NASA will unveil its new class of astronaut candidates on September 22, 2025, during a live-streamed event from the Johnson Space Center in Houston. The announcement is set to begin at 12:30 p.m. EDT (16:30 GMT; 11:30 a.m. local time). Viewers can watch the event through various platforms, including NASA+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, NASA’s YouTube channel, and the agency’s X account.
From an impressive pool of 8,000 applicants, the selected candidates will embark on a rigorous training program lasting approximately two years. Upon successful completion, these individuals will be certified as full astronauts, ready to participate in future missions.
In addition to the astronaut unveiling, NASA plans to host media briefings on September 23 and September 24 to discuss the upcoming Artemis 2 mission. This mission aims to send four astronauts around the moon no earlier than April 2026. Details about the mission will also be available through live streams on NASA’s YouTube channel and X account.
Artemis 2 Crew and Briefing Schedule
The Artemis 2 mission will feature a notable crew, including NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), and Christina Koch (mission specialist), alongside Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency, also serving as a mission specialist. This mission marks a significant milestone, as Glover will become the first Black astronaut to participate in a moon mission, while Koch will be the first woman, and Hansen the first non-American astronaut to do so.
Scheduled briefings for the Artemis 2 mission include:
– September 23:
– 11 a.m. EDT (10 a.m. local time, 15:00 GMT): Mission overview briefing featuring key officials from NASA, including:
– Lakiesha Hawkins, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
– Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis Launch Director, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
– Judd Frieling, Lead Artemis 2 Ascent Flight Director, NASA Johnson
– Jeff Radigan, Lead Artemis 2 Flight Director, NASA Johnson
– Rick Henfling, Lead Artemis 2 Entry Flight Director, NASA Johnson
– Daniel Florez, Test Director, Exploration Ground Systems, NASA Kennedy
– 1 p.m. EDT (12 p.m. local time, 17:00 GMT): Artemis 2 science and technology briefing featuring:
– Matt Ramsey, Artemis 2 Mission Manager, NASA Headquarters
– Debbie Korth, Deputy Orion Program Manager, NASA Johnson
– Jacob Bleacher, Manager, Science, Technology Utilization, and Integration, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
– Mark Clampin, Acting Deputy Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters
– September 24:
– 10 a.m. EDT (12 p.m. local time, 14:00 GMT): Artemis 2 crew news conference with:
– Reid Wiseman, Commander
– Victor Glover, Pilot
– Christina Koch, Mission Specialist
– Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist
The announcement of the new astronaut class and the Artemis 2 mission briefings highlight NASA’s ongoing commitment to advancing space exploration and fostering a diverse team of astronauts. This initiative not only captures the imagination of space enthusiasts but also inspires future generations to pursue careers in science and technology.
