NASA selected so many candidates in preparation for the anticipated need for ISS crew members, along with regular shuttle needs.

Nine of the 44 astronauts selected were from other countries, including 1 each from 5 Europe nations and 2 each from Canada and Japan.

Three members of this group, William C. McCool, David M. Brown, and Laurel B. Clark, died in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, during STS-107.

The group also includes Lisa Nowak, who was expelled from the astronaut corps in 2007.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.