Meet "The Flies" - New NASA Astronauts Eyeing Moon, And Mars

They include fighter pilots, scientists, engineers, scientists and a doctor, and are drawn from both the military and civilian worlds.

After two years of rigorous training, ten Americans officially became astronauts on Tuesday, and are now eligible for planned NASA missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and -- if all goes well -- to Mars.

Two Emiratis who trained alongside them also graduated Tuesday during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Members of the class, nicknamed "The Flies," were selected from more than 12,000 applicants in 2021 and their training included simulated spacewalking, robotics, space station systems, and more.