NASA has opened applications for new astronauts for the first time since 2024. The US space agency announced the recruitment drive on November 7, inviting eligible Americans to apply to join its astronaut team.
Interested candidates must submit their applications through the US government’s official job portal. Applicants can find the form here: NASA astronaut job application . Applicants must be US citizens. Candidates must meet NASA’s education requirements. They must have at least one of the following: Applicants must also have professional work experience. Pilots can also qualify through flight experience. Candidates must pass a medical examination. They must be physically fit and able to complete NASA’s long-duration spaceflight astronaut physical.
The last date to apply is December 3, 2026. Applicants must have at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. NASA’s listed qualifications also refer to 1,500 total flight hours for certain pilot applicants.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said this is an important time to join the astronaut team. He said the selected candidates could walk on the Moon, live and work at a planned Moon Base and help develop the technology and systems needed to send astronauts to Mars.
What will the newly selected NASA astronauts do?
The new astronauts could take part in NASA’s Artemis programme. The Moon missions could help prepare NASA for human missions to Mars. Astronauts will help test systems, technology and operations that could be needed for future journeys to the Red Planet.
