NASA Picks 10 New Astronauts as Focus Shifts to the Moon and Mars

In a significant step towards advancing its ambitious space exploration goals, NASA has selected 10 new astronaut candidates from a pool of highly qualified applicants. This fresh batch of space travelers, comprising six women and four men, will embark on a rigorous two-year training program designed to prepare them for a wide range of missions. These may include journeys to low-Earth orbit, and potentially, future expeditions to the Moon and Mars.

The selection of these new astronaut candidates underscores NASA’s commitment to expanding its presence in space, particularly as the agency sets its sights on returning humans to the lunar surface by 2024 under the Artemis program, and eventually sending the first astronauts to Mars in the 2030s.

The training program for these candidates will be comprehensive, covering a broad spectrum of scientific, technical, and linguistic skills necessary for deep space missions. This will include learning about spacecraft systems, spacewalk training, and Russian language training, among other areas of study. The astronauts will also undergo physical conditioning to prepare them for the extreme conditions of space travel.

The new class of astronauts brings a diverse set of skills and experiences to the program. They are highly educated, with advanced degrees in fields such as engineering, biological and physical sciences, computer science, and mathematics. Before joining NASA, they have worked in various capacities, including in the military, scientific research, and medical fields.

NASA’s astronaut selection process is highly competitive, with thousands of applicants vying for a limited number of spots. The candidates selected have demonstrated exceptional abilities, adaptability, and a passion for space exploration.

Once they complete their training, these astronauts will join the ranks of NASA’s current corps of astronauts, who are already preparing for future missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and beyond. With this new group, NASA is one step closer to achieving its long-term goals of establishing a sustainable presence on the lunar surface and eventually sending humans to Mars.

The addition of these 10 new astronauts not only brings fresh talent and perspectives to NASA’s space exploration efforts but also represents a crucial milestone in the agency’s ongoing quest to push the boundaries of human knowledge and presence in space.