The selected class features individuals with extensive flight experience and advanced degrees in fields such as aerospace engineering, geology, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience, reflecting NASA's focus on diverse scientific expertise.

Among the candidates is Lauren Edgar, a former NASA geologist and Artemis 3 Geology Team member, who currently works at the U.S. Geological Survey and helps define lunar exploration goals.

The application process was highly competitive, with over 8,000 applicants from military, scientific, and aviation backgrounds, all meeting strict criteria including U.S. citizenship, advanced degrees, flight hours, and fitness tests.

Personal stories from the new astronauts include Maj. Adam Fuhrmann, who received his call while in traffic, and Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash, who reflected on her ocean-rescue experience as beneficial for space travel.

Katherine Spies, a Naval Test Pilot School graduate and former director of flight test engineering at Gulfstream Aerospace, is also part of this elite group.

Additional active service members include Army chief warrant officer Ben Bailey, Air Force majors Adam Fuhrmann and Cameron Jones, and Navy officer Imelda Muller, who is also an anesthesiologist.

This new class joins NASA's existing astronaut corps, which now totals 48, and will be given a nickname by the previous class, the 'Flies,' continuing NASA's tradition.

NASA has selected 10 new astronaut candidates from over 8,000 applicants, including six women and four men, to prepare for missions to the International Space Station, the moon, and potentially Mars.

Yuri Kubo, a SpaceX alumnus and former director of avionics for SpaceX's Starshield program, has also been selected, highlighting the collaboration between NASA and private space companies.

Candidates like Menon, with a background in biomedical engineering and experience supporting NASA hardware, and Lawler, with extensive flight hours and experience as a hurricane hunter, bring valuable expertise to the program.

Several candidates, including Erin Overcash, shared their excitement upon receiving the call to join NASA, illustrating their diverse backgrounds and readiness for space missions.

The training will include complex operations, scientific research, foreign languages, and high-performance jet flying, preparing astronauts for roles in exploration and commercial space station missions.