NASA has officially introduced its newest class of astronaut candidates during a ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston on September 22, 2025. The event marks an exciting milestone for the future of space exploration as ten new “ascans” (astronaut candidates) join the prestigious Astronaut Corps. They will undergo nearly two years of basic training before becoming eligible for flight assignments.
The announcement was celebrated not just on Earth but also in orbit. Members of the Expedition 73 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) sent a special congratulatory message. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, joined by crewmates Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Mike Fincke, shared their support:
“To the newest astronaut class, from the crew of Expedition 73 onboard the ISS, congratulations and welcome to the Astronaut Corps!” Kim wrote.
Alongside the celebration, the ISS crew continued important research projects such as DNA sequencing for long-duration missions, virtual reality experiments for vestibular function in microgravity, and ultrasound studies into digestion and nutrient absorption in space.
NASA’s announcement comes as the ISS approaches 25 years of continuous human presence in orbit. With multiple docked spacecraft—including SpaceX’s Dragon and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus—the station remains a hub of international cooperation and innovation.
This milestone has drawn attention worldwide. Space enthusiasts are calling the new astronaut class a symbol of the future of space travel, potentially paving the way for missions to the Moon and Mars.
For more details, check NASA’s official announcement here: NASA.gov and coverage on Space.com.
