NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston witnessed a historic moment on March 5, 2024, as the most recent cohort of astronaut candidates, fondly nicknamed “The Flies,” celebrated their graduation. These talented individuals are now officially eligible for spaceflight assignments that could take them to the International Space Station, future orbiting destinations, the Moon, and beyond.
Chosen for training in 2021, these astronaut graduates emerged from a competitive pool of over 12,000 applicants. Over the past two years, they successfully completed rigorous basic training, honing skills such as spacewalking, robotics, and mastering space station systems.
The accomplished NASA astronauts include Nichole Ayers from Colorado Springs, Colorado; Marcos Berríos from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico; Chris Birch from Gilbert, Arizona; Deniz Bunham from Wasilla, Alaska; Luke Delaney from Debary, Florida; Andre Douglas from Chesapeake, Virginia; Jack Hathaway from South Windsor, Connecticut; Anil Menon from Minneapolis; Chris Williams from Potomac, Maryland, and Jessica Wittner from Clovis, California. Additionally, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronauts Mohammad AlMulla and Nora AlMatrooshi trained alongside the NASA astronaut candidates, making this graduation ceremony a truly international celebration.
As these newly minted astronauts embark on their journey, they carry the dreams of exploration and discovery, contributing to the ongoing legacy of space exploration. Stay tuned for updates as they chart their course to the stars.
