Peep the Graduates!

NASA welcomed 11 new astronauts to its ranks Jan. 10. The new astronauts successfully completed more than two years of required basic training and are the first to graduate since the agency announced its Artemis program.

“These individuals represent the best of America, and what an incredible time for them to join our astronaut corps,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the graduation ceremony took place. “2020 will mark the return of launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil, and will be an important year of progress for our Artemis program and missions to the Moon and beyond.”

During Friday’s ceremony, each new astronaut received a silver pin, a tradition dating back to the Mercury 7 astronauts, who were selected in 1959. They will receive a gold pin once they complete their first spaceflights.

This was the first public graduation ceremony for astronauts the agency has ever hosted, and Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas were among the speakers at the event.

A huge congratulations to NASA graduates Kayla Barron, Zena Cardman, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Bob Hines, Warren Hoburg, Johnny Kim, Jasmin Moghbeli, Loral O'Hara, Frank Rubio and Jessica Watkins, as well as CSA graduates Joshua Kutryk and Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons. Find their official astronaut biographies here.

Watch the broadcast of Friday’s historic graduation ceremony, below.

See more images from the event, too!