The two-story house at 601 W. Benton St. in Wapakoneta has been owned since 1988 by retired educator Karen Mikesell, who has spent decades preserving many of the home’s historic features. Although the residence has never operated as a public museum, it has attracted visitors interested in Armstrong’s legacy because of its proximity to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.

Home Played a Key Role in Armstrong’s Early Years

Armstrong’s family moved into the home in 1944 after years of relocating throughout Ohio because of his father’s work as a state government auditor.

While living there, Armstrong pursued his growing interest in aviation by building model airplanes in the dining room and constructing a wind tunnel in the basement to test their designs. He also regularly rode his bicycle to a nearby airfield for flying lessons.

At age 16, Armstrong earned his student pilot’s license before obtaining a driver’s license, an achievement that reflected his early dedication to aviation.

He later became a naval aviator, test pilot and NASA astronaut before commanding the Apollo 11 mission that landed the first humans on the moon in July 1969. After leaving NASA, Armstrong taught engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

Owner Preserved the Home’s Historical Character

Mikesell said she did not know the home’s connection to Armstrong when she purchased it. After learning of its history from another teacher, she made preserving the residence a long-term personal project.

Over the years, she welcomed nine astronauts to the home, including Apollo 11 lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin.

Mikesell recalled that Aldrin became emotional while visiting Armstrong’s former bedroom several years after Armstrong died in 2012.

The home also contains numerous space-related artifacts collected over the years, including signed astronaut photographs, a moon rock and a piece of gold foil from the Apollo 11 command module that was presented by a U.S. Navy recovery diver involved in the spacecraft’s recovery after splashdown.

Several visiting astronauts also left handwritten notes thanking Mikesell for preserving an important part of American space history.

Many Original Features Remain

Although portions of the home have been modernized, much of its original layout remains intact.

Armstrong’s former bedroom now contains photographs, artwork and aviation memorabilia, including a model of one of the Wright brothers’ early aircraft, honoring the pioneers who inspired his interest in flight.

Outside, a garage Armstrong built with his father from salvaged lumber still stands. A former chicken coop that once served as a meeting place for Boy Scout activities no longer exists.

Although Armstrong valued his privacy throughout his life, Mikesell said she maintained contact with members of his family, including his parents, siblings and children, even though she never met Armstrong personally.

Future Ownership Remains Uncertain

Now 82, Mikesell said she hopes a future owner will continue preserving the home’s historical significance and perhaps eventually donate it to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.

Museum spokesperson Logan Rex said the institution currently does not have the financial resources to purchase the property.

Listed for $430,000, the home is not protected under historic preservation laws, meaning future owners could alter the property. Mikesell nevertheless expressed confidence that whoever purchases the residence will recognize its importance as part of America’s space exploration heritage.

She said she believes the home has been well cared for during her ownership and hopes its next chapter will continue honoring Neil Armstrong’s remarkable legacy.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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Although no telescope directly captured the moment of impact, astronomers reported detecting a plume of material consistent with the collision after the approximately four-ton upper-stage rocket struck the lunar surface at about 5,400 mph (8,700 kph).

Researchers said the findings provide compelling evidence that the inactive rocket stage completed its unintended journey and impacted the moon, drawing renewed attention to the growing challenge of managing human-made debris as lunar exploration accelerates.

Telescope observations support predicted impact

A research team led by Boston University astronomer Carl Schmidt used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to monitor the expected impact site.

The team detected a plume of sodium and lithium extending tens of kilometers above the lunar surface that remained visible for between five and 10 minutes after the predicted collision.

“We don’t have images of the impact,” Schmidt said, but noted that the telescope observations clearly revealed the resulting debris plume.

He said the researchers are “100% certain” the observations represent evidence of the lunar impact.

Scientists say collision was inevitable

Retired astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell said observations made the night before the impact showed the rocket stage traveling directly toward the moon.

