NASA has opened applications for its next class of astronaut candidates, seeking U.S. citizens to train for missions that could include walking on the Moon, living at the Moon Base, and helping develop systems for eventual crewed missions to Mars. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 3.
"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." Isaacman said the missions will demand technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork, and courage.
NASA expects to make its final selection in late 2027, with the chosen candidates beginning training as the next class of astronaut candidates. The agency last opened applications in 2024. From more than 8,000 applications, it selected 10 astronaut candidates in 2025. Those candidates are currently completing nearly two years of training.
The new class will train on spacewalking, lunar geology, and operation of high-performance aircraft as they join the ranks of NASA's 32 active astronauts. Since the 1960s, NASA has selected 370 people to train as astronaut candidates.
Basic requirements include U.S. citizenship and a master's degree in a STEM field, including engineering, biological science, physical science, or computer science, from an accredited institution. The master's degree requirement can be met through completion of at least two years of work toward a doctoral program in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics; completion of a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner, or a related medical degree; or completion of, or current enrollment in, a nationally recognized Test Pilot School program, provided it is completed by July 2027.
Candidates must also have at least three years of related professional experience after their qualifying degree. For pilots, the professional experience requirement may be met through flight experience including 750 hours of pilot-in-command time in high-performance jet aircraft, or 1,500 total flight hours including 750 hours as pilot in command in other fixed-wing aircraft. For medical doctors, residency training may count toward the requirement and must be completed by July 2027. Astronaut candidates must pass NASA's long-duration astronaut flight physical and demonstrate strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
"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 at NASA's Johnson Space Center. "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."
NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said: "The window is open. The mission is waiting. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you."
NASA says it will send astronauts on increasingly difficult missions near the lunar South Pole to explore more of the Moon, establish an enduring human presence on the lunar surface, and build on the agency's foundation for the first crewed mission to Mars.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The selected candidates could be among the first astronauts to walk on the Moon since the Apollo era, under NASA's Artemis program
- They will train for an enduring lunar presence and systems designed for Mars, shaping the next phase of human spaceflight
- The application window is open for only a few more weeks, with final selection not expected until late 2027
Background
Since the 1960s, NASA has selected 370 people to train as astronaut candidates. The agency currently has 32 active astronauts. The new class will train for increasingly difficult missions under the Artemis program, including operations near the lunar South Pole, establishing a Moon Base, and building toward the first crewed mission to Mars.
What to Watch
- The application deadline of Dec. 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
- NASA's final selection announcement in late 2027 for the next astronaut candidate class
- Which Artemis mission timeline the new class will train for, including potential crew assignments to lunar surface missions
Checked
10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedNASA has opened applications for its next class of astronaut candidates, for missions including the Moon and groundwork for crewed Mars missions.NASA: “Applications are now open for the agency’s next class of astronauts, who will join NASA as America returns to the Moon, builds the Moon Base, and lays the groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars.”
- SupportedThe agency is seeking candidates to train to operate on the lunar surface and help lay groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars.NASA: “The next generation of astronauts will train to operate on the lunar surface, live and work beyond Earth”
- SupportedApplicants must submit completed materials by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 3.NASA: “U.S. citizens interested in joining the astronaut corps have until 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 3, to submit their completed application materials”
- SupportedIsaacman said, “This is an extraordinary time to join NASA's astronaut corps,” and that selected people “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: ““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.”
- Partly supportedThe master's-degree requirement can be met through enrollment in or completion of a recognised Test Pilot School program, provided it is completed by July 2027.NASA: “Completion of, or current enrollment in, a nationally recognized Test Pilot School program, provided the program is completed by July 2027. If Test Pilot School is the only advanced technical degree, then completion of a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field”
- Partly supportedFor pilots, flight experience can meet the professional-experience requirement through 750 hours as pilot in command in high-performance jets, or 1,500 total hours including 750 as pilot in command in other fixed-wing aircraft.NASA: “Rotary-wing aircraft: 1,000 total flight hours, including 300 hours as pilot in command.”
- SupportedNASA expects to make its final selection in late 2027, and the selected candidates will begin training as the next class.NASA: “NASA expects to make its final selection in late 2027 to begin training as the next class of astronaut candidates.”
- SupportedFrom more than 8,000 applications, NASA selected 10 astronaut candidates in 2025, who are completing nearly two years of training.NASA: “From more than 8,000 applications, 10 astronaut candidates were selected in 2025 and are currently completing nearly two years of training.”
- SupportedTingle said becoming a NASA astronaut is “more than a career opportunity” and “a chance to join a legacy of explorers” and play a role in missions shaping humanity's future in space.NASA: ““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 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “It is a chance to join a legacy of explorers”
- SupportedDeputy Administrator Matt Anderson said, “The window is open. The mission is waiting. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you.”NASA: ““The window is open. The mission is waiting. And the only thing missing from the greatest adventure humanity has ever embarked upon is you,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson.”
