For the first time since 2017, NASA announced 10 new recruits (as of this writing it has released four more) who will be part of the 2018 class of astronauts, NASA announced Thursday.
The three men and seven women in the class are selected from more than 1,100 applicants.
NASA selects members of its astronaut corps, which includes 70 seats, based on several factors, including academic achievement, astronaut experience, as well as tests and performance.
The astronaut corps has already been through one cut in recent months: A 2017 group of 39 was cut before becoming official after they had to undergo a rigorous vetting process, during which they were tested on the basic science and engineering skills and required to pass physical evaluations.
Once sworn in to the corps, the newest recruits will begin the process of securing a permanent flight assignment, which is required before astronauts are ever assigned to a mission.
Here’s the full list:
Doctor Adam Humphries
Flight Engineer John Mulholland
Artist Kjell Lindgren
Game Designer Kate Rubins
Physics Graduate Carol Murray
Astronaut Jim Hopkins
Astronaut Megan McArthur
Astronaut Christopher Thomas
Data Capturing Systems Engineer Noel Jackson
Photographer Sarah Shourd
Engineer Kjell Lindgren
Astronaut Jasmine Cruz