NASA’s new astronaut class includes SpaceX veterans Anna Menon and Yuri Kubo

NASA's 2025 astronaut class includes former SpaceX employees Anna Menon and Yuri Kubo, who were selected from over 8,000 applicants. Menon previously worked in NASA's Mission Control and flew on the record-breaking Polaris Dawn mission, while Kubo served as a Falcon 9 launch director. After two years of intensive training, they may serve on the ISS and future moon and Mars missions, highlighting SpaceX's growing role in developing astronaut talent beyond traditional military and academic pathways.