On June 7, 2017, NASA selected a new class of astronaut candidates for future missions at the International Space Station (ISS), launch from Earth on commercial spacecraft, and flying in deep space missions on new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rockets. On August 2017, all candidate will start two years of training. After training, they will be assigned duties in NASA’s Astronaut Office while waiting for their flight missions. NASA choose twelve qualified candidates out of more than 18,300 applicants and five are women.
These women are making history in science and space exploration. NASA’s first class of female astronaut candidates were selected in January 1978 and completed their training program in 1979. This class included the first American, female astronaut to fly in space, Sally Ride. Ride launched on June 18, 1983 on the space shuttle Challenger. She was a mission specialist on the STS-7 mission where she helped the crew set up communications satellites, conduct experiments, and utilized the first Shuttle Pallet Satellite. As of May 2015, a total of 49 women have flown with NASA and eight had yet to fly.
2017 Astronaut Candidate Profiles:
Kayla Barron was born in Pocatello, ID, but considers Richland, WA her hometown. Barron graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD with a Bachelor’s in Systems Engineering and became a commission officer. She immediately went on to earn her Master’s in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England, and graduated as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. Her graduate research focused on modeling the fuel cycle for a next-generation thorium fueled nuclear reactor concept. After graduate school, she trained to become a submarine warfare officer for the US Navy before being assigned to the USS Maine. In addition to her education and experience, Barron has been recognized for her service receiving both medals and commendations.
Zena Cardman was originally born in Urbana, IL but considers Williamsburg, VA her home. She graduated from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a Bachelors in Biology, minors in Creative Writing and Marine Science, and a Master’s in Marine Sciences. Before applying to become an astronaut, Cardman was a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow at Penn State. In addition to education and experience, Cardman has won several awards and has previous NASA experience when she worked with them on their analog missions including the Pavilion Lake Research Project and BASALT.
Jessica Watkins was born in Gaithersburg, MD, but considers Lafayette, CO her hometown. She earned her Bachelor’s in Geological and Environmental Sciences from Stanford University and earn a Doctorate in Geology from the University of California. For her doctorate research, she studied the emplacement mechanisms of large landslides on Mars through orbital data and field work. After she graduated from her doctorate program, she worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Division of Geological and Planetary Science at the California Institute of Technology where she collaborated on Curiosity, the Mars rover. She participated in daily planning of activities and studied Mars geology. In addition to her experience, Watkins has received many awards in academics and sports awards.
Loral O’Hara was born in Houston, TX and grew up in Sugar Land, TX. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering and earned a Master’s of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University. Before applying to become an astronaut candidate, O’Hara was a Research Engineer at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Woods Hole, MA. In addition, O’Hara has past experience with NASA as a student. She participated in their KC-135 Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program, the NASA Academy at Goddard Space Flight Center and as an intern in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In her spare time, she is also a private pilot and certified EMT and wilderness first responder.
Jasmin Moghbeli was born in Bad Nauheim, Germany and raised in Baldwin, New York. Moghbeli graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering with Information Technology. She went on to receive a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Moghbeli is a decorated Major in the U.S. Marine Corps and a U.S. Navy Test Pilot. Before applying to become an astronaut, she tested H-1 helicopters and served as a quality assurance and avionics officer for Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 in Yuma, Arizona.
NASA’s Current Astronaut List:
On the International Space Station: Dr. Peggy A. Whitson as of November 17, 2016 on Expedition 50/51
Active Astronauts (eligible for flight): Dr. Serena M. Auñón-Chancellor, Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Christina M. Hammock Koch, Anne C. McClain, Jessica U. Meir, Karen L. Nyberg, Kathleen Rubins, Shannon Walker, Stephanie D. Wilson, and Sunita (‘Suni’) L. Williams
Management Astronauts: Yvonne D. Cagle (NASA – Ames Research Center, CA); Janet L. Kavandi (NASA – Glen Research Center, Ohio); Kathryn P. Hire (NASA – Goddard Space Flight Center, MD); Dr. Ellen Ochoa (Director of NASA – Johnson Space Center, TX); Dr. Nancy J. Currie-Gregg (NASA – Langley Research Center, VA)
Women In Trending 