Current Women in Active Astronaut Training
As of 2024, space agencies and commercial operators worldwide maintain active classes of astronauts and cosmonauts who are in training for upcoming missions. These cohorts include both veterans assigned to long-duration International Space Station (ISS) expeditions and newer candidates selected for lunar and commercial low-Earth orbit initiatives. The following list reflects individuals publicly confirmed to be in training for assigned future missions through the 2024–2026 window. Dates and vehicles remain subject to change based on medical clearances, hardware readiness, and international partner agreements.
| Name | Agency / Contractor | Selected / Astronaut Group | Assigned Mission(s) (2024–2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne McClain | NASA | 2013 NASA Group | ISS Expedition 71 / 72 (2025) | In Training |
| Nicole Ayers | NASA | 2021 NASA Group | ISS Mission (2025–2026) | In Training |
| Sydney Do | NASA | 2021 NASA Group | ISS Mission (2026) | In Training |
| Jackie Kagey | NASA | 2021 NASA Group | ISS Mission (2026) | In Training |
| Stephanie Wilson | NASA | 2000 NASA Group | Artemis II (lunar flyby, 2025) | In Training |
| Yvonne Cagle | NASA | 1996 NASA Group | Artemis missions support role | In Training |
| Kimiya Yui | JAXA | JAXA 2009 Group | ISS Long-duration Mission (2025) | In Training |
| Takuya Onishi | JAXA (male) | JAXA 2009 Group | ISS Long-duration Mission (2025) | In Training |
| Naoko Yamazaki (backup) | JAXA | JAXA 2009 Group | Potential ISS/Commercial Mission (2025–2026) | In Training (Backup) |
| Jennifer Sidey-Gibbons | CSA | Canadian Astronaut Group 2017 | ISS Mission (2025–2026) | In Training |
| Rebecca Donaldson (backup) | CSA | Canadian Astronaut Group 2017 | Potential ISS Mission (2025–2026) | In Training (Backup) |
| Marina Vasilevskaya | Roscosmos / Belarus |
Key Notes on the Table
- Assignments are based on official NASA, JAXA, CSA, and Roscosmos mission announcements as of mid-2024.
- ‘In Training’ indicates the individual has completed initial astronaut candidate training and is progressing toward a specific mission assignment.
- ‘Potential’ or backup status reflects personnel assigned as backups who may fly if primary crew members are reassigned.
Commercial Crew and Private Missions
In addition to government astronaut corps, commercial programs operated by SpaceX, Boeing, Axiom Space, and other providers include women in assigned and candidate roles. These span short-duration flights to the ISS and future lunar mission support. The table below summarizes notable women in commercial programs with confirmed flight assignments or long-lead roles through the 2024–2026 horizon.
| Name | Program / Vehicle | Role | Mission Target | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yusaku Maezawa (not female) | dearMoon / Starship (planned) | Private lunar mission participant | Post-2026 | Included for context; not applicable |
| Sara Sabry | Private suborbital program (Blueprint Astronauts) | Participant | 2024–2025 suborbital flights | First Arab woman to reach space on a private mission |
| Keisha Schahaff & Anastatia Mayers | Space Perspective (Stratollite)Reserved crew members | Planned multi-hour stratospheric flights | Not orbital; included for completeness on women in commercial crew |
Note: Commercial orbital assignments remain limited and are updated frequently as vehicles receive certification. Always verify with operator press kits for the latest seat assignments.
International Agency Selection Cycles
Major space agencies periodically open selection programs that define the pipeline for the next decade of flights. The most recent public calls include:
NASA Astronaut Group 2021
Selected in December 2021, this 10-person class includes multiple women who are now assigned to ISS and Artemis training. Members are eligible for flights on SpaceX Crew Dragon, Boeing Starliner, and NASA’s Orion/SLS missions.
ESA Astronaut Corps Expansion
ESA’s 2022 selection added new career astronauts and reserve candidates, several of whom are women. These astronauts are being groomed for ISS missions and lunar gateway operations.
JAXA Astronaut Candidates
JAXA’s 2009 and subsequent selections include women now serving as long-duration ISS crew and potential lunar mission participants. Naoko Yamazaki serves as a backup flight engineer for future ISS rotations.
Defining Eligibility and Training Timelines
Becoming a spaceflight participant involves meeting stringent medical, engineering, and operational requirements. For professional astronauts, the typical path includes:
- Advanced degree in STEM or military test pilot experience.
- Completion of agency-specific basic training (approximately 1–2 years).
- Mission-specific training for the vehicle and experiments (6–12 months before launch).
- Health stabilization and quarantine protocols prior to flight.
For private missions, requirements vary by provider and may allow non-professional participants based on medical screening and seat-specific criteria.
Mission Planning and Schedule Volatility
Spaceflight schedules are inherently volatile. Delays due to technical reviews, weather, or crew health can shift launch dates by months or years. The table above reflects publicly announced targets as of mid-2024, but missions listed for 2025–2026 may move outside that window. Readers are encouraged to check official agency mission pages for real-time status updates.
How to Track Future Updates
To stay current on women assigned to spaceflight, consult primary sources directly: NASA’s Astronaut Office pages, Roscosmos crew assignments, JAXA astronaut mission pages, and commercial provider press kits. These sources provide the most reliable, up-to-date information as missions are confirmed or rescheduled.