Science

NASA needs more astronauts for moon missions and beyond. You can apply now, but only until Dec. 3

"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." It's been two years since NASA last sought applications for astronauts.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•2 min read•Updated November 9, 2026, 4:00 PM UTC
Key points
  • "For those who apply, becoming a NASA astronaut is more than a career opportunity,” said NASA chief astronaut Scott Tingle, who also chairs the Astronaut Selection Board at….
  • "There is a lot to be done in order to get all of these new vehicles and the new suits and everything as we continue to work towards the moon, build a base there, stay permanently, and then eventually onto Mars," NASA astronaut Nichole Stilwell, class of 2021, told Space.com in an interview at KSC during the Max Power event.
  • Four more astronauts will test Artemis moon landers in Earth orbit on the Artemis III mission in 2027.

Its announcement comes the same year that NASA returned astronauts to the moon for the first time since the Apollo era with the Artemis II moon flyby.

"And so we just don't have enough people, and we're looking for more." NASA's 2025 astronaut class, as seen in September 2025 when NASA announced them to the world.

Additional details
  • If NASA ever hopes to build a permanent moon base for astronauts, let alone aim for Mars, the U.S.
  • Here's three other ways NASA might consider your application, according to the agency's advisory: "Completion of at least two years of work toward a doctoral program in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
  • (Image credit: NASA) If you're interested in applying to be a NASA astronaut, you should take a look at the requirements first.
  • 3 to apply (the application website is here), with NASA planning to make its final selections in late 2027.
  • If you want to be a pilot astronaut for NASA, you'll need some serious flight hours under your belt.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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