NASA has opened its astronaut recruitment process to qualified candidates interested in space exploration and lunar operations. According to a statement from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman released this month, selected individuals would not only pilot and test spacecraft but would also inhabit and conduct operations at a planned moon base.
The agency currently maintains an active corps of 32 astronauts. Since the inception of NASA missions in the 1960s, the organization has trained 370 individuals for astronaut roles. The selection process remains highly selective; in the most recent recruitment cycle, only 10 candidates were chosen from more than 8,000 applicants.
Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship and a master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field. Notably, master’s-level nursing degrees have been added to the acceptable qualifications, expanding the scope beyond previous restrictions. Applicants must also demonstrate a minimum of three years of professional experience in their field following degree completion. Alternative pathways exist for candidates pursuing PhDs in STEM disciplines, as well as physicians and pilots with substantial flight backgrounds.
Successful candidates will complete a two-year training program to prepare for demanding missions, including potential operations near the lunar South Pole. NASA aims to return humans to the moon in 2028, marking the first lunar landing since 1972. The agency is partnering with private companies including Blue Origin and SpaceX to develop the necessary spacecraft and systems. NASA Administrator Isaacman expressed confidence that the Artemis III mission will launch in 2027.
The starting salary for the position is $164,395. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 3.
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