NASA has opened its next astronaut recruitment call to US citizens, with applications due by December 3. The agency expects final selection in late 2027. Educational, professional and medical requirements accompany the call, while future training includes spacewalking and lunar geology. The recruitment forms part of NASA’s preparations for its planned human exploration missions.
NASA, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has opened applications for its next astronaut candidate class. Its call is open to US citizens until December 3, with final selection expected in late 2027. The agency presents recruitment as preparation for planned lunar-surface work and future human exploration missions. Submitting an application starts a process that separates candidate selection from eventual assignment to a spaceflight.[1]
A qualifying master's degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics is one educational route. Alternative routes listed by NASA include medical education, specified work towards a doctorate and training as a test pilot. Professional-experience requirements and pilot flight-hour criteria depend on the application pathway. Candidates must satisfy medical requirements for long-duration flight, alongside leadership, teamwork and communication skills. The citizenship condition applies across the recruitment call.[1]
NASA puts the active corps at 32 members. Since the 1960s, its astronaut selections have totalled 370 people. In the latest candidate class, 10 people secured places after the 2024 recruitment drew over 8,000 applications. Training subjects include spacewalking, lunar geology, high-performance aircraft and preparation for the physical demands of long missions, as well as the skills needed to work together in space.[1]
