NASA introduces its newest astronauts

(Dan Tri) - Six women and four men will undergo two years of training before being qualified to fly into space.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has just announced its list of 10 newest astronauts.

The announcement on September 22 marks a major step forward in the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

This group of astronauts, selected from more than 8,000 applicants, includes outstanding scientists , engineers and test pilots.

NASA's 10 newest astronauts pose behind the logo at the Space Center in Houston on Monday (photo: NASA).

Notably, this is the first time a new NASA astronaut class has had more women than men, with six women and four men.

Among them are a geologist who worked on the Mars rover Curiosity and a SpaceX engineer who participated in billionaire-funded orbital flights, including the world's first private spacewalk last year.

Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy stressed the importance of this new group of astronauts in achieving America's ambitious exploration goals.

"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 said at a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

He also asserted that the US would "win" the second race to put a man on the Moon, while warning of competition from other countries such as China.

For the first time, the new group of astronauts selected by NASA includes more women than men (photo: NASA)

Only 370 people have been selected as astronauts by NASA since 1959, making this an elite group. New members will undergo two years of intensive training before being qualified to fly into space, joining the 41 American astronauts currently serving.

NASA's director of flight operations, Norm Knight, praised the "excellence" of the new candidates, who include military pilots, a former SpaceX launch director and a medical doctor.

Air Force Major Adam Fuhrmann shared the moment he received the call inviting him to join the group while driving home, having to stop to "make sure I heard clearly."

Air Force Major Cameron Jones had also just moved across the country when he heard the good news. Navy Lieutenant Commander Erin Overcash, another pilot, expressed surprise: "No way. I mean, yeah, of course. But like, no way." She believes her experience living on a ship in the middle of the ocean will help with space travel.

Anna Menon, who flew with billionaire Jared Isaacman on a SpaceX flight last September, is the first NASA candidate to reach orbit. Her husband, a former SpaceX flight surgeon, was also selected in NASA’s final training class, making for a unique astronaut pairing.

"I am thrilled to officially become part of the NASA family," said Lauren Edgar from the US Geological Survey, who worked with the Curiosity rover on Mars and the Artemis program's science team.

This is NASA's 24th astronaut training class, following the previous class in 2021, and promises to make important contributions to the future of the aerospace industry.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/nasa-gioi-thieu-nhung-nha-du-hanh-vu-tru-moi-nhat-20250925040215478.htm