NASA Unveils 24th Astronaut Class, Featuring SpaceX Veteran and Orbital Pioneers

NASA Names 24th Astronaut Class, Including Prior SpaceX Crew Member HOUSTON - NASA introduced its new group of astronaut candidates on Monday, including the first person to have orbited Earth before joining the agency's corps. The space agency selected four men and six women for its 2025 trainee class during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "We picked the best and the brightest, the most skilled, the best looking, the best personalities to take these 10 spots," said Sean Duffy, acting NASA administrator and secretary of transportation. "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." The new class includes astronaut candidates who will be eligible for mission assignments in low-Earth orbit and on the Moon as part of NASA's Artemis program. The program aims to send the first humans to Mars and beyond. "We are going back to the Moon, and this time we're going to stay," Duffy said. "And from what we learn on our missions to the Moon, we're going to go to Mars, and we're going to go beyond, into the unknown." The 2025 trainee class includes a diverse group of individuals with backgrounds in fields such as engineering, biology, and physics. The candidates will undergo two years of basic training before being eligible for mission assignments. NASA's Artemis program is a significant step forward in space exploration, marking the first time humans have visited the Moon since the Apollo era. The program aims to establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface and use it as a stepping stone for further human exploration of the solar system. The inclusion of prior SpaceX crew member, [Name], in the new class is notable. As one of the first people to orbit Earth before joining NASA's corps, they bring unique experience and expertise to the agency. NASA's selection process for the 2025 trainee class was rigorous, with candidates undergoing a series of interviews, medical evaluations, and skills assessments. The agency received over 12,000 applications from individuals around the world. The new class will play a critical role in NASA's future missions, including those to the Moon and Mars. As Duffy noted, "We're going to need America's best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future." Background: NASA's astronaut selection process is highly competitive, with candidates undergoing rigorous evaluation and training before being selected for mission assignments. The agency has a long history of selecting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to join its corps. Implications: The inclusion of prior SpaceX crew member in the new class highlights the growing collaboration between private space companies and NASA. As space exploration becomes increasingly complex, the need for diverse expertise and experience will only continue to grow. Next Developments: NASA's Artemis program is expected to send the first humans to Mars in the 2030s. The agency is currently working on developing the necessary technology and infrastructure to support human missions to the Red Planet. The new class of astronaut candidates will play a critical role in NASA's future missions, including those to the Moon and Mars. As Duffy noted, "We're going to need America's best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future." *Reporting by Arstechnica.*