Historic First - Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Selected by NASA as 2025 Astronaut Candidate

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph “Ben” Bailey was officially announced as a member of NASA’s newest astronaut candidate class during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 22. Bailey, a decorated aviator and test pilot with more than 11 years of service, was one of only 10 people selected from a pool of over 8,000 highly qualified civilian and military applicants – a testament to his qualifications and the Army’s commitment to developing skilled and educated personnel. His background is rooted in the testing and operation of complex aviation systems aboard UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters, and a deep understanding of aerospace engineering principles. (NASA Photo)  

HOUSTON, TEXAS, UNITED STATES

09.22.2025

Story by Ronald Bailey 

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

HOUSTON, TX – U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joseph “Ben” Bailey was officially announced as a member of NASA’s newest astronaut candidate class during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center on Sept. 22. The selection marks a historic first for the Army’s Warrant Officer Corps, exemplifying the unique technical expertise these specialists bring to America’s space program.

Bailey, a decorated aviator and test pilot with more than 11 years of service, was one of only 10 people selected from a pool of over 8,000 highly qualified civilian and military applicants – a testament to his qualifications and the Army’s commitment to developing skilled and educated personnel. His background is rooted in the testing and operation of complex aviation systems aboard UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47F Chinook helicopters, and a deep understanding of aerospace engineering principles.

“This selection is a powerful demonstration of how the Army prepares Soldiers to serve our nation in any capacity,” said Col. Frank Rubio, U.S. Army/NASA Astronaut. “CW3 Bailey’s technical expertise, team skills, and dedication to mission success will be invaluable assets to NASA. His achievement serves as a testimony to the possibilities military service can provide through individual merit and support of the Army community.”

Bailey’s selection represents not only a personal achievement but also a recognition of the value the Army places on technical proficiency and the dedication of its Warrant Officer Corps. His journey from aviator to potential spaceflight embodies the spirit of innovation and the pursuit of excellence that defines both the Army and NASA.

“It is important to remember that I am a small member of a large team, both here at NASA and within the Army,” said Bailey. “I am only here thanks to the mentors who have guided me and the peers who have challenged me. Being selected is as much a reflection of them as it is of me, and I am excited to bring their knowledge, expertise, and leadership with me to help contribute to NASA's mission.”

While Bailey is the first Army Warrant Officer selected as a NASA astronaut candidate, he would not be the first Army Warrant Officer in space. That honor belongs to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Thomas Hennan, an Army imagery intelligence analyst who served as a payload specialist aboard space shuttle Atlantis during STS-44 in late 1991.

Bailey’s selection with his fellow classmates is only the first step in a long and rigorous program toward becoming a fully qualified astronaut. The candidates will undergo two years of intensive training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, covering a wide range of disciplines including spaceflight systems, robotics, survival training, geology, biology, emergency action drills, and many others. Candidates will learn to operate the International Space Station’s life support systems, perform spacewalks, conduct scientific experiments in a microgravity environment, and become proficient in Russian, a critical language for collaboration with the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

The Army Astronaut Detachment is assigned to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Upon completion of the candidate program, Bailey will join current Army astronauts Col. Anne McClain, detachment commander, and Col. Frank Rubio. McClain is a veteran of two spaceflights as a flight engineer aboard MS-11 supporting ISS Expeditions 58 and 59, and commanded the SpaceX Crew-10 mission for Expeditions 72 and 73. Rubio served as a flight engineer abord the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft supporting ISS Expeditions 68 and 69. Rubio also holds the U.S. record for the longest single spaceflight of 371 days.

Army Astronauts fulfill strategic roles such as leading integration and operations for NASA crew launch and landing campaigns, leading test teams for the Artemis test series, and serving as capsule communicators. They bring valuable knowledge and competencies from their Army experiences. In performing their duties at NASA they learn to leverage sister agency capabilities and problem-solving methodologies. They also conduct public affairs outreach and engagement, serving as diplomats for NASA’s human spaceflight program and the U.S. Army. This experience emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation to emerging technologies, a trait highly valued in the rapidly evolving space domain.

The Army anticipates continued collaboration with NASA’s human spaceflight program, leveraging the unique skills and experience of its personnel to support the nation’s space program, including the Artemis missions, aimed at returning humans to the moon and eventually venturing to Mars. Bailey’s success serves as an inspiration to future generations of Soldiers and demonstrates the limitless possibilities that await those who strive for excellence.

For media inquiries pertaining to NASA’s Astronaut Candidate program, contact the Johnson Space Center’s Public Affairs Office: https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/johnson-space-center-media-contacts/.

For information about the U.S. Army Astronaut Detachment, contact the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Public Affairs Office: [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 09.22.2025
• Date Posted: 09.22.2025 14:26
• Story ID: 548961
• Location: HOUSTON, TEXAS, US