This browser does not support the Video element.
SAMMAMISH, Wash. - Lauren Edgar, who considers Washington home, has been selected by NASA to join its 2025 astronaut candidate class.
Dr. Lauren Edgar, 39, of Sammamish, reported for duty at Johnson Space Center in Houston this month.
She is an experienced geologist with more than 17 years supporting Mars missions. At the time of her selection, she served as a deputy principal investigator for the Artemis III Geology Team, helping define the lunar science goals and geology activities astronauts will conduct during NASA’s return to the Moon.
This browser does not support the Video element.
New findings hint to potential life on Mars
NASA's Mars rover has found what appears to be its strongest evidence yet for ancient life on the planet.
A graduate of Skyline High School, Edgar earned a bachelor’s degree in Earth sciences from Dartmouth College in 2007, followed by a master’s degree in 2009 and a doctorate in geology in 2013 from the California Institute of Technology.
She has worked for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center in Flagstaff, Arizona, and has conducted field research in locations including Iceland, New Mexico and Antarctica to prepare for future human missions to the Moon and Mars. Her NASA experience also includes internships as an undergraduate, and years of operations support for the Mars Science Laboratory and Mars Exploration Rovers.
Edgar was born in Washington, D.C., but she considers Sammamish her hometown.
The Source: Information in this story comes from NASA.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX SEATTLE
How WA authorities found Travis Decker's possible remains
Bomb squad called to disarm explosive coconut at WA park
4 soldiers killed in WA helicopter crash near JBLM identified
Annual report ranks Seattle-Tacoma among worst airports in US: See the list
Ed Sheeran coming to Seattle's Lumen Field in 2026
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.