Packing your bags for an off-world address might sound like science fiction, but NASA is making it official by opening applications for a brand-new class of astronauts tasked with living and working on the Moon. Under its ambitious lunar base plan, the agency is hunting for the next generation of space pioneers to help anchor humanity’s permanent presence on the lunar surface and eventually pave the way to Mars. While the opportunity promises an adventure unlike any other, getting selected will require more than simply having a passion for space. Do you have what it takes to become one of the Moon’s future residents?
Building the next lunar generation
The announcement was made on Saturday against the backdrop of a Kennedy Space Center air show celebrating cutting-edge aviation and space technology. It marks a monumental step forward as the United States officially opens the door for a fresh wave of pioneers to join its storied astronaut corps.
“This is an extraordinary time to join NASA’s astronaut corps,” said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman. “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.”
This new recruitment drive is a key pillar of the agency’s broader Artemis program. Agency leadership recently outlined ambitious timelines pointing toward a crewed return of Americans to the lunar surface in 2028, with support from commercial aerospace partners like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Rigorous selection process
For those daring enough to throw their hats into the ring, the competition is historically fierce. Since the dawn of the space program in the 1960s, NASA has selected just 370 individuals to train as astronaut candidates. Today, only 32 active astronauts make up the elite corps.
When NASA last opened applications in 2024, more than 8,000 hopefuls applied, but only 10 candidates ultimately made the cut in September 2025. Following the close of the current application window, NASA expects to review the pool and make its final selections in late 2027 to begin training.
“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 in Houston. “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.”
Do you have what it takes?
The requirements for joining this elite group are as demanding as the missions themselves. To be eligible, applicants must meet strict foundational and professional criteria:
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Education: Must hold a master’s degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics), possess medical qualifications, have pilot training, or have completed at least two years of work toward a relevant doctoral program.
- Experience: Requires a minimum of three years of related professional experience.
- Flight Hours (for Pilots): Must have either 750 hours of pilot-in-command time in a high-performance jet, 1,500 total flight hours in another fixed-wing aircraft, or 1,000 total flight hours in a rotary-wing aircraft.
For anyone dreaming of trading Earth for a lunar horizon, time is of the essence. Aspiring space travelers have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 3, to submit their applications and take their shot at history.
Source:
The Guardian