NASA has officially opened applications for a new round of astronauts. The winners will have the chance to land on the Moon, work at a future lunar base, and help prepare for the first human flight to Mars.
NASA has officially opened applications for a new round of astronauts. The winners will have the chance to land on the Moon, work at a future lunar base, and help prepare for the first human flight to Mars.
"This is an extraordinary time to join NASA's astronaut corps. The people we select will have the opportunity to walk on the Moon, live and work on a lunar base, and help develop the systems and operations that will ultimately take crews to Mars," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
The position offers an annual salary of about $164,395, but the requirements for candidates are quite strict.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a master's degree in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) field. Certain medical qualifications, doctorates, or test pilot training may also satisfy the educational requirements.
You must have at least three years of relevant professional experience (for pilots, a certain number of flight hours is taken into account).
Applicants must successfully pass a NASA medical examination, as well as demonstrate a high level of communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Selected candidates will undergo about two years of intensive training, where they will be taught how to go into outer space, work with robotics, and control spacecraft, Dexerto writes .
Competition will be extremely high. During the previous recruitment in 2024, only 10 people were selected from over 8,000 applicants.
Applications will be accepted until December 3, 2026, and the new class of astronauts will be announced in late 2027.
