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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.

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.

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.

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

At the Space Station

NASA astronaut and Soyuz MS-28 Mission Specialist Chris Williams poses for a portrait in his Sokol launch and entry suit at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

Chris Williams

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73/74 Flight Engineer

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz MS-28 Commander Sergey Kud-Sverchkov poses for a portrait in his Sokol launch and entry suit at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

Sergey Kud-Sverchkov

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 73/74 Flight Engineer

Sergei Mikaev

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 73/74 Flight Engineer

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, poses for a portrait in her pressure suit at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Jessica Meir

NASA astronaut and Expedition 74/75 Flight Engineer

NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, poses for a portrait in his pressure suit at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Jack Hathaway

NASA astronaut and Expedition 74/75 Flight Engineer

ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, mission specialist of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, poses for a portrait in her pressure suit at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Sophie Adenot

ESA astronaut and Expedition 74/75 Flight Engineer

Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, mission specialist of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, poses for a portrait in his pressure suit at SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Andrey Fedyaev

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 74/75 Flight Engineer

Latest Astronauts News

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Active Astronauts

Eligible for flight assignment.

Read More About Active Astronauts
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

Artemis iIi CREW

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Randy Bresnik

Commander

Luca Parmitano

Pilot

Frank Rubio

Mission Specialist

Andre Douglas

Mission Specialist

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 8,000 people applied to be an astronaut when NASA last accepted applications in 2024. 

From that pool, NASA assessed the agency’s needs and mission requirements and selected 10 people to become astronaut candidates.

Learn More About Astronaut Selection about Astronaut Selection
Ten members of NASA’s astronaut class in blue flight suits look and smile at the camera while gathered around a large NASA Worm logo.
NASA announced its 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class on Sept. 22, 2025. The 10 candidates, pictured here at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston are: U.S. Army CW3 Ben Bailey, U.S. Air Force Maj. Cameron Jones, Katherine Spies, Anna Menon, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Erin Overcash, U.S. Air Force Maj. Adam Fuhrmann, Dr. Lauren Edgar, Yuri Kubo, Rebecca Lawler, and Dr. Imelda Muller.

Astronaut Outreach and media resources

Aerial photograph of Johnson Space Center facilities taken from a U.S. Coast Guard H-65 helicopter.

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Anna Schneider

Public Affairs Specialist

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Shaneequa Vereen

Public Affairs Specialist

Mary Pfister

Public Affairs Specialist

Keep Exploring

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Humans In Space

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International Space Station News

Stay up-to-date with the latest International Space Station news releases from NASA as we continue research on the orbiting laboratory.

Johnson Space Center