The impact is believed to have occurred near Einstein Crater, located on the moon’s sunlit western limb near the boundary between the near and far sides, an area that is difficult to observe from Earth.

“There’s no doubt in my mind” that the rocket “is now in teeny, little pieces scattered over the moon near Einstein Crater,” McDowell told The Associated Press.

He added that, based on orbital mechanics, the collision had become unavoidable.

Dutch astronomer Marco Langbroek also attempted to observe the event but did not detect a visible plume.

“We knew this would be a long shot,” Langbroek said, adding that he also has “no doubt” the rocket struck the lunar surface.

Scientists expect definitive confirmation once NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter photographs the impact site during a future orbital pass.

Rocket remained in space after lunar mission

The Falcon upper stage launched from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 15, 2025, carrying Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and ispace’s Resilience lunar landers.

After deploying both spacecraft, the upper stage remained in cislunar space instead of returning to Earth.

According to SpaceX Vice President Julianna Scheiman, the lunar impact was not intentional. She said changing solar activity and gravitational forces gradually altered the rocket’s trajectory until it intersected the moon.

Scheiman said SpaceX is working with NASA to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents on future missions.

The mission’s two lunar landers had different outcomes.

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost became the first privately developed spacecraft to achieve a successful lunar landing, while ispace’s Resilience crashed during its landing attempt.

Growing lunar activity raises debris concerns

Scientists say the incident illustrates a broader issue as lunar missions become increasingly frequent.

In 2022, another discarded rocket stage believed to belong to China unintentionally struck the moon. Researchers also suspect that additional rocket stages from earlier decades impacted the lunar surface without being detected.

The number of missions operating near the moon is expected to increase significantly over the coming years.

NASA plans additional robotic and crewed Artemis missions, while SpaceX and Blue Origin continue developing lunar landing systems intended to support future astronaut missions.

SpaceX is testing its Starship launch system, and Blue Origin is preparing its Blue Moon lunar lander for future missions.

NASA currently plans Artemis III as a docking rehearsal in Earth orbit next year before a later crewed lunar landing, with astronauts potentially returning to the moon as early as 2028.

McDowell said the increasing number of spacecraft operating around the moon means accidental impacts will become a more significant concern.

“Things are going to get a lot busier near the moon,” he said. “At that point an impact like this on the lunar surface plowing up huge amounts of dust going for hundreds of miles around is not going to be acceptable.”

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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According to China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, the first stage of a Long March-10B rocket separated from the upper stage after liftoff before returning to a recovery platform at sea. It was the first time China had successfully retrieved the first stage of an orbital launch vehicle for future reuse.

The achievement represents an important step in China’s long-term strategy to develop more cost-effective launch capabilities as competition in the global space sector continues to expand.

China joins the reusable rocket race

Recovering and reusing rocket boosters has become a defining technology for modern space launch providers because it significantly reduces the cost of placing satellites and other payloads into orbit.

SpaceX pioneered routine booster recovery, using reusable Falcon 9 first stages to support frequent commercial, scientific and government missions. The company has completed more than 600 successful landings, recovering boosters on both offshore drone ships and land-based landing zones.

Earlier this week, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 first-stage booster for a record 36th flight, demonstrating the operational advantages of reusable launch systems.

Blue Origin has also developed reusable rocket technology, first recovering its New Shepard boosters after suborbital missions in Texas before expanding the capability to its larger New Glenn launch vehicle, whose boosters are recovered on a floating platform off Florida’s coast.

China’s successful recovery places it among a small group of countries and companies that have demonstrated reusable first-stage technology.

Long March program expands launch capability

The reusable Long March-10B lifted off from Hainan Island, China’s southern coastal launch site and a major center for the country’s expanding space program.

According to Xinhua, the reusable version of the rocket is capable of delivering payloads of up to 16,000 kilograms (35,275 pounds) into low Earth orbit.

