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Want to fly to the moon? NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program
KSL • • science
Key Points:
- NASA has opened applications for a new astronaut class to support the Artemis program aimed at establishing a permanent lunar base, with submissions accepted until December 3 and final selections expected by late 2027.
- The agency currently has only 32 active astronauts and needs more personnel to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit, especially as Artemis missions prepare to return humans to the moon by 2028.
- Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik emphasized the urgency of recruiting new astronauts to meet the growing demands of lunar exploration, with training for selected candidates beginning in early 2028.
- Upcoming Artemis missions include a 2025 flyaround by Artemis II and a 2026 mission practicing docking with lunar landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, leading up to Artemis IV's planned lunar south pole landing.
- Candidates must be U.S. citizens with college degrees and professional experience, and should be prepared for rigorous training and years of work mostly supporting lunar missions rather than immediate space travel.
