NASA has officially opened applications for its next astronaut candidate class as the agency prepares for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
The space agency put out the call for future space travelers on November 7 during an air show at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. U.S. citizens have until 11:59 p.m. EST on December 3 to submit application materials through NASA’s application portal. This recruitment cycle marks the 25th astronaut class in agency history, following an application window that drew more than 8,000 applicants and yielded selections.
This is an extraordinary time to join NASA’s astronaut corps,
said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. 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.
We had a great time at MAX POWER — and made a lot of news! We're recruiting a new class of astronauts, making major advancements on the Moon Base, and challenging students to a $1 million design competition. Catch up with everything we announced at the festival:… pic.twitter.com/4lmhzUDKWn
The announcement arrived alongside a recruitment video featuring astronauts Jessica Meir, Andre Douglas, Deniz Burnham, Randy Bresnik, Kayla Barron, Jack Hathaway, and Chris Williams. Agency leaders have emphasized that the current cadre of 32 active astronauts must expand to support upcoming lunar operations, spacecraft tests, and future expeditions beyond Earth. Since selecting the original Mercury 7 astronauts in 1959, NASA has recruited a total of 370 individuals for spaceflight.
Applicants must meet specific educational benchmarks, beginning with a master’s degree in a qualifying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field from an accredited institution. According to NASA spokesperson Anna Schneider, master’s-level nursing degrees now meet this minimum requirement after previously being excluded. Candidates can also qualify by completing at least two years of work toward a doctoral program in an appropriate technical field, or by holding a recognized medical degree.
Come join us @NASAKennedy for Max Power! Astronaut applications are now open, check out https://t.co/KI6Tgexssv pic.twitter.com/q5wDLByfnm
Those without an advanced technical degree may qualify through completion of, or current enrollment in, a nationally recognized Test Pilot School program, provided the training finishes by July 2027. In addition to educational prerequisites, applicants must accumulate three years of related professional experience.
Pilot applicants face distinct flight hour minimums, including 750 hours as pilot in command of high-performance jet aircraft, 1,500 total flight hours in fixed-wing aircraft, or 1,000 total flight hours in rotary-wing aircraft. Medical doctors can count residency training toward their required experience, provided those residencies are completed by July 2027.
NASA also requires all hopefuls to pass a long-duration astronaut flight physical and demonstrate exceptional teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities. The agency cautions that deep-space assignments and rigorous duties may involve austere living conditions and periods of extended separation from loved ones.
Selected candidates will report to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston for a two-year training regimen covering robotics, leadership, lunar geology, and spacewalking. Recruits join as civilian federal employees earning a starting salary of $164,395 per year, with relocation fees to Houston potentially covered by the agency. NASA anticipates making final selections for the new class in late 2027.
For those who apply, becoming a NASA astronaut is more than a career opportunity,
said Scott Tingle, chief astronaut and chair of the Astronaut Selection Board. 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.
The window is open. The mission is waiting,
said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you.
Earlier coverage: NASA Opens Applications For Moon And Mars Astronaut Missions