NASA Geologist Lauren Edgar Named Astronaut Candidate, Eyes Mars Mission

space reported on September 27, 2025, that NASA geologist Lauren Edgar has been named an astronaut candidate after nearly two decades helping to operate rovers on Mars. Before her selection, Edgar's work involved designing science experiments for astronauts to perform. She has over 17 years of experience supporting the Mars Curiosity and Mars Exploration Rover missions.

As a member of NASA's 2025 astronaut candidate class, Edgar will now train to become the one performing experiments in space. She was previously the deputy principal investigator for the Artemis 3 geology team, which helps define science objectives for future missions to the moon. Edgar stated that after years of studying the Red Planet through robotics, stepping foot on Mars "would be a dream." The new astronaut candidates will undergo two years of intensive training before becoming eligible for flight assignments.