By comparison, SpaceX says its Falcon 9 can carry up to 22,800 kilograms (50,265 pounds) to low Earth orbit. Falcon 9 rockets regularly transport satellites, cargo and astronauts, including missions to the International Space Station.

The latest recovery marks a significant technological advancement for China’s launch industry as it seeks to improve launch efficiency and reduce operating costs through reusable systems.

Global competition continues to grow

China’s achievement comes as reusable launch technology becomes an increasingly important area of competition among national space agencies and commercial launch providers.

The successful booster recovery follows years of development by SpaceX and Blue Origin and precedes Japan’s planned reusable rocket demonstration this weekend, underscoring growing international efforts to develop lower-cost access to space.

As more countries pursue reusable launch vehicles, the technology is expected to play an increasingly central role in commercial satellite deployment, scientific missions and national space programs.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: China | Long March Rocket | Reusable Rockets | Space Technology | Space Exploration | SpaceX | Blue Origin | Aerospace

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The reusable vehicle, known as the RV-X, lifted off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) Noshiro Testing Center in northeastern Japan before hovering, moving horizontally and landing safely during a flight lasting less than one minute. The test was livestreamed by NVS, a Japanese space enthusiasts’ group.

JAXA said it would provide additional details on the demonstration during an online briefing later on Saturday.

Reusable technology targets lower launch costs

The successful flight supports Japan’s long-term objective of developing reusable rocket technology capable of reducing the cost of placing satellites and other payloads into orbit.

SpaceX has demonstrated reusable rocket operations for several years, significantly lowering launch costs and reshaping the commercial space sector. Japan is seeking to narrow that technological gap by developing a reusable successor to its current H3 launch vehicle.

The RV-X program represents an early stage in that effort, with Saturday’s demonstration serving as a key technology validation before more advanced testing.

Successor to the H3 rocket under development

Japan’s H3 rocket was introduced as a more economical replacement for the H-2A launch vehicle, which built a near-perfect launch success record during its operational life. Despite improvements in manufacturing and operating costs, the H3 remains a single-use rocket, leaving further cost reductions necessary for Japan to compete more effectively in the global launch market.

The Japanese government has identified reliable and commercially competitive launch capability as an important element of both the country’s space program and its national security strategy.

Future tests planned as development continues

JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are jointly developing the RV-X reusable rocket.

The experimental vehicle measures 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in diameter and 7.3 meters (23.9 feet) in length. It is equipped with engines designed for repeated use and four shock-absorbing landing legs intended to support vertical recovery after flight.

The agency is also collaborating with France and Germany on reusable launch technologies as part of broader international development efforts.

JAXA plans to expand testing by flying the RV-X to an altitude of about 100 meters (328 feet) during future demonstrations, building on the successful initial flight.

Regional competition in reusable launch technology

The test comes one day after Chinese state media reported that China had achieved its first successful recovery of a rocket’s first stage following launch, highlighting growing competition among Asian space programs to develop reusable launch systems.

As governments and commercial operators seek lower-cost access to space, reusable rocket technology is becoming an increasingly important capability for national space programs aiming to compete in the global launch market.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Japan | JAXA | Reusable Rockets | Space Exploration | H3 Rocket | Space Technology | Commercial Space | Aerospace

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Funk died Wednesday at her apartment in an assisted living facility in Grapevine, Texas, according to Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O’Dell, who also served as her caregiver. O’Dell said she was by Funk’s side when she died.

Funk had recently suffered several falls and developed a leg infection that contributed to her declining health, O’Dell said.

“It took its toll,” O’Dell said in a telephone interview.

Funk spent decades pursuing a dream that was repeatedly denied. In the early 1960s, she was one of the Mercury 13, a group of female pilots who completed the same demanding medical and physical tests as NASA’s male astronaut candidates. However, NASA never admitted the women into its astronaut program because women were excluded from serving as astronauts at the time.

That changed in 2021 when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos invited Funk to join Blue Origin’s first crewed spaceflight as an honored guest.

