NASA is looking for astronauts to live and work on the Moon
NASA has opened astronaut applications for future moon missions, aiming to select a cohort that will train for two years and live and work on a moon base as part of Artemis III toward a 2028 return to the lunar surface. The agency seeks candidates with master’s degrees in STEM fields and at least three years of related experience, with nursing degrees now qualifying under the STEM definition. The program remains highly competitive, building on a legacy of 370 trained astronauts from over 8,000 applicants in the last class. Key goals include advancing missions near the Moon’s South Pole and leveraging private partners like Blue Origin and SpaceX to develop necessary systems. The effort signals a continued push to extend human presence beyond Earth and establish long-term lunar exploration infrastructure.
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NASA is accepting applications to become an astronaut, with selected individuals expected to help test spacecraft and inhabit a future moon base as part of Artemis III.
Candidates must have a master’s degree in a STEM field and at least three years of related professional experience; nursing degrees are now counted within the STEM definition, and PhD candidates or pilots with extensive flight experience are also considered alternatives.
The astronaut corps currently includes 32 active members, and since the 1960s NASA has trained 370 astronauts in total, highlighting the program's long-running selectivity.
The training pipeline for new astronauts spans two years, preparing them for demanding tasks including possible precision landings near the Moon’s South Pole.
Progress toward a 2028 moon return relies on partnerships with private firms Blue Origin and SpaceX to develop the necessary launch and return systems, with Artemis III progress estimated for a 2027 launch window.
Applications are open through December 3, and the program emphasizes exceptional technical, judgmental, and teamwork qualities as essential for mission success.
The initiative comes amid ongoing announcements and statements by NASA and Artemis program officials, underscoring a renewed, government-private collaboration to sustain human lunar exploration.