NASA has opened the application period for its next class of astronauts to support upcoming lunar missions. The agency is seeking recruits to operate spacecraft and eventually reside at a future moon base. According to a statement released on Saturday by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, these roles will require technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork, and courage.
The current call for recruits comes as NASA works toward the goal of returning humans to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. The agency reports it is collaborating with private companies, including SpaceX and Blue Origin, to develop the necessary spacecraft and landing systems. During a press conference on November 7 regarding the Artemis III mission, Isaacman stated he is confident the mission will launch in 2027, with a broader goal of lunar landings by 2028.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and possess a master's degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) field, followed by at least three years of professional experience. NASA spokesperson Anna Schneider told NPR on Sunday that the agency has updated its criteria to include master's-level nursing degrees as a qualifying STEM credential. Alternatively, the agency will consider applicants who are medical doctors, enrolled in a STEM PhD program, or pilots with extensive flight experience.
The selection process is historically competitive, with the agency noting that only 10 candidates were chosen from a pool of more than 8,000 applicants for the previous astronaut class. There are currently 32 active members in the NASA astronaut corps. Since the 1960s, a total of 370 individuals have been selected for astronaut training. Those selected for this new class will undergo a two-year training program, which includes preparation for missions near the moon’s South Pole.
The starting salary for those selected is $164,395 per year. This recruitment comes as the agency prepares for long-term lunar habitation and exploration. The inclusion of nursing degrees as a qualifying credential represents a change in how NASA defines the necessary skill sets for missions, as nursing degrees were previously excluded.
The concrete day-to-day impact for the selected few will involve intensive training for 24 months before they are eligible for flight assignments. These individuals will be tasked with testing spacecraft and eventually living and working on the moon in a future moon base. The application window is currently open and will remain so through December 3. Following the deadline, the agency will begin the vetting process for the two-year training program scheduled to follow.