New NASA Astronauts Graduate, Eying Moon -- And Mars

Astronaut graduates from the United States and United Arab Emirates during a ceremony at the NASA Johnson Space Center (Credit: AFP)

After two years of rigorous training, ten Americans officially became astronauts on Tuesday, and are now eligible for planned NASA missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and -- if all goes well -- to Mars.

Two Emiratis who trained alongside them also graduated Tuesday during a ceremony at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.