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Astronauts

The term “astronaut” derives from the Greek words meaning “star sailor,” and refers to all who have been launched as crew members aboard NASA spacecraft bound for orbit and beyond. The term “astronaut” has been maintained as the title for those selected to join the NASA corps of astronauts who make “star sailing” their career profession.

Quick Facts

Since inception, NASA has selected 370 astronaut candidates: 299 men, 61 women; 212 military, 138 civilians; 191 pilots, 159 non-pilots.

When Expedition 1 arrived at the International Space Station on Nov. 2, 2000, there has been a continuous human presence at the space station since. Today there are usually seven astronauts living on board at any given time, from a variety of countries.

The first class of NASA astronauts was selected in 1959. They are known as the Mercury 7.

At the Space Station

Sergei Mikaev

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 73/74 Flight Engineer

Latest Astronauts News

2 Min Read

Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom

Image Article
3 Min Read

Artemis II Flight Day 2: Orion Completes TLI Burn, Crew Begins Journey…

Blog
1 Min Read

Artemis II Flight Day 2: Crew, Houston Poll ‘Go’ for Translunar Injection…

Blog

Active Astronauts

Eligible for flight assignment.

👁 View of Nicole Mann is posing for photo with Josh Cassada (left) and Frank Rubio (right) both wearing their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) during Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation Activities in the Quest Airlock (A/L) during Expedition 68.
View of Nicole Mann is posing for photo with Josh Cassada (left) and Frank Rubio (right) both wearing their Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) during Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Preparation Activities in the Quest Airlock (A/L) during Expedition 68.
NASA/Nicole Mann

Astronaut Appearance Request

The Astronaut Appearances Office in Houston, Texas coordinates and arranges astronaut appearances for astronauts who are actively employed by NASA.

NASA astronauts appear before a variety of groups to inform the public about the U.S. space program. Typically, presentations are made to high schools and universities, community organizations, businesses and associations, or military organizations.

Request Astronaut Appearance about Astronaut Appearance Request
👁 NASA astronaut Kayla Barron high-fives a student dressed in a spacesuit costume during a visit to Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in Washington D.C.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 astronauts, from left to right, Raja Chari, Kayla Barron, Mark Vande Hei, and Tom Marshburn answer questions from students during their visit to Amidon-Bowen Elementary School, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, in Washington.
NASA/Keegan Barber

Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit.

History

Astronaut Selection

More than 12,000 people applied to be an astronaut between March 2 and March 31, 2020. 

The astronaut selection committee is now in the process of reviewing those applications. NASA expects to announce its selections in mid-2021.

Learn More About Astronaut Selection about Astronaut Selection
👁 Houston We Have a Podcast: Astronaut Episodes
(Jan. 10, 2020) — The 2017 Class of Astronauts participate in graduation ceremonies at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. From left are, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, CSA astronaut Jennifer Sidey-Gibbon, NASA astronauts Kayla Barron, Jasmin Moghbeli, Loral O’Hara, Zena Cardman, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Bob Hines and Warren Hoburg. This is the first class of astronauts to graduate under the Artemis program and are now eligible for assignments to the International Space Station, Artemis missions to the Moon, and ultimately, missions to Mars.

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