NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class as “The Flies” Graduate
NASA is once again on the lookout for a new group of astronauts as it opens applications for its next class. This announcement comes as the space agency celebrates the graduation of its latest class of astronauts, affectionately known as “The Flies.” The graduation ceremony took place at the Johnson Space Center in Houston on Tuesday, March 5.
Shannon Walker, deputy chief of NASA’s Astronaut Office and “class mom” for the Group 23 astronauts, expressed her excitement about the new class, stating, “The breadth and depth of experience that this class brings to our space program is nothing short of amazing.” She also emphasized that everyone has a unique talent to contribute to the astronaut corps.
The 10 members of Group 23 successfully completed two years of basic training and are now eligible for spaceflight assignments. The group consists of four women and six men, namely Nichole Ayers, Marcos Berríos, Chris Birch, Deniz Burnham, Luke Delaney, Andre Douglas, Jack Hathaway, Anil Menon, Christopher Williams, and Jessica Wittner. With their graduation, the total number of active members in the Astronaut Office now stands at 48.
During the graduation ceremony, a video message from Expedition 70 flight engineer Loral O’Hara aboard the International Space Station was played. O’Hara congratulated the new graduates and highlighted the significance of their achievement. “The International Space Station is well worth the wait,” she said.
In addition to the American graduates, two members of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) second class of astronauts, Nora Al Matrooshi and Mohammad Al Mulla, also received their silver NASA astronaut pins. Under an agreement between NASA and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center, these UAE astronauts underwent training with “The Flies” and are now qualified to fly on future NASA missions.
The graduation of Group 23 marks an important milestone for NASA, as they are the first astronaut class to graduate since the agency began assigning new crews for the Artemis program. This program aims to send astronauts back to the moon and eventually to Mars. In April 2023, NASA announced the four astronauts who will fly on Artemis 2, the first crewed flight to go around the moon in over 50 years.
Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17 lunar module pilot and the only geologist to walk on the moon, addressed the new graduates during the ceremony. He humorously remarked, “Had we known what Group 23 was going to be like, we probably never would have volunteered. It would have been a waste of time.” Schmitt also mentioned that some flight assignments have already been made for the new astronauts.
While “The Flies” may not be the first in line for the next moon landing, they will likely fill technical roles supporting the initial flights. This includes serving as capcoms in Mission Control and overseeing the preparation of rockets and spacecraft for future missions.
As NASA opens applications for its 24th class of astronauts, interested individuals must be U.S. citizens and meet certain criteria. This includes having a master’s degree in a STEM field, a doctorate in medicine or osteopathic medicine, or being qualified as a test pilot. Applicants must also have relevant professional experience or pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.
The application process will involve an online assessment consistent with modern hiring practices. The number of individuals to be selected for the new astronaut class is yet to be determined.
With the graduation of “The Flies” and the opening of applications for a new class, NASA continues its mission to explore space and expand human presence beyond Earth. The agency’s commitment to diversity and international collaboration is evident through its partnership with the UAE and the signing of the Artemis Accords with 36 countries.
The future of space exploration looks promising, and the next generation of astronauts will play a vital role in achieving NASA’s ambitious goals. As we venture to the moon and beyond, the legacy of “The Flies” will serve as an inspiration for future space explorers.
