U.S. Air Force Major Adam Fuhrmann, an MIT alumnus and distinguished test pilot, has been selected as one of the ten individuals for NASA’s 2025 astronaut candidate class. Fuhrmann, 35, hails from Leesburg, Virginia and holds a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT. Complementing this are master’s degrees in flight test engineering from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and systems engineering from Purdue University. With more than 2,100 flight hours across 27 aircraft models, including the F-16 and F-35, Fuhrmann boasts significant experience as both a fighter pilot and an experimental test pilot, having accumulated 400 combat hours in support of operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Resolute Support.
Commencing a rigorous two-year training program at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Fuhrmann and his fellow candidates will gain expertise in a variety of disciplines essential for space missions. This includes instruction in robotics, space medicine, foreign language proficiency, and the execution of simulated spacewalks, all designed to prepare them for the complex operations associated with the International Space Station and future lunar missions under the Artemis program.
Fuhrmann’s selection from a competitive pool of 8,000 applicants was announced during a live ceremony. He credits much of his leadership development to his early involvement with MIT’s Bernard M. Gordon-MIT Engineering Leadership Program (GEL), where he was the third-ever student leader. Fuhrmann’s experience leading fellow MIT students in diverse engineering contexts is aligned with his military training, reinforcing his readiness for collaborative and high-stakes environments like NASA.
His dedication extends beyond his own achievements, maintaining active engagement with the GEL program and mentoring future leaders in engineering. Fuhrmann’s commitment to leadership and education within the U.S. Air Force and the GEL program underscores the personal and professional networks that have supported his journey to becoming a NASA astronaut candidate.
Leo McGonagle, GEL founding and executive director, expressed pride in Fuhrmann’s accomplishments, remarking on the pivotal role he played in stabilizing the GEL program during its formative years. Julie Shah, head of the MIT Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, noted Fuhrmann as Course 16’s 19th astronaut alum, highlighting the department’s commitment to providing exceptional aerospace engineering education.
Fuhrmann’s journey to NASA reflects not only his own distinguished qualifications but also the strong foundation provided by MIT’s educational programs, as well as the values instilled by his military service. With the promise of further accomplishments in space exploration, Fuhrmann’s story is one of leadership, perseverance, and dedication to advancing human spaceflight.