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Today in History: NASA selects nine astronauts for lunar landing

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On September 17 1962 NASA unveiled its second astronaut class—nine pilots and engineers known as the “Next Nine.” Selected to expand the Mercury Seven, they supplied crews for Gemini’s two-man missions and Apollo’s three-man lunar flights, directly supporting President Kennedy’s goal of a 1969 Moon landing.

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Story summary

On September 17 1962 NASA unveiled its second astronaut class—nine pilots and engineers known as the “Next Nine.” Selected to expand the Mercury Seven, they supplied crews for Gemini’s two-man missions and Apollo’s three-man lunar flights, directly supporting President Kennedy’s goal of a 1969 Moon landing.