Following extensive training and preparation for upcoming missions, such as trips to the Moon and Mars, NASA’s newest Artemis astronauts were presented at a ceremony. They continue to work together with astronauts from the United Arab Emirates.

At a ceremony held on Tuesday at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the agency welcomed the newest batch of future generation Artemis astronauts. Now, the ten astronaut graduates are qualified for assignments in flight. The organization also declared the start of the next NASA astronaut application cycle.

Various Pioneers for Upcoming Projects

“Congratulations to the newest class of NASA astronauts! We are excited to have a new and diverse set of explorers ready to expand humanity’s reach,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Astronauts are pioneers who will help us embark on this new era of exploration, and we need more adventurers ready to join the ranks to explore the cosmos, including future missions to the Moon, on to Mars, and beyond.”

From a pool of over 12,000 hopefuls, the astronaut grads were picked for training in 2021 and successfully finished the more than two years of basic training that was required, which included spacewalking, robotics, space station systems, and more.

The 2024 astronaut class offers you a behind-the-scenes peek into the personalities of the accomplished astronauts in addition to a who’s who of their graduation class. Seeing them all together and their ability to connect through humor shows how much they appreciate teamwork. These vintage superlatives reveal which among the astronauts can dance the best, laugh the hardest, and more. Watch this lively and entertaining clip of the 2024 astronaut graduation class to see a lighter side of “The Flies.” NASA is credited.

Partnerships and Assignments

The graduates might be sent on trips to the International Space Station, future private space stations, or the Moon as part of the Artemis program to prepare for a journey to Mars.

“Congratulations to NASA and the astronaut graduates,” said U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kiran Ahuja. “By partnering with OPM, NASA employed an automated and streamlined hiring process to screen applicants for these prestigious roles. OPM is thrilled to continue supporting NASA experts to design and implement their hiring methods.”

The newest astronauts of NASA are graduating today! Join NASA as they celebrate the graduation of the newest class of astronaut candidates. At a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, ten NASA candidates and two candidates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will receive their wings, making them eligible for assignments to the International Space Station, the Moon, and eventually missions to Mars. NASA is credited.

Congratulations From NASA Leadership

“It’s an incredible time to be an astronaut with a variety of spacecraft to fly and more destinations to explore,” said Chief Astronaut Joe Acaba. “I’m honored to welcome these astronauts, congratulate them on their hard work, and look forward to growing our ranks as we help expand humanity’s reach into the solar system.”

Nichole Ayers from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Marcos Berríos from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Chris Birch from Gilbert, Arizona, Deniz Bunham from Wasilla, Alaska, Luke Delaney from Debary, Florida, Andre Douglas from Chesapeake, Virginia, Jack Hathaway from South Windsor, Connecticut, Anil Menon from Minneapolis, Chris Williams from Potomac, Maryland, and Jessica Wittner from Clovis, California are the NASA astronauts who are graduating.

Following NASA’s 2024 Astronaut Graduation Ceremony, incoming astronauts answered questions from the press and general public. NASA is credited.

Global Cooperation

Two United Arab Emirates (UAE) astronauts, Nora AlMatrooshi and Mohammad AlMulla of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Space Centre, have been training with their NASA counterparts for the past two years and took part in the graduation ceremony, carrying on a long-standing history of international cooperation.

This is a small portion of NASA and the UAE’s partnership, which also includes work on the International Space Station, NASA’s Artemis missions via the Gateway lunar space station, and other ground- and space-based endeavors that promote innovative science and research.