"Exciting Graduation Day for NASA's Newest Astronauts

NASA Prepares to Celebrate Graduation of Artemis Astronaut Candidates in 2024

NASA is gearing up to commemorate the graduation of its latest cohort of Artemis astronaut candidates in 2024. The ceremony is set to take place at the Johnson Space Center in Houston on Tuesday, March 5, at 10:30 a.m. EST (15:30 GMT). This event will celebrate the dedication and perseverance of the space agency’s trailblazing recruits.

After undergoing intense training for over two years, these future space travelers will officially become eligible for spaceflights, earning their wings. The 2021 class includes ten NASA candidates and two visionary candidates from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The significance of this graduation goes beyond Earth, as these newly minted astronauts are poised to contribute to various interstellar missions. From potential assignments to the International Space Station to upcoming commercial destinations, lunar missions, and eventually voyages to Mars, these graduates represent the next wave of space exploration pioneers.

The graduation ceremony will be open to the public and will be live-streamed on NASA+, YouTube, and the official NASA website. A special Q&A session will follow the ceremony at 11:45 a.m. EST for those interested in engaging with the event on social media. Students, media, and the public are encouraged to participate by using the hashtag #AskNASA to ask questions.

Additionally, the new graduates will be available for both in-person and remote media interviews, providing insights into their journey and aspirations for the future of space exploration.