At 82, she became the oldest woman to travel into space during the suborbital flight from West Texas. She flew alongside Bezos and two other passengers. Her record was later surpassed by William Shatner and Ed Dwight, who each traveled to space at age 90.

Tributes honor an aviation trailblazer

Blue Origin paid tribute to Funk following news of her death, describing her as “a pioneer in every sense of the word.”

“We were humbled to be part of her journey,” the company said in a post on X.

O’Dell remembered Funk as someone who refused to let rejection define her.

“She was told by many, many, many men, ‘No, you can’t do this. No, you can’t do that,'” O’Dell said. “And she never got mad about it. She just was more determined.”

A legacy that extended beyond space

Funk also achieved several historic milestones during her aviation career. She became the first female inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration and later the first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, according to a biography released by the City of Grapevine.

Although she never flew as a NASA astronaut, Funk became a lasting symbol of determination and perseverance. Her eventual journey into space inspired generations of women interested in aviation, science and aerospace careers.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also honored Funk in a post on X.

“Wally Funk never stopped believing that one day she would reach space,” Isaacman wrote. “Her passion for flight, perseverance, and love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans. Godspeed, Wally.”

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Space Exploration | Aviation | Obituaries | NASA | Blue Origin | Women in STEM | Mercury 13

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Located on a mountaintop in Chile, the observatory will capture hundreds of images every night for the next 10 years. Researchers say the repeated observations will help detect faint celestial objects that previous surveys could not observe.

The project is expected to produce one of the largest astronomical datasets ever assembled. Scientists around the world will use the observations to study billions of stars in the Milky Way and billions of galaxies beyond it.

“We’re going to see large numbers of scientists across the world working with this data set, studying the universe in a way that they haven’t been able to before,” said Phil Marshall, the observatory’s deputy director of operations.

Survey Designed for Repeated Sky Observations

Unlike many telescopes that concentrate on individual targets, the Rubin Observatory will repeatedly scan large sections of the southern sky. As a result, astronomers expect to identify faint objects that have previously escaped detection.

The repeated imaging will also allow researchers to monitor how celestial objects change over time. In addition, the observatory’s digital camera can capture hundreds of images each night, providing a continuous stream of scientific data throughout the survey.

Researchers Aim to Expand the Cosmic Census

Scientists hope the observations will create one of the most comprehensive maps of the universe ever produced.

The survey will record billions of stars across the Milky Way as well as billions of distant galaxies. Researchers expect these observations to improve studies of how galaxies form, evolve, and cluster over billions of years.

Furthermore, repeated observations may uncover previously unseen objects, offering new opportunities to examine the large-scale structure of the universe.

Observatory Ready After Instrument Calibration

The Rubin Observatory released its first public images last year, including detailed views of the Trifid Nebula and Lagoon Nebula, both located thousands of light-years from Earth.

Since then, engineers and researchers have calibrated the observatory’s instruments to achieve the depth and precision required for the full survey. Those preparations have now been completed, allowing routine scientific observations to begin.

Dark Matter and Dark Energy Remain Major Research Goals

In addition to mapping the cosmos, researchers hope the survey will provide new evidence about two of astronomy’s biggest mysteries: dark matter and dark energy.

The observatory is named after astronomer Vera Rubin, whose research provided early evidence that an unseen form of matter influences the motion of galaxies.

Although researchers expect the new observations to offer additional clues about dark matter and dark energy, they have not suggested that the survey will provide definitive answers. Instead, the data may help scientists better understand how these poorly understood components influence the evolution of the universe.

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy. Researchers expect the decade-long project to become one of the most valuable astronomical resources for the global scientific community.

Tags: Vera C. Rubin Observatory, Vera Rubin, Space Exploration, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Dark Matter, Dark Energy, Milky Way, National Science Foundation, Chile

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The mission did not attempt a landing or lunar orbit insertion, but it successfully tested the integrated performance of NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft during a full crewed cislunar profile. Engineers will now use the reentry, communications blackout, and heat-shield performance data to refine spacecraft models ahead of the next phases of the Artemis program, which target docking rehearsals and eventual south polar surface operations.

