NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class Ahead of Moon Missions

NASA announced that U.S. citizens can apply for its next astronaut class until midnight ET on Dec. 3, with the aim of selecting candidates who could eventually live and work on a lunar base. The position offers an annual salary of $164,395 and requires relocation to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Applicants must meet specific educational and experience criteria. Eligible educational backgrounds include a master’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics; two years of doctoral coursework in those fields; a qualifying medical degree such as an MD, physician assistant or nurse practitioner; or completion of a recognized test-pilot school by July 2027. In addition, candidates need at least three years of professional experience in a relevant discipline after completing their degree or pilot training.

For pilots, the agency requires either 750 hours as lead pilot of a high-performance jet, 1,500 hours in other fixed-wing aircraft with 750 in command, or 1,000 hours in rotary-wing aircraft with 300 in command. Test-pilot applicants must have completed or be enrolled in test-pilot school and have three years of related flight-test experience. Medical, scientific, engineering and operations candidates must also demonstrate three years of relevant professional experience.

"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 Administrator Jared Isaacman said.

Additional requirements include passing medical, psychiatric and background checks, meeting vision standards of corrected 20/20, and completing a swimming test. Candidates must be able to perform physically demanding tasks, work in hazardous environments, and be prepared for extended isolation, including deployments of 12 months or longer.