Subsequent class of astronauts has extra ladies than males for the primary time in NASA historical past

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA launched its latest astronauts Monday, 10 scientists, engineers and check pilots chosen from greater than 8,000 candidates to assist explore the moon and possibly Mars.

For the primary time, there have been extra ladies than males in an incoming astronaut class. They included a geologist who labored on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover and a SpaceX engineer who’s already rocketed into orbit, flying on a billionaire-sponsored mission that featured the world’s first private spacewalk final yr.

The six ladies and 4 males will endure two years of coaching earlier than turning into eligible for spaceflight.

Acting Administrator Sean Duffy stated considered one of them may develop into one of many first to step on Mars. He additionally pressured that the U.S. will win this second race to land astronauts on the moon.

“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,” Duffy stated at Monday’s ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Some are challenging our leadership in space, say like the Chinese … We are going to win.”

It is the twenty fourth astronaut class for NASA because the unique Mercury Seven made their debut in 1959. The earlier class was in 2021.

Only 370 folks have been chosen by NASA as astronauts, making it an awfully small and elite group composed principally of males. The newest additions will be a part of 41 energetic U.S. astronauts at the moment serving within the corps.

NASA’s flight operations director Norm Knight stated competitors was stiff and referred to as the newcomers “distinguished” and “exceptional.” They embrace a number of navy pilots, a former SpaceX launch director and a medical physician.

Air Force Maj. Adam Fuhrmann stated he obtained the decision inviting him into the astronaut corps whereas driving residence in rush hour site visitors. He took the primary exit and pulled right into a car parking zone “just to make sure I was hearing” proper. Another Air Force pilot, Maj. Cameron Jones, was simply settling into his new empty residence after a cross-country transfer.

Yet one other pilot, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash, obtained the information whereas enjoyable at residence. Her first phrases? “No way. I mean, I mean, yes, of course. But like no way.” She figures her expertise caught on a ship in the midst of the ocean with 5,000 others will serve her properly coping with area journey.

Anna Menon, who accompanied billionaire Jared Isaacman on a SpaceX flight final September, is NASA’s first astronaut candidate to have already visited orbit. She’ll be in good firm at Johnson: Her husband, a former SpaceX flight surgeon, was chosen in NASA’s final astronaut class.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Lauren Edgar labored with the Curiosity rover at Mars and, most just lately, the science workforce behind the primary moon touchdown by astronauts below the Artemis program that’s focused for 2027 on the earliest. “I am so excited to be officially part of the NASA family,” she stated.

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