Meet NASA’s New Generation of Astronauts
When we were kids, everyone had that one big dream. Some wanted to save lives, others performed on a stage, and a few even wanted to soar beyond the stars. There was something magical about the thought of floating through space, gazing down at Earth, doing something genuinely extraordinary. On September 22, 2025, NASA announced the selection of ten new astronaut candidates. They will spend the next two years training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and could fly to the International Space Station or to the Moon one day. And for students like us, they are a reminder that the biggest dreams start small.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said during the announcement that the selection process was one of the most competitive in years. “The 10 men and women sitting here today embody the truth that in America, regardless of where you start, there is no limit to what a determined dreamer can achieve – even going to space,” he said. The 2025 class is already making history. For the first time ever, women make up the majority of a NASA astronaut class, six out of the ten new recruits. The fourth crew member is Anna Menon, a former SpaceX employee who has previously flown to space on a private mission. Now, she is preparing to fly for NASA on future government missions.
The class members contribute distinct perspectives to the group. Ben Bailey serves as a U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer who has completed more than 2000 flight hours across thirty different aircraft types. Major Cameron Jones from the Air Force has established himself as a skilled test pilot. Aerospace engineer Katherine Spies serves as a civilian member who demonstrates exceptional problem-solving abilities. Lieutenant Commander Erin Overcash from the Navy serves as a pilot and previously competed in rugby at a competitive level. Major Adam Fuhrmann from the Air Force brings extensive experience in systems engineering to the team.
Dr. Lauren Edgar works as a planetary geologist who has contributed to Mars rover projects and Artemis lunar science teams. The former SpaceX launch director Yuri Kubo managed rocket launches before taking on his new role to direct future human spaceflight missions. Rebecca Lawler serves as a Navy and airline test pilot who shows both precision and bravery during flight operations. Dr. Imelda Muller serves as a medical doctor and neuroscientist who investigates human body responses to extreme environments, which becomes essential for Mars mission sustainability.
The team will undergo two years of training, which includes robotics education and space medicine and survival techniques. The astronauts will learn geology while performing underwater spacewalk simulations and operating high-speed aircraft to develop their reaction times. The training program will challenge their mental and physical limits, testing their ability to function under high-pressure situations, as the distance from home necessitates absolute teamwork.
The accomplishments of these astronauts serve as motivation for students all around the country. Lots of students walk a similar path that these astronauts once took, spending late nights studying while questioning if their dreams seemed unattainable. For Anna Menon, that dream was discovered during a fourth-grade NASA field trip, a moment that would shape the rest of her life. Even the smallest spark of curiosity has the potential to transform into an extraordinary achievement. NASA's newest astronauts demonstrate that dedication, along with bravery, enables people to achieve their most ambitious childhood aspirations.