NASA selects 15th group of astronauts featuring diverse candidates

On December 8, 1994, NASA selected its 15th group of astronauts, consisting of 19 candidates, including 10 pilots and 9 mission specialists. This diverse group featured five women, two African Americans, one Asian American, and the first astronauts from Peru and India. The group also included four international astronauts from Canada, Japan, and France. They began training at NASA's Johnson Space Center in March 1995, covering various scientific and technical subjects, and experienced weightlessness aboard a special aircraft. The 23 astronauts completed 64 spaceflights, spending a total of 888 days in space. They contributed to significant missions, including the assembly and maintenance of the International Space Station and various scientific research projects.