Aboard the Orion capsule were NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, whose mission also marked several historic firsts in crew diversity for lunar exploration. Beyond symbolism, the mission provided NASA with operational human-factors data on long-duration crew systems, consumables, and habitat performance in deep space.

Study Design and Mission Systems Validation

From a research and engineering perspective, Artemis II functioned as a full-scale experimental flight of NASA’s lunar transportation stack. The spacecraft traveled roughly 694,000 miles on a free-return trajectory that pushed the crew to a record 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13’s human-distance benchmark.

The most consequential systems test came during atmospheric reentry, when Orion struck Earth’s upper atmosphere at roughly Mach 33. During this phase, the capsule encountered extreme plasma heating, causing a planned communications blackout that served as a real-world validation point for thermal simulations and reentry guidance models.

NASA and recovery teams are expected to conduct post-flight inspections of the ablative heat shield, parachute deployment sequence, and capsule structural integrity. These analyses are essential because lunar-return velocities impose substantially higher thermal and mechanical stress than low-Earth orbit missions.

Key Scientific and Operational Findings

The mission produced significant observational value despite its engineering-first design. Crew members documented unprecedented human-view imagery of the lunar far side and captured a total solar eclipse during the flyby, offering visual and positional datasets that may assist future mission planning and public science outreach.

Operationally, the flight also surfaced several manageable system anomalies, including valve-related issues affecting drinking water and propellant subsystems, as well as sanitation malfunctions. These are not minor footnotes in aerospace research reporting; such anomalies provide crucial failure-mode data that informs redundancy design and life-support upgrades for later Artemis missions.

One major insight from this phase is that the spacecraft maintained full mission success despite subsystem inconveniences, suggesting robust fault tolerance in Orion’s architecture.

Limitations and Uncertainty

While the splashdown represents a major milestone in space systems research, the mission remains a test flight rather than proof of readiness for sustained lunar surface operations. A flyby profile does not replicate the complexity of orbital rendezvous, lunar descent, surface habitat deployment, or extended polar mission logistics.

The spacecraft also returned with a limited sample size of one crewed reentry under lunar conditions. Aerospace engineers will need additional repeated mission data before confirming long-term reliability trends, especially for heat-shield wear, avionics resilience, and human-system performance.

Further uncertainty remains around budgetary, scheduling, and hardware readiness factors that could affect downstream Artemis timelines.

Broader Scientific Context

Artemis II’s strongest contribution to research lies in reducing uncertainty for future human lunar science campaigns. By demonstrating safe crew transport beyond Earth orbit and back, NASA has materially advanced the evidence base required for more complex exploration objectives, including south polar geology missions and eventual lunar infrastructure development.

The data from this mission is likely to shape not only Artemis III and IV flight rules, but also long-term systems engineering for Mars transit vehicles, where reentry protection, crew autonomy, and life-support resilience become even more critical.

Rather than a symbolic return to Apollo-era achievements, Artemis II represents a modern experimental platform for validating the technologies needed for sustained human research beyond Earth.

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China’s space agency says three astronauts who remained aboard the Tiangong station after a debris strike damaged their original spacecraft will return to Earth on Friday using the Shenzhou-21 vehicle. The crew, who launched in April for a six-month mission, remained in orbit for nearly two additional weeks while engineers assessed their return options. Authorities say the astronauts are healthy and the station remains fully operational.

Background on the Mission

The three astronauts — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie — have been living aboard the Tiangong space station since April as part of China’s long-duration Shenzhou program. Their mission, designed for routine scientific research and station maintenance, followed the established six-month rotation model used during previous Shenzhou flights.

