NASA Astronaut Candidate, Veteran Mars Rover Operator, Eyes Red Planet Footprint
HOUSTON – Lauren Edgar, a geologist with nearly two decades of experience operating rovers on Mars, is among NASA’s newest astronaut candidates and says fulfilling a lifelong ambition to walk on the Red Planet “woudl be a dream.” Edgar was selected as one of the 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class (ASCANs) and is currently undergoing intensive training at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) and other NASA facilities.
Edgar’s extensive background includes visualizing herself on the Martian surface while working with rover teams,constantly considering how to mentally connect with the landscape.She expressed eagerness to potentially join a future mission to Mars, stating she “would welcome the prospect if it ever came.”
NASA views Artemis missions to the lunar surface as crucial preparation for longer-duration expeditions, ultimately aiming for Mars. Edgar emphasized the importance of teamwork and cross-training within the astronaut corps, noting, “If you’re the only people out there on a mission together, you need to be able to take care of each other and take care of the mission objectives.”
The 2025 ASCANs will spend the next two years honing skills including spacecraft operation, spacewalk simulations, foreign languages, and scientific disciplines. NASA highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the class, encompassing pilots, medical professionals, engineers, and scientists, to ensure thorough support for future missions.
Edgar specifically anticipates the geology training, noting the group will receive specialized instruction in multiple subspecialties. “I think the composition of our class reflects the needs of the program,” she said.”We’re going to need amazing pilots…people with medical backgrounds…engineers…scientists. And I think you’re seeing that in the full class composition. It’s really fun to learn from each other, and I can’t wait to see everything that comes ahead.”
