Seventeen men and women have been selected for the astronaut candidate class of 2000, scheduled to arrive at NASA's Johnson Space Center in August 2000, to begin a period of training and evaluation. This year's class consists of seven pilot and 10 mission specialist candidates. Of the 17 class members, 14 are male and three are female. The astronaut candidates were selected through a highly competitive process that evaluated their education, training, experience, and unique qualifications. Following the initial period of training and evaluation, the astronaut candidates will receive technical assignments and continue training in preparation for space flight assignment.

NASA Release 00-116

The Artwork

The patch of the Group XVIII Astronaut Class highlights the exploration of space from Earth orbit and beyond. The Earth, situated on a field of black, provides a sharp contrast to the dark vastness of space, and the field of 17 stars represents each member of the class. The United States flag, shown unfurling from the border of the patch, orbits the Earth and gradually transforms into the gold astronaut symbol as it reaches beyond Earth orbit. The moon is embedded within the astronaut symbol to symbolize its importance as a stepping stone to further exploration of our Solar System, and the gold star at the top of the astronaut symbol is shaded with red to represent the exploration of Mars. The Roman numerals identify the patch as astronaut Group 18, and the number 2000 designated the year of class selection.

In three of the stars, insect-like shapes can be recognized: Group XVIII is also known as 'the Bugs'. It is for the first time that reference to an Ascan-nickname is made in the official patch.

The People

The 17 astronaut candidates of group 18 are:
Dominic A. Antonelli (Lt., USN), Michael R. Barratt, M.D., Robert L. Behnken (Capt., USAF), Eric A. Boe (Maj., USAF), Stephen G. Bowen (Lt. Cmdr., USN), B. Alvin Drew (Maj., USAF), Andrew J. Feustel, Ph.D., Kevin A. Ford (Lt. Col., USAF), Ronald J. Garan, Jr. (Maj., USAF), Michael T. Good (Maj., USAF), Douglas G. Hurley (Maj., USMC), Timothy L. Kopra (Maj., USA), K. Megan McArthur, Karen L. Nyberg, Ph.D., Nicole P. Stott, Terry W. Virts, Jr. (Capt., USAF), Barry E. Wilmore (Lt. Cmdr., USN)

Some Fun

The 2000 Class does not yet have a funny patch, but their nickname is "The Bugs". Information from ASCAN Nicole Stott.