Rocket verses the Shuttle

I watched in awe as I absorbed the height of the new rocket set to replace the space shuttle. I could not picture myself riding on something so thin. I wonder what type of astronaut would chance to be the first to ride the rocket? I know the space shuttle is very old, but it has more room for the astronauts to move around and can carry more than just two or three people at a time. The space shuttle also lands like a plane which is easier than splashing down in the ocean or landing in some field like those in Russia.