NASA’s newest astronauts selected for the Class of 2021 will graduate in a commencement ceremony on March 5, 2024, at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credit: NASA
NASAArtemis’ newest astronauts were introduced at a ceremony after completing rigorous training and preparing for future missions including lunar and space exploration. MarsWe have an ongoing partnership with UAE astronauts.
NASA welcomed its newest generation of Artemis astronauts Tuesday at a ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston. Ten astronaut graduates are now eligible for flight assignments. The agency also announced the opening of the next round of NASA astronaut applications.
Diverse explorers for future missions
“Congratulations to the newest class of NASA astronauts! We are excited to have a new and diverse group of explorers ready to expand human reach,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Astronauts are the pioneers who will help us launch this new era of exploration. We look forward to more adventurers ready to join our ranks to explore space, including future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. is needed.”
Astronaut graduates selected for training in 2021 were selected from more than 12,000 applicants and successfully completed more than two years of required basic training, including spacewalking, robotics, space station systems, and more.
The Astronaut Class of 2024 not only provides an inside look at who our graduates are, but also a glimpse into the personalities of these outstanding astronauts. Seeing them together as a group, connecting through laughter helps show how much they value team care. These classic superlatives tell us whether an astronaut is the best dancer, the funniest, etc. Appreciate the lighter side of ‘The Flies’ in this fun and light-hearted montage of the graduating class of astronauts in 2024. Credit: NASA
Challenges and Partnerships
Graduates may be assigned to missions aimed at: international space stationA future commercial space station, the Artemis campaign mission to explore the Moon in preparation for Mars, and more.
“Congratulations to NASA and our astronaut graduates,” said Kiran Ahuja, Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). “NASA worked with OPM to use an automated, streamlined hiring process to screen applicants for these prestigious roles. OPM is excited to continue supporting NASA experts in designing and implementing recruitment methods.”
It’s graduation day for NASA’s newest astronauts! Honor the newest astronaut candidates who have joined NASA and completed their training. Ten NASA candidates and two from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will receive their wings at a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and qualify for future missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and ultimately Mars. Credit: NASA
Celebration of NASA Leadership
“This is an amazing time to be an astronaut, with more destinations to explore aboard a variety of spacecraft,” said Astronaut Joe Acaba. “We are honored to welcome these astronauts and celebrate their hard work, and we look forward to growing our ranks as we help humanity reach the solar system.”
The graduating NASA astronauts are Nichole Ayers of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Marcos Berrios of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; Chris Birch of Gilbert, Arizona; Denise Bunham of Wasilla, Alaska; Luke Delaney of Debury, Florida; Andre Douglas of Chesapeake, Virginia; Jack Hathaway of South Windsor, Connecticut; Anil Menon of Minneapolis; Chris Williams from Potomac, Maryland and Jessica Wittner from Clovis, California.
The new astronauts fielded questions from the media and public following NASA’s Class of 2024 astronaut graduation ceremony. Credit: NASA
international cooperation
Continuing a long tradition of international partnerships, two astronauts from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla from the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Center, have been training with their NASA colleagues for the past two years. He received the award and also attended the graduation ceremony.
This is part of a partnership between NASA and the UAE, including collaboration on the International Space Station, NASA’s Artemis mission via the Gateway Lunar Space Station, and other activities on Earth and in space that support groundbreaking science and research.