NASA has officially opened astronaut applications for upcoming crewed missions to the Moon and Mars, inviting U.S. citizens with extensive STEM or pilot qualifications to apply by December 3, 2026.
The space agency launched its newest recruitment drive during an air show at the Kennedy Space Center, seeking candidates to help build a permanent lunar base and prepare for future voyages to Mars. Successful applicants will join an elite corps that currently stands at just thirty-two active members.
Isaacman noted that the recruits selected in this round could walk on the lunar surface, work at the new Moon Base, and help pioneer systems needed for eventual crewed flights to Mars. The job posting lists an annual salary of $164,395 for the position, which requires frequent travel, irregular hours, and extended mission durations.
“The people we select could walk on the Moon, live and work at the Moon Base, and help pioneer the systems and operations that will ultimately carry crews to Mars,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said.
Strict Educational and Flight Requirements
Applicants must hold U.S. citizenship and possess at least a master’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution, alongside three years of related professional experience. Alternatively, candidates can qualify by completing two years of work toward a doctoral program in a technical field, holding a medical degree, or finishing a recognized Test Pilot School program by July 2027.
Pilot applicants face distinct flight-hour thresholds depending on their aircraft type. The agency requires between 750 and 1,500 flight hours, with specific minimums set for pilot-in-command time on high-performance jets or rotary-wing aircraft.
Selection Timeline and Training Plans
The application portal closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 3, 2026. NASA expects to finalize its selection by late 2027, with the new candidate class reporting to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for roughly two years of basic training starting in winter 2027–2028.
During the previous recruitment cycle in 2024, the agency received over 8,000 applications before narrowing the field down to ten candidates in September 2025. Those trainees are currently finishing their two-year preparation program.
While the incoming class will support the broader expansion of the Artemis program, mission assignments depend on numerous operational factors and wait times can be lengthy.
“It is a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and play a role in the missions that will shape humanity's future in space,” Scott Tingle, the chief astronaut and chair of the Astronaut Selection Board, said.