NASA opens applications for next astronaut class

NASA said applications are open for the agency’s next class of astronauts. U.S. citizens must submit completed application materials by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, Dec. 3. Selected candidates will begin training after the final selection.

The agency said the next class will train to operate on the lunar surface, live and work beyond Earth and take on missions that will push the boundaries of human exploration. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said selected astronauts could walk on the Moon, work at the Moon Base and help pioneer systems for crewed missions to Mars.

Basic requirements include United States citizenship and a master’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution. NASA said the degree requirement can also be met by completing at least two years of work toward a doctoral program in an appropriate technical field, completing a specified medical degree or completing or currently enrolling in a nationally recognized Test Pilot School program.

Candidates must have at least three years of related professional experience after completing their qualifying degree. NASA said pilots may meet the requirement with 750 hours of pilot-in-command time in high-performance jet aircraft, 1,500 total flight hours in other fixed-wing aircraft or 1,000 total flight hours in rotary-wing aircraft.

Astronaut candidates must pass NASA’s long-duration astronaut flight physical and demonstrate strong leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Medical doctors may count residency training toward the professional experience requirement if the training is completed by July 2027.

NASA expects to make its final selection in late 2027. The agency last opened applications in 2024. From more than 8,000 applications, 10 astronaut candidates were selected in 2025 and are currently completing nearly two years of training. Since the 1960s, NASA has selected 370 people to train as astronaut candidates.