NASA is accepting applications for its 25th astronaut class through December 3, 2026, for Artemis lunar missions and future crewed flights to Mars.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
NASA has opened applications for its 25th astronaut class, the agency's first call in two years, with a deadline of December 3, 2026. Final selections are expected in late 2027, after which candidates will begin training.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a master's degree in a scientific or technical field, such as engineering, biological sciences, physics, computer science, or mathematics, from an accredited institution. NASA also accepts at least two years of doctoral studies in a relevant scientific field, a recognized medical qualification, or completion of an accredited pilot test school program, subject to specific requirements. Applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in their field of specialization after obtaining the required qualification.
Pilots can qualify based on flight hours and experience flying jet aircraft, fixed-wing aircraft, or helicopters. One source states pilots can qualify with 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time, at least 850 of them in high-performance jets. Another source lists 750 hours as pilot in command in a high-performance jet, 1,500 total hours in other fixed-wing aircraft including 750 as pilot in command, or 1,000 total hours in rotary-wing aircraft including 300 as pilot in command.
Candidates must pass rigorous medical examinations specific to long-duration spaceflight and possess strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Those accepted will undergo a two-year training program at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, including spacewalks, spacecraft handling, operation of robotic systems, study of lunar geology, and piloting of high-performance aircraft.
The recruitment is part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable human presence there, paving the way for future crewed missions to Mars. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said selectees "could walk on the Moon" and "live and work at the Moon Base." Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said: "The window is open. The mission is waiting." Chief astronaut Scott Tingle, who chairs the Astronaut Selection Board at Johnson Space Center, called it "a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery."
NASA received more than 8,000 applications in its last astronaut selection campaign in 2024, and selected 10 candidates in 2025. The agency has selected 370 astronaut candidates since the 1960s and currently has 32 active astronauts. The 24th class, the "Platypi," was announced in 2025 with ten candidates and was the first NASA class with more women than men.
The new class will support NASA's plans to expand human presence beyond low Earth orbit, including lunar surface operations and Artemis missions, as the agency works toward establishing a future human base on the Moon and preparing for crewed missions to Mars.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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NASA is accepting applications for its 25th astronaut class through Dec. 3 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Selected candidates will train for about two years at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
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