NASA opens applications for new astronaut class to support Artemis program
NASA announced a new recruitment drive for astronauts, with applications open until Dec. 3, aiming to select candidates by late 2027 to train for upcoming lunar missions.
NASA said on Saturday at a Kennedy Space Center air show that it is accepting applications for a new astronaut class to expand the Artemis program. The agency, which currently has 32 active astronauts, received more than 8,000 applications for its last recruitment two years ago and selected 10 candidates in September 2025.
The deadline for submissions is Dec. 3, and NASA plans to announce the final selections by late 2027, with training to begin in early 2028. That timeline aligns with the agency’s goal to return astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028 after the Artemis II crew’s lunar flyby earlier this year.
"We have far more work than we have astronauts," Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik told the Associated Press.
Bresnik, who will lead the Artemis III crew, emphasized the need for additional personnel as the agency prepares for Artemis IV, which aims to land two astronauts near the lunar south pole. The upcoming mission will include a rehearsal in orbit next summer, using lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin, to practice docking procedures.
Artemis III astronaut Frank Rubio noted that most training and work will occur on Earth, with only a small portion directly involving lunar activities. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, hold a college degree, and have professional experience. The two-year training program is described as demanding, and successful applicants could spend several more years before a spaceflight opportunity arises.
The new class will be the 25th astronaut cohort since the Mercury Seven in 1959.