China has pursued a steady human-spaceflight schedule since launching its first astronauts in 2003. The Tiangong station, completed in 2022, is the centerpiece of these efforts and allows China to operate continuous crewed missions similar to the International Space Station model. According to China’s Manned Space Engineering Office, each rotation supports biological, medical, materials, and technology experiments that contribute to China’s long-term exploration plans, including a human lunar landing target set for 2030.

Space Debris Incident Disrupts Planned Return

Initial Return Plan Interrupted

The astronauts were slated to return to Earth four days after the arrival of their replacement crew on 1 November. Such handovers help maintain uninterrupted operations aboard Tiangong, ensuring that experiments, maintenance, and station monitoring continue without gaps.

However, shortly before the crew’s planned departure, mission controllers observed irregularities in the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft. According to state media reports citing Chinese space officials, engineers believe the vessel was struck by a small piece of orbiting debris, a growing concern for all spacefaring nations as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly congested with defunct satellites, rocket fragments, and micrometeoroids.

Space Debris: A Rising Global Risk

Space debris is one of the most persistent hazards for crewed missions, with agencies including NASA, ESA, and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs warning of rising collision risks in low-Earth orbit. Even millimeter-sized fragments can compromise spacecraft integrity due to their extreme velocities, often exceeding 25,000 kilometers per hour.

While China has not released detailed technical assessments of the Shenzhou-20 impact, the decision to abort the spacecraft’s return indicates concerns about capsule safety. The incident underscores broader discussions among space agencies about the need for enhanced debris-tracking systems and internationally coordinated cleanup efforts.

Shenzhou-21 Spacecraft to Bring Crew Home

Backup Vehicle Already Docked at Tiangong

The solution came from the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft, which brought the new crew to the station on 1 November. The vessel remains docked at Tiangong as part of standard mission design, providing a safe and fully operational return vehicle.

State media reports that Shenzhou-21 has already been inspected and confirmed ready to support the journey back to Earth. The astronauts are scheduled to depart on Friday, marking the end of an extended mission that lasted beyond the typical rotation period.

Crew Condition Rated “Good”

In a statement released Tuesday, the China Manned Space Engineering Office said the astronauts remained “in good condition, working and living normally” throughout the unexpected extension. Mission procedures prioritize regular health checks, exercise routines, and psychological support, ensuring that astronauts maintain physical fitness during prolonged stays in microgravity.

Their ability to continue research activities despite the return delay reflects the stability of Tiangong’s onboard systems and the maturity of China’s human-spaceflight operations.

Scientific Research Continues Aboard Tiangong

Biological Experiments Mark New Milestone

The Shenzhou-21 mission also carried several research payloads, including laboratory mice, marking the first time China has brought live mammals beyond Earth for extended biological experiments. Similar studies conducted on the ISS by NASA and ESA help scientists understand how microgravity affects organs, muscles, reproduction, and aging.

These experiments are part of China’s broader ambitions to expand its scientific portfolio in space, particularly as it prepares for more complex missions to the moon and eventually Mars. Long-term biological research is considered essential for developing life-support systems and understanding the physiological challenges of deep-space travel.

China’s Growing Role in Global Space Activity

Over the past two decades, China has invested heavily in its space program, developing the Long March rocket series, establishing lunar exploration missions, and landing the first rover on the far side of the moon in 2019. Tiangong’s continuous operation places China among the few nations capable of long-duration crewed missions, alongside the United States and Russia.

While China is not a partner in the International Space Station due to restrictions imposed by the U.S. Congress, it has sought international collaboration on scientific experiments and may open Tiangong to foreign astronauts in the future.

Next Steps and Broader Implications

The astronauts’ return aboard Shenzhou-21 will likely follow the standard descent profile, involving onboard thruster adjustments, atmospheric reentry, and touchdown in China’s Inner Mongolia region, the typical landing site for Shenzhou capsules. Medical teams and recovery crews will be deployed to assist the astronauts immediately upon landing.

