Ten explorers selected in 2025 are training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to become flight-eligible astronauts. According to NASA, the astronaut candidates are building technical and operational skills for future missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and eventually Mars. The class name, Platypi, was selected by the previous astronaut candidate class, known as the Flies.
NASA astronauts Anil Menon and Chris Birch helped facilitate the discussions for naming the class. Anil Menon said, 'Our main driver was that this class stood out as extremely capable, with a lot of different skills, while also being very friendly and supportive of each other. ' The candidates have trained to operate and understand the Canadarm2 robotic arm used aboard the International Space Station.
They are learning how to capture visiting spacecraft, move equipment outside the station, and support spacewalk operations. The candidates also train in space station systems, orbital mechanics, and flight operations. They have completed survival training to prepare for the unlikely event of landing in remote environments after a mission, participating in land and water survival exercises designed to build teamwork and decision-making under pressure.
' The exact timeline for when they will become flight-eligible astronauts has not been disclosed. The specific psychological and expeditionary skills being trained have not been detailed. The identities of the other eight astronaut candidates besides Lauren Edgar and Yuri Kubo are also unknown.