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 360 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

Don Pettit

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer

Alexey Ovchinin

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer

Ivan Vagner

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer

Suni Williams

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander

Butch Wilmore

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer

Nick Hague

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer

Aleksandr Gorbunov

Roscosmos cosmonaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer

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Active Astronauts

Eligible for flight assignment.

Training for Artemis ii

View Our Artemis II Crew

Reid Wiseman

Commander

Victor Glover

Pilot

Christina Koch

Mission Specialist

Jeremy Hansen

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

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

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.

Resources

Astronaut Clay Anderson, Expedition 15 flight engineer, waves to the camera while participating in a session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as construction continues on the International Space Station. During the 7-hour 41-minute spacewalk, Anderson and cosmonaut Fyodor N. Yurchikhin (out of frame), commander representing Russia's Federal Space Agency, installed a television camera stanchion, reconfigured a power supply for an antenna assembly, and performed several get-ahead tasks. Also, while riding on the end of the Canadarm2, Anderson jettisoned the Early Ammonia Servicer (EAS) by shoving it opposite of the station's direction of travel. The station's robotic arm end effector is at left.

NASA Astronaut Fact Book

November, 2024

NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Flight Engineer Nick Hague pedals on the Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization (CEVIS), an exercise cycle located aboard the International Space Station's Destiny laboratory module. CEVIS provides aerobic and cardiovascular conditioning through recumbent (leaning back position) or upright cycling activities.

Astronaut Health and Training

Learn more about astronaut health and training.

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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Astronauts

Quick Facts

At the Space Station

Don Pettit

Alexey Ovchinin

Ivan Vagner

Suni Williams

Butch Wilmore

Nick Hague

Aleksandr Gorbunov

Latest Astronauts News

Active Astronauts

Management Astronauts

Former Astronauts

Astronaut Candidates

Partner Astronauts

Training for Artemis ii

Reid Wiseman