NASA opens applications for new Artemis astronaut class

NASA has opened applications for a new cohort of astronauts as part of the Artemis program’s expansion. The agency said the selected candidates will help "shape humanity’s future in space" while building a lunar base and preparing for crewed missions to Mars.

The announcement was made at a Kennedy Space Center air show that highlighted lunar exploration, aviation and technology advances. > "This is an extraordinary time to join NASA’s astronaut corps," NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said. "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 plans to make its final selection in late 2027 and begin training the new class. The agency previously opened applications in 2024, accepting 10 new astronauts from more than 8,000 applicants in September 2025. > "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."

Since the 1960s, NASA has selected 370 people for astronaut training and currently has 32 active astronauts. The agency’s goal is to return Americans to the Moon by 2028, with commercial partners such as SpaceX and Blue Origin slated to support crewed lunar landings.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a master’s degree in a STEM field, medical qualifications, pilot training, or be enrolled in a relevant doctoral program, plus three years of related professional experience. Pilot applicants must meet specific flight-hour requirements. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, 3 December.