NASA has opened a new round of astronaut applications aimed at selecting crew members who could eventually live and work on a permanent Moon base. The agency’s statement, released on Saturday by Administrator Jared Isaacman, emphasized that the chosen candidates would test spacecraft and later operate from a lunar outpost, a step toward the agency’s goal of returning humans to the Moon by 2028.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Any U.S. citizen may apply, and there is no official age limit. Applicants must hold a master’s degree in a STEM‑related discipline such as engineering, mathematics or, following a recent policy change, nursing. NASA spokesperson Anna Schneider told NPR that master’s‑level nursing degrees now satisfy the educational requirement because they are included in the agency’s definition of STEM. In addition to the degree, candidates need at least three years of professional experience in a related field after graduation.
The agency will also consider individuals who are currently enrolled in a STEM PhD program, as well as doctors and pilots with extensive flight experience, in lieu of the master’s degree and work‑experience threshold.
Training and Mission Objectives
Selected astronauts will undergo a two‑year training regimen designed to prepare them for complex missions, including a lunar landing near the Moon’s South Pole. The training will focus on technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork and courage, qualities highlighted in Isaacman’s statement. The starting salary for the position is $164,395, and applications are being accepted through Dec. 3.
Artemis Program and Timeline
The recruitment effort is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the Moon for the first time since 1972. NASA currently has 32 active astronauts, and since the 1960s it has selected 370 individuals for astronaut training. The agency relies on private partners such as Blue Origin and SpaceX to develop the systems and spacecraft needed for the lunar missions.
During a Nov. 7 press conference on Artemis III progress, Isaacman expressed confidence that the mission could launch in 2027, a year ahead of the 2028 target for a sustained human presence on the Moon. The competitive nature of the selection process was underscored by the fact that more than 8,000 applicants competed for the last astronaut class, with only 10 candidates ultimately chosen.
Prospective candidates are encouraged to submit their applications promptly, as the deadline approaches. Successful applicants will join a historic cohort tasked with extending human exploration beyond low‑Earth orbit and establishing a lasting foothold on the lunar surface.
Mitchell Landsberg is a Senior Technology Correspondent at News Raise. He covers consumer electronics, artificial intelligence, software developments, and digital privacy trends.
