NASA has introduced its newest class of astronauts, selecting 10 scientists, engineers, and test pilots from more than 8,000 applicants. This group will play a key role in exploring the Moon and potentially Mars.
For the first time in NASA’s history, there are more women than men in a single astronaut class. The diverse group includes a geologist who contributed to NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover mission, a SpaceX engineer who took part in a billionaire-sponsored spaceflight featuring the world’s first private spacewalk, and a former SpaceX launch director.
The new astronauts will undergo two years of rigorous training before becoming eligible for spaceflight missions. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy noted that one member of this class could become the first person to step on Mars.
This is NASA’s 24th astronaut class since the original Mercury Seven debuted in 1959, with the previous class selected in 2021. To date, only 370 people have been chosen as NASA astronauts, making it an extraordinarily small and elite group, historically composed mostly of men.
The latest additions were revealed during a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. These 10 newcomers will join 41 active U.S. astronauts currently serving in the corps. NASA Flight Operations Director Norm Knight remarked that the competition was fierce and described the new class as distinguished and exceptional.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/nasas-10-newest-astronauts-chosen-from-more-than-8000-applicants-1809777.html