NASA Welcomes New Class of Artemis Astronauts and Opens Applications for Next Round
In an exciting ceremony held at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the agency welcomed its newest class of next-generation Artemis astronauts. These 10 astronaut graduates have now become eligible for flight assignments, marking a significant milestone in their careers. The event also saw the announcement of the opening for the next round of NASA astronaut applications, inviting aspiring space explorers to join the ranks.
The NASA Administrator, Bill Nelson, expressed his enthusiasm for the new class of astronauts, stating, “Congratulations to the newest class of NASA astronauts! We are excited to have a new and diverse set of explorers ready to expand humanity’s reach.” Nelson emphasized the crucial role that astronauts play as pioneers in this new era of exploration, highlighting the need for more adventurers to join the ranks and embark on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The 10 astronaut graduates were selected for training in 2021 from a pool of over 12,000 applicants. They successfully completed more than two years of rigorous basic training, which included essential skills such as spacewalking, robotics, and space station systems. Their training has prepared them for a range of potential missions, including those destined for the International Space Station, future commercial space stations, and Artemis campaign missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars.
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director, Kiran Ahuja, commended NASA and the astronaut graduates on their achievements. Ahuja highlighted the partnership between OPM and NASA, which employed an automated and streamlined hiring process to screen applicants for these prestigious roles. The OPM is thrilled to continue supporting NASA experts in designing and implementing effective hiring methods.
Chief Astronaut Joe Acaba expressed his excitement about the current opportunities for astronauts, stating, “It’s an incredible time to be an astronaut with a variety of spacecraft to fly and more destinations to explore.” Acaba warmly welcomed the new astronauts, congratulating them on their hard work and expressing his anticipation for the growth of their ranks as they expand humanity’s reach into the solar system.
The graduating class of NASA astronauts comprises a diverse group of individuals from various locations across the United States. They are Nichole Ayers of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Marcos Berríos of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; Chris Birch of Gilbert, Arizona; Deniz Bunham of Wasilla, Alaska; Luke Delaney of Debary, Florida; Andre Douglas of Chesapeake, Virginia; Jack Hathaway of South Windsor, Connecticut; Anil Menon of Minneapolis; Chris Williams of Potomac, Maryland, and Jessica Wittner of Clovis, California. This talented group represents the future of space exploration and will contribute to advancing scientific knowledge and discovery.
Continuing the long-standing tradition of international partnership, two UAE astronauts, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla from the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, trained alongside their NASA counterparts for the past two years. They also participated in the graduation ceremony, underscoring the collaboration between NASA and the UAE. This partnership extends to cooperation on the International Space Station, NASA’s Artemis missions through the Gateway lunar space station, and other groundbreaking scientific research endeavors on Earth and in space.
For those aspiring to follow in the footsteps of these accomplished astronauts, NASA has opened applications for the next round of astronaut candidates. The agency encourages individuals with a passion for space exploration to apply through the official USAJOBS website.
The recent ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center marked a significant milestone in the agency’s ongoing efforts to expand humanity’s reach into space. With a new class of Artemis astronauts ready to embark on future missions and the opportunity for aspiring astronauts to join their ranks, the future of space exploration looks brighter than ever. As we continue to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge, these astronauts will play a vital role in unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos and paving the way for future generations of space explorers.
For more information and to apply to become a NASA astronaut, visit:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/779261100
