From 8,000 applicants to the next generation of space explorers

Space · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: NASA has officially unveiled its 202 even more exclusive 2025 astronaut class. These selected candidates survived a massive pool of 8,000 applicants and are now beginning a rigorous two-year journey toward the Moon, Mars, and the International Space Station.

The selection process for NASA's newest astronaut candidates is a feat of extreme competition. From an initial pool of approximately 8,000 applicants, a small group was chosen to join the 2025 class. A two-year programme of instruction awaits these people, preparing them for intricate human spaceflight tasks, such as visiting Mars, the Moon, or the International Space Station. Once their training is complete, these individuals will be qualified to participate in various space missions. This includes potential assignments to the International Space Station or even deep space journeys to Mars.

The announcement of this class coincided with a series of high-profile engagements in Washington, D.C. At the yearly White House STEM address, led by John Holdren, the Presidential Science Advisor, these trainees were present. During this event, they shared insights on the future of human exploration and STEM education with students, alongside a Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum event featuring a live conversation with the International Space Station crew. The candidates also participated in discussions regarding the state of science, technology, engineering, and math. These sessions were hosted by the Presidential Science Advisor, John Holdren.

While the new class prepares for their long-term training, NASA is simultaneously advancing the Artemis 2 mission. If everything proceeds as intended, the 2026 lunar orbit flight will carry four crew members: Jeremy Hansen, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman. Recent briefings have involved key NASA directors, such as Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson and mission manager Matt Ramsey, to provide technical overviews of the mission's science and technology components. The mission's technical oversight involves several specialized directors from Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. For instance, Judd Frieling serves as the lead ascent flight director for the Artemis 2 mission.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• NASA selects 10 candidates from a pool of over 8,000 applicants
• The grueling odds of becoming one of America's newest astronauts
• From Earth to Mars: How NASA Prepares the Next Generation of Space Explorers
• How eight candidates emerged from a pool of 6,000 applicants
• What does it take to join the elite ranks of modern space explorers?
• From the ISS to Earth: A commander's perspective on space life
• A direct line from the International Space Station to the classroom
• The grueling endurance required to step outside into the void
• How do we actually catch an asteroid before it hits us?
• From the International Space Station to the baseball mound
• How can we capture and relocate near-Earth asteroids?
• Answering the stars: An astronaut hosts a Q&A while his colleagues walk in space

More in Space agencies · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics