NASA Opens Applications for Moon Base Astronauts
The agency seeks 32 new astronauts for a 2028 lunar return, starting salaries at $164,395, with a deadline of December 3.
By Pedro Barnes ·
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced on Saturday that the agency is accepting applications from U.S. citizens interested in joining the astronaut corps. The new cohort will prepare for a future moon base where crews will live and work, a shift from previous roles that focused primarily on testing spacecraft.
Isaacman stated that these missions require technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork, and courage. He emphasized that the astronaut corps has historically called on Americans willing to accept extraordinary challenges in service to the nation. The current active corps consists of 32 astronauts. Since the 1960s, the agency has selected 370 individuals for training.
The selection process is highly competitive. During the previous recruitment cycle, more than 8,000 people applied for a class that ultimately selected only 10 candidates. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a master's degree in a STEM-related field, such as engineering or mathematics. There is no official age restriction for applicants.
A recent policy change allows master's-level nursing degrees to qualify under the STEM definition. Anna Schneider, a NASA spokesperson, told NPR on Sunday that nursing degrees were previously excluded. This change brings them in line with the minimum educational requirements. Alternatively, NASA will consider candidates in STEM PhD programs, doctors, or pilots with extensive flight experience who do not hold the standard master's degree and work experience combination.
Applicants must also have at least three years of professional experience in a related field after completing their degree. If selected, candidates will undergo two years of training. This preparation will cover difficult missions, including landing near the moon's South Pole. NASA aims to return humans to the moon in 2028, the first time since 1972, relying on private companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX for spacecraft development.
Isaacman expressed confidence during a November 7 press conference that the Artemis III moon mission will launch in 2027. The starting salary for the new astronauts is $164,395. Applications are open until December 3.
The agency will review all submissions by the deadline to identify the next group of candidates for the lunar program.
