NASA Wants Moon-Base Builders

NASA is accepting applications for its next class of astronauts, a group the agency says will help build a permanent Moon base and prepare for the first crewed trips to Mars.

Story Snapshot

NASA opened applications for its next astronaut class, with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST on December 3.
The agency says new astronauts will support Artemis Moon missions, a lunar base, and future Mars flights.
Candidates must meet strict requirements, including a STEM master’s degree and a long-duration astronaut physical.
NASA got more than 8,000 applications in 2024 and chose just 10 candidates in 2025.

NASA Opens the Door for New Astronauts

NASA announced that applications are now open for its next class of astronauts. The agency said these new hires “will join NASA as America returns to the Moon, builds the Moon Base, and lays the groundwork for the first crewed missions to Mars”. The application window closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 3. This marks the first new astronaut call in about two years, based on NASA’s recent selection history.

The last group NASA picked shows just how competitive this process is. More than 8,000 people applied in 2024, and NASA chose only 10 candidates in 2025. Those selected are now in nearly two years of training. Once they finish, they become eligible for flight assignments to low Earth orbit, the Moon, or Mars. Eligibility does not guarantee a seat on a specific mission.

What It Takes to Qualify

NASA’s requirements are strict and clearly spelled out. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math field, or an approved equivalent. They also need relevant work experience or qualifying time as a jet pilot. On top of that, candidates must pass NASA’s long-duration astronaut physical and show strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

The selection process itself runs through NASA’s Astronaut Selection Board. The board reviews every application, checks qualifications against the published standards, and invites a small group of finalists to interview at Johnson Space Center in Houston. This system has stayed mostly the same for decades, even as the size and makeup of each class has shifted with mission needs.

A Long History of Big Goals and Slower Timelines

NASA has picked astronaut classes well before knowing exactly which missions they would fly. The 1963 class trained for Gemini and Apollo, but assignments came only after more screening. The 1984 class came from nearly 5,000 applicants and became eligible for shuttle missions after about a year of training, with actual flight assignments decided later. The pattern NASA used then looks much like the one it’s using now.

That history matters because NASA’s exploration goals, including the Moon base and Mars missions, depend on more than just hiring astronauts. Government watchdog reports show mixed progress on related programs. One Government Accountability Office review found that two of NASA’s major projects had schedule delays last year, while three ran over budget by a combined $501.4 million. Another report flagged that ground systems tied to future Artemis missions still lack a completed schedule risk analysis.

NASA has also faced workforce pressure that could affect how it carries out its exploration plans. The agency cut its civil servant workforce by about 4,000 people, or nearly 22%, in 2025 as part of a broader push to shrink the federal workforce. Officials told investigators this also delayed NASA’s strategic workforce planning for fiscal year 2026, raising questions about how the agency will staff its long-term goals even as it recruits new astronauts.

What Happens Next

For now, the facts are straightforward. NASA is taking applications, has set clear eligibility rules, and runs a interview process at Johnson Space Center. Selected candidates will spend close to two years training before they can be considered for any mission. Whether they ever reach the Moon or Mars will depend on decisions, budgets, and schedules still to come.

Want to fly to the moon and help build a permanent lunar base? NASA is accepting applications for a new astronaut class that will help grow the Artemis program. pic.twitter.com/s8APV25zLi

— Louisiana First News (@LAFirstNews) November 7, 2026

The application window gives thousands of hopeful engineers, scientists, and pilots a shot at one of the most competitive jobs in the country. Based on recent history, the odds of making the final cut remain steep, with past classes selecting roughly 10 people from thousands of applicants.