NASA Reopens Astronaut Applications for First Time in Two Years, Seeking Moon- and Mars-Bound Class

NASA opened applications on November 7 for its 25th astronaut class, the first call since 2024. The agency announced the search at its MAX POWER event at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, saying the new astronauts will join NASA as America returns to the Moon, builds the Moon Base and lays the groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars. (Archive image: the Artemis III lunar spacesuit.)

Deadline December 3; US citizens only

Applicants must be US citizens, and completed applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 3. NASA expects to make its final selection in late 2027, with the chosen candidates beginning training as astronaut candidates in early 2028. The basic requirements include a master's degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field from an accredited institution and at least three years of related professional experience after the degree; pilots can qualify instead with 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time, at least 850 of them in high-performance jets.

More than 8,000 applied last time; only 10 were chosen

NASA last opened applications in 2024, receiving more than 8,000 applications and selecting 10 astronaut candidates in September 2025, who are now completing nearly two years of training. The agency has 32 active astronauts and has selected only 370 astronaut candidates since the Mercury Seven in 1959. NASA says the new class will be one of its most important yet, training for low Earth orbit, lunar surface operations and Artemis missions.

Preparing for a 2028 return to the Moon

Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik told the Associated Press that the current workload far exceeds the number of available crew members, and NASA intends to return astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028, for the first time in more than half a century. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the new class will join NASA as it returns to the Moon, builds the Moon Base and prepares for the first crewed missions to Mars.