NASA chooses 8 astronauts for new space mission

The US Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) said on June 17 that it has recruited eight new astronauts for future space missions, including a flight to an asteroid and even fly to Mars, according to AFP.

The eight astronauts, all in their 30s, were recruited from over 6,000 applicants for NASA last year. Half of the winners are women, the highest percentage of women winning a NASA astronaut recruitment.

Future American astronauts - (Photo: AFP)

NASA said the group of candidates will likely be the first astronauts to be present in the new US spacecraft developed by private companies, make a flight to space, since the fleet. This country's shuttle "retired" in 2011.

"They are very excited about the scientific research that we are doing on the International Space Station (ISS) and the plan to launch new spacecraft is being built by private US companies , " said the Director. NASA Charles Bolden said in a statement.

"And they are also willing to look forward to the mission of first manning an asteroid and then on Mars," Charles Bolden added.

Eight new American astronauts will receive salaries from $ 64,000 to $ 141,000 per year. They will begin training from August at NASA's Johnson Space Center located in Houston (Texas).

According to NASA, all four winning men came from the US military, including: former Navy pilot Josh Cassada, 39; pilot F / A 18 - naval captain Victor Glover, 37; Lieutenant Colonel Tyler Hague, 37 and doctor - Army Major Andrew Morgan, 37 years old.

Four successful women include: Christina Hammock, 34, an oceanographer and an atmospheric expert; pilot of the F / A 18 - major marines Nicole Aunapu Mann, 35; OH-58 helicopter pilots - army major Anne McClain, 34 and anesthesi professor at Harvard Medical School Jessica Meir, 35 years old.