NASA to announce new class of astronauts. Right here’s easy methods to watch

---

The subsequent era of NASA astronauts may very well be those heading to the moon and even Mars.

NASA will announce the primary class of astronauts in 4 years who might in the future be eligible for missions to the moon and Mars.

Only a dozen or so candidates are anticipated to be chosen from a pool of greater than 8,000 individuals who utilized in 2024, in response to the U.S. house company. Their names will probably be introduced throughout a Monday, Sept. 22, ceremony happening in Texas.

If the candidates are in a position to full a rigorous coaching program, they might in the future be part of an unique group of simply greater than 40 energetic American astronauts – and 360 ever – who’ve been chosen for service within the U.S. house program.

The choice of a brand new astronaut class additionally comes as NASA prepares for a variety of high-profile landmark missions, together with the first lunar campaign in additional than 5 a long time and the primary human expeditions to the Red Planet.

Here’s what to know concerning the new astronaut class, and easy methods to watch a ceremony unveiling their names.

NASA to announce new astronaut class

NASA will announce the following group of astronaut candidates chosen from more than 8,000 applications.

Though it is unclear what number of astronaut candidates will probably be chosen, NASA indicated it may very well be between 12 to 16 folks.

The candidates are the primary class of astronaut candidates in 4 years since 10 new astronauts were selected as part of the 2021 class.

NASA lists a complete of 41 active astronauts with the U.S. house company.

How, when to look at NASA astronauts livestream on YouTube, Amazon Prime

The ceremony asserting the brand new astronaut candidates begins at 12:30 p.m. ET Monday, Sept. 22, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, according to NASA.

Coverage will probably be out there on the company’s streaming app, NASA+ – additionally out there on YouTube and the company’s X account – in addition to Amazon Prime.

While Netflix additionally supplies some reside NASA protection, together with rocket launches, the astronaut ceremony won’t be out there to stream on the platform.

Watch NASA astronauts live stream with Prime Video

What will the brand new NASA astronauts do?

Ahead of the astronaut candidates is two years of intensive training earlier than they might graduate and be eligible for any NASA missions.

What NASA missions are arising? Artemis moon landings, Mars

The spacefarers chosen for the following class of American astronauts might in the future be headed to the moon and even to Mars.

NASA’s Artemis program is the company’s formidable marketing campaign to return Americans to the floor of the moon for the primary time in additional than 50 years. The final U.S. astronaut to land on the moon was Dec. 19, 1972, throughout NASA’s Apollo 17 mission.

In the years forward, NASA’s Artemis marketing campaign goals to ascertain a lunar settlement on the south pole, the place water ice considered considerable within the area might be extracted and used for consuming, respiratory and as a supply of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket gasoline.

The settlement – which incorporates plans for a nuclear reactor – would function a base of operations to make additional crewed house missions, together with journeys to Mars, doable.

NASA additionally frequently selects astronauts for routine journeys to the International Space Station. Though the outpost is because of be retired within the 2030s, NASA is looking for plans for a industrial alternative of the long-lasting orbital laboratory.

Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com