First of the Artemis Generation Set to Begin Training in January

The National Aeronautic Space Administration released the list of its newest class of astronaut candidates, naming 10 of the newest generation to a pilot corps that hasn't seen new blood in more than 4 years. Administrator Bill Nelson presented the membership at an event at Ellington Field Near the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. 

“Today we welcome 10 new explorers, 10 members of the Artemis generation, NASA’s 2021 astronaut candidate class,” Nelson said in his address. “Alone, each candidate has ‘the right stuff,’ but together they represent the creed of our country: E pluribus unum – out of many, one." 

Their training is set to begin in January of 2022 and last for two years as they move through the 5 primary astronaut categories. By the end of their course, they'll have learned how to maintain, operate, and repair a number of the International Space Station's systems in orbit as well as vitally necessary skills for orbital survival. Candidates will learn flight technique on the infamous T-38 trainer, Russian language skills, robotics operations, and proper spacewalk technique before finally seeing full astronaut ready status. The group was selected from the entirety of American territories and states, with some of the most demanding requirements ever asked of astronaut stock. Now, applicants must hold a master's degree in an appropriate STEM field, pass an online assessment, and (preferably) come from a female or diverse culture to offset the long-running streak of 60's NASA demographics.

“Each of you has amazing backgrounds,” Pam Melroy, former NASA astronaut and NASA’s deputy administrator, told the candidates. “You bring diversity in so many forms to our astronaut corps and you stepped up to one of the highest and most exciting forms of public service.”

FMI: www.nasa.gov