NASA has unveiled its 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class, selecting 10 remarkable individuals from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants nationwide. Announced in September at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, this diverse group will train for missions that pave the way for humanity’s return to the Moon and eventual journeys to Mars.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy welcomed the new class with pride: “I’m honored to welcome the next generation of American explorers to our agency! More than 8,000 people applied – scientists, pilots, engineers, dreamers from every corner of this nation. The 10 men and women sitting here today embody the truth that in America, regardless of where you start, there is no limit to what a determined dreamer can achieve – even going to space.”
The 24th astronaut candidate class will undergo nearly two years of rigorous training. Their curriculum spans robotics, survival in extreme environments, geology, languages, space medicine, and simulated spacewalks. Training also includes flying high-performance aircraft and preparing for operations aboard the International Space Station and future Artemis lunar missions.
Once training is complete, the candidates will join NASA’s active astronaut corps, supporting scientific research on the ISS and preparing for missions to commercial space stations, the Moon, and Mars.
This year’s class includes experienced pilots, engineers, scientists, and medical professionals: Ben Bailey, Lauren Edgar, Adam Fuhrmann, Cameron Jones, Yuri Kubo, Rebecca Lawler, Anna Menon, Imelda Muller, Erin Overcash, and Katherine Spies.
NASA Director Vanessa Wyche emphasized their role in shaping the future: “Today, our mission propels us even further as we prepare for our next giant leap with NASA’s newest astronaut candidate class. Representing America’s best and brightest, this astronaut candidate class will usher in the Golden Age of innovation and exploration as we push toward the Moon and Mars.”
Meet NASA’s 10 Trailblazers: Chosen From 8,000 to Shape the Future of Space Exploration
