lunar missions will directly contribute to preparing for future human missions to Mars and beyond. He also underscored the competitive aspect of space exploration, particularly regarding other nations. "I'll be damned if the Chinese beat NASA, or beat America, back to the moon," Duffy asserted, emphasizing NASA's determination to lead in lunar exploration.

This new astronaut class represents a crucial investment in the future of human spaceflight. Their training and eventual missions will shape the next era of space exploration, from lunar outposts to potential interplanetary journeys.