The debris strike incident may prompt additional analysis and monitoring procedures for future missions. Global experts, including the European Space Agency’s Space Debris Office, have repeatedly called for improved mapping, collision avoidance systems, and international policies to mitigate orbital hazards.

As space activity accelerates — with new constellations, private sector launches, and national exploration programs — protecting astronauts and spacecraft from debris will remain a shared challenge. China’s rapid response and logistics in this incident illustrate its evolving capacity to manage complex in-orbit contingencies while keeping long-term scientific and exploration goals on track.

Source: AP News – China’s stranded astronauts to return from space station on spacecraft that brought new crew

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Published: September 23, 2025, 14:00 EDT

NASA has announced its newest group of astronauts, selecting 10 scientists, engineers, and pilots from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants. This elite team, the 24th class since the original Mercury Seven in 1959, represents a historic milestone with more women than men for the first time. These astronauts will support upcoming missions to the Moon under the Artemis program and potentially to Mars in the future.

A Historic Astronaut Selection

The newly chosen class includes six women and four men, reflecting growing gender diversity in the U.S. astronaut corps. Among them are a geologist with experience on NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover and an engineer who previously flew aboard a SpaceX mission, which included the world’s first private spacewalk last year.

NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy highlighted the significance of this selection during a Monday ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. “You are America’s best and brightest, and we’re going to need America’s best and brightest because we have a bold exploration plan for the future,” Duffy said. He emphasized that the United States aims to lead the second lunar race and eventually land astronauts on Mars.

Training and Preparation

The new astronauts will undergo two years of rigorous training before becoming eligible for spaceflight. This preparation includes technical simulations, spacewalk practice, robotics operation, and survival training.

Norm Knight, NASA’s flight operations director, described the competition as “stiff” and praised the class for its outstanding qualifications. “These astronauts are distinguished and exceptional,” Knight said, noting the group’s diverse expertise, which includes military pilots, engineers, and a medical doctor.

Personal Stories of Selection

Several members of the class shared their reactions to the life-changing news. Air Force Maj. Adam Fuhrmann received his acceptance call during rush hour traffic and immediately pulled over to ensure he heard correctly. Another Air Force pilot, Maj. Cameron Jones, learned of his selection just after moving across the country.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash was at home when she received her call. “No way. I mean, I mean, yes, of course. But like no way,” she said. She noted that her experience living on a ship with thousands of crew members will help her adapt to the challenges of spaceflight.

Experienced Astronauts Among the New Class

Anna Menon, who flew with billionaire Jared Isaacman on a SpaceX mission last September, becomes the first NASA astronaut candidate in history to have already reached orbit. Her husband, a former SpaceX flight surgeon, was also selected in NASA’s previous class.

Lauren Edgar, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, contributed to the Curiosity rover mission on Mars and has joined the Artemis program’s lunar science team. “I am so excited to be officially part of the NASA family,” Edgar said, highlighting the team’s enthusiasm for future exploration.

NASA’s Ongoing Mission and Future Goals

NASA has selected only 370 individuals as astronauts over more than six decades, making the corps a highly exclusive group. The new additions will join 41 active U.S. astronauts currently serving.

The class comes at a pivotal moment for the U.S. space program, as NASA prepares for Artemis missions aimed at returning humans to the Moon by 2027 at the earliest. These astronauts will play key roles in testing new technologies, conducting scientific experiments, and preparing for eventual human missions to Mars.

Promoting Diversity and Expertise

The selection of more women than men for the first time underscores NASA’s efforts to foster diversity in its astronaut program. With backgrounds ranging from spaceflight engineering to geoscience and military aviation, the new class embodies a wide array of skills necessary for long-duration missions in deep space.

This historic astronaut class represents both the culmination of years of rigorous selection and the promise of America’s next generation of space explorers.

Source: AP News – NASA introduces its newest astronauts: 10 chosen from more than 8,000 applicants

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