NASA Hiring Moon Astronauts: Apply by Dec 3

The United States space agency NASA is now hiring astronauts to live and work on the Moon, opening its first recruitment drive since 2024 as the Artemis program accelerates toward a permanent lunar base. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 3, 2026, and only American citizens are eligible.

NASA's Moon Base Ambitions Drive New Astronaut Recruitment

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the selected candidates could walk on the Moon, live and work at the Moon Base, and help develop systems and procedures that will eventually take crews to Mars. "The people we select would be on the Moon, living and working at the Moon Base, and helping to build the systems and procedures that will one day carry crews to Mars," Isaacman said. The agency currently has 32 active astronauts, and the new class will join them to prepare for upcoming Artemis missions.

This push follows the successful Artemis II mission in April 2026, when four NASA astronauts flew around the Moon for the first time since 1972 and set a human distance record of 406,773 kilometers from Earth. The Artemis lunar exploration program now aims to land crews on the lunar surface as early as 2028.

What Are the NASA Astronaut Application Requirements?

To apply for the NASA astronaut candidate program, applicants must meet several strict criteria:

• U.S. citizenship (no age limit)
• A master's degree in a qualifying STEM field, or two years of qualifying doctoral coursework, or a qualifying medical degree, or completion of a Test Pilot School program by July 2027
• At least three years of related professional experience after the degree; pilots may substitute extensive flight hours
• Ability to pass NASA's long-duration astronaut flight physical, including vision correctable to 20/20, drug screening, and swimming tests

The position pays a starting salary of $164,395 annually and requires relocation to Houston's Johnson Space Center. Selectees will complete nearly two years of training before becoming eligible for flight assignments.

Artemis Mission Timeline: From Flyby to Moon Landing

NASA's Artemis program has an ambitious roadmap. After Artemis II's successful lunar flyby in April 2026, Artemis III is scheduled for late 2027 and will test a Human Landing System in Earth orbit, with Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano becoming the first European in an Artemis crew. Artemis IV, targeted for 2028, is planned to be the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo. Later missions aim to establish the permanent Moon Base as a stepping stone for human missions to Mars.

Scott Tingle, NASA's chief astronaut and selection committee chair, described the opportunity as "a chance to be part of a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of science and to play a role in the missions that will shape the future of humanity in space."

How Competitive Is NASA Astronaut Selection?

Competition is fierce. In NASA's last open recruitment in 2024, the agency received more than 8,000 applications and selected only 10 astronaut candidates in 2025. Those candidates are currently completing nearly two years of training. NASA expects to announce final selections for the new class in late 2027, with training beginning in early 2028.

For international applicants, the bad news is clear: the vacancy is open only to U.S. citizens, so Dutch and other non-American hopefuls cannot apply this cycle. Still, the expanded recruitment reflects the growing demands of the Artemis program and the coming era of sustained lunar exploration.

FAQ: NASA Moon Astronaut Recruitment 2026

Who can apply to be a NASA astronaut?

Only U.S. citizens can apply. There is no age limit, but candidates must meet education and professional experience requirements, including a STEM master's degree or equivalent.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, December 3, 2026.

When will NASA select the new astronauts?

NASA expects to announce final selections in late 2027, with training starting in early 2028.

How much do NASA astronauts get paid?

The starting salary for this astronaut position is $164,395 per year, plus benefits, with relocation to Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Will the new astronauts definitely go to the Moon?

Not necessarily. Selection does not guarantee a flight assignment or a Moon mission, but the class will support Artemis lunar surface operations and future Mars preparation.