NASA’s 2025 astronaut class makes history with a majority of women, ready to train for future Artemis Moon and potential Mars missions (Photto: NASA)
The new 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class (ASCAN) was announced by NASA, which now stands as a watershed moment for and in view of its rare composition. The ten selected stars had a selection process from more than 8000 candidates and became the last selected astronaut group since NASA's inception in 1959. With the majority of the chosen candidates being women in history in representation of space exploration
The 2025 ASCAN class unites an array of backgrounds with the selected candidates Ben Bailey, Lauren Edgar, Adam Fuhrmann, Cameron Jones, Yuri Kubo, Rebecca Lawler, Anna Menon, Imelda Muller, Erin Overcash and Katherine Spies. These candidates come from lands some of which are geologists, aerospace engineers, test pilots, physicians, etc.
Dr. Lauren Edgar, a planetary geologist has been instrumental in developing NASA's Artemis science objectives. Having previously worked for SpaceX, Anna Menon is one of the first people to fly on a private spaceflight in 2024. This class also includes decorated military pilots, biomedical researchers and NASA career civil servants together representing a wide range of skills that will be critical in upcoming missions.
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Starting in early 2026, this class of candidates will enter NASA's Johnson Space Center for an extensive two years of training. Among the longer list of topics are extravehicular activities (spacewalks), robotics, spacecraft systems and an introduction to the Russian language used for coordination on the International Space Station.
While not on track to be part of Artemis's first crewed Moon landing, this class is being prepared for future missions further out into space. They could be among those to first take part in the building of a sustained lunar presence and fly on early missions to Mars a vision NASA hopes to accomplish in the 2030s.
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This astronaut class doesn't only stand for scientific and operational excellence but signifies one profound transformation in the cultural landscape of space exploration. With six women among its ten selected, NASA gets closer to its goals of diversity, equity and broad participation in space activities.
In shaping the future of human spaceflight, the 2025 ASCAN class will live on as a symbol of progress and a pledge for what lay ahead as humanity seeks beyond its atmosphere.
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Disclaimer: Information reflects NASA’s public data as of 2025; training schedules and mission plans are subject to change based on agency decisions.
