LITTLE ELM, Texas – A North Texas woman is achieving a dream that has been years in the making. At 38 years old, Rebecca Lawler has been named a NASA astronaut candidate, a position that only a handful of people around the world are ever selected for. The announcement places her among an elite group of scientists, engineers, and pilots who will begin the long journey of preparing for space missions.
Lawler’s selection comes after three attempts at entering the program, showing both persistence and determination. NASA’s astronaut selection process is famously demanding, with more than 8,000 people applying in this round alone. Only a small fraction make it through to candidacy, and for Lawler, the third try finally brought success. For years, she has prepared herself for the challenge, gaining experience and sharpening her skills in aviation.
Before this new chapter, Lawler built a career as a Navy pilot and later worked as a test pilot for United Airlines. Her resume includes nearly 3,000 hours of flight time across more than 45 different aircraft. That wide range of experience and her reputation for precision and discipline are key reasons why she stood out to NASA. When the life-changing call came confirming her acceptance, she had to keep it secret from friends and family until the announcement became public. She describes that period as surreal, knowing her dream had come true but being unable to share it.
Speaking about her selection, Lawler expressed both pride and humility. She said she feels a “huge, awesome amount of responsibility” not just to NASA and her colleagues, but to the country. For her, being an astronaut is not just about personal achievement, but about serving the mission and representing everyone who depends on the program’s success. She said she cannot wait to train, fly, and make the nation proud.
Lawler is not the only one in the astronaut class with Texas roots. Another candidate, 39-year-old Anna Menon from Houston, also has strong ties to the state. Menon attended TCU and has previously worked at NASA’s mission control center. She also gained real spaceflight experience when she flew on the Polaris Dawn Mission last year. Her return to astronaut candidacy highlights the state’s ongoing contribution to space exploration talent.
The road ahead will not be easy. For the next two years, Lawler and her fellow candidates will go through intensive astronaut training. This includes high-risk decision-making exercises, learning to handle spacecraft systems, team bonding, survival training, and spending countless hours in flight simulators. They will also spend time adjusting to the complexities of space suits and practicing for the demanding conditions of space missions. Only after successfully completing this rigorous process will they become eligible for flight assignments.
This milestone is the culmination of a decade-long journey for Lawler, who has pursued this goal with unwavering determination. Her story reflects the dedication required to join NASA’s astronaut corps. While the odds were stacked against her, she persevered and now represents the hopes of many who dream of reaching space. The next two years of preparation will test her skills, endurance, and adaptability, but she enters training with a strong foundation built from her years in the Navy and aviation.
For North Texas, her achievement is a point of pride. It shows how talent from local communities can reach global stages, even beyond Earth itself. Lawler’s presence in the astronaut class also serves as an inspiration for future generations of pilots, scientists, and engineers who dream of one day joining the space program. As she prepares for training, she carries with her the excitement of fulfilling a lifelong dream and the responsibility of representing not only her community but also the nation in humanity’s ongoing quest to explore beyond our planet.
With the formal announcement made, the countdown begins for Lawler and her fellow astronaut candidates. Two years from now, after extensive training, she may be ready to take her first step toward space. For now, her story is one of determination, perseverance, and the fulfillment of a dream that proves no matter how many attempts it takes, persistence pays off when combined with skill, courage, and an unwavering vision.
