Houston, Texas, USA: Women from diverse professional backgrounds are increasingly leading the charge in NASA’s latest astronaut selection in the United States. From a pool of 8,000 applicants worldwide, NASA has named its top ten new-generation astronaut candidates, with six women making the cut. These candidates specialise in physical sciences, chemistry, and technology.

NASA’s Acting Director, Sean Duffy, introduced the Class of 2025’s top ten astronaut candidates at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston. The selected individuals include Ben Bailey, Lauren Edgar, Adam Furman, Cameron Jones, Yuri Kubo, Rebecca Lawler, Anna Menon, Imelda Muller, Erin Overca, and Catherine Spies. During the announcement, Duffy commended the candidates for their accomplishments and potential.

“These individuals represent some of the brightest scientists and innovators pushing the boundaries of human knowledge beyond the Moon and Mars. Their journey may have started in different places, but what counts is the impact they will create through their training in the United States and their pursuit of extraordinary goals,” said Duffy.

The first notable NASA astronaut team, Mercury Seven, was introduced decades ago to explore space. The Class of 2025 marks the 24th group of astronauts selected since then. Over the next two years, these aspiring astronauts will undergo intensive training in areas such as operating the International Space Station, robotics, geology, medical knowledge, foreign languages, and emergency procedures. They are also expected to contribute to NASA’s ambitious Artemis missions to the Moon.