Lauren Edgar’s Journey from NASA Scientist to Astronaut

Lauren Edgar, who has spent nearly two decades studying the Moon and Mars at NASA, is now transitioning from her role behind the console to an opportunity to fly into space herself. Edgar is one of ten individuals selected in NASA’s 2025 astronaut class, an announcement made at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Edgar’s Journey at NASA

Edgar’s journey at NASA began long ago, where she worked on guiding rover missions and designing lunar science for the Artemis program. She was part of the team setting scientific goals for upcoming manned missions to the lunar surface, including the Artemis 3 mission.

Over the past seventeen years, her focus has been on supporting Mars rover missions like Curiosity and the Mars Exploration Rover. She was also responsible for facilitating geology training for NASA engineers, mission teams, and astronauts.

New Challenges and Opportunities

Although her role in the mission has changed, Edgar does not see this as a shift in direction. Instead, she views it as an opportunity to serve the same goals she worked towards in the rover missions and the Artemis 3 science team, but in a different capacity.

The new challenge facing Edgar might be a mission to the Moon, as NASA targets landing sites near the lunar south pole for Artemis missions. Edgar considers this location to be scientifically vital and essential for pushing humanity further into space.

Edgar’s Vision for the Future

Edgar believes her dream of traveling to Mars might one day become a reality, expressing her willingness to seize the opportunity if it arises. During her work with the rover teams, she often had to imagine herself on the Martian surface, constantly thinking about how to connect that vision in her mind.

The 2025 astronaut class will spend the next two years undergoing intensive training at the Johnson Space Center and other NASA facilities, where they will learn to operate various spacecraft and conduct spacewalk simulations, among other skills.

Conclusion

Lauren Edgar exemplifies achieving goals through dedication and hard work. From her studies of the Moon and Mars to the potential of flying into space, her story demonstrates that nothing is impossible. Her passion for space and commitment to science have positioned her to significantly contribute to NASA’s future explorations. Her dream of landing on the Moon and possibly Mars reflects her dedication to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge.