Katherine Spies (MDE ’19) was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class. She reported for duty in September 2025.

Spies thanked her Harvard MDE cohort in an Instagram post announcing her selection as one of NASA’s newest astronaut candidates.
“Being here, in this role, is the dream of a lifetime. But no one gets here alone. Each of us was carried forward by teams: military units, research groups, swim lanes, family dinners, late-night friendships…people who gave us skills, grit, and love,” said Spies. “My cohort at Harvard MDE, colleagues at Amazon Prime Air, and teammates at Gulfstream Flight Test sharpened my leadership and collaboration, gifts I’ll carry with me always.”
Follow Katherine Spies on Instagram and LinkedIn .
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