NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class

The call is the first in two years and supports Artemis crews for a planned 2028 lunar surface return.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Space

NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class

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NASA opened applications for a new astronaut class, its first such call in two years, as it works to expand its astronaut corps for the Artemis program. The call is an announced program step, not a shipped capability; applications are due December 3.

Why it matters

NASA says it needs more astronauts to expand human presence beyond low-Earth orbit, and the class is tied to a planned return of astronauts to the lunar surface in 2028. The previous call drew more than 8,000 applicants for 10 final spots.

The call follows the pattern of NASA's prior selections, with 8,000-plus applicants competing for 10 finalist slots in the last cycle. Candidates must be U.S. citizens with college degrees and professional work experience, and mandatory training lasts two years.

The players

NASA

The U.S. space agency, which runs the Artemis program and maintains the astronaut corps, including 32 active astronauts.

SpaceX

The private rocket company building one of the two lunar landers slated to practice docking during the Artemis III mission.

Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos's space company building the second lunar lander slated for the Artemis III docking practice.

The details

NASA is recruiting a new cohort of astronauts, its 25th class since 1959, to staff the Artemis program. Candidates must be U.S. citizens holding college degrees and professional work experience. Selected candidates then complete mandatory training lasting two years before they are assigned to missions.

September 2025: 10 astronaut candidates made the final cut in the previous selection.
April: The Artemis II crew completed a lunar flyaround.
December 3: Deadline to submit applications for the new class.
Early 2028: New candidates are expected to begin training.
Late 2027: NASA expects to make its final astronaut selection.

The Tech Race

The Artemis program's planned 2028 lunar surface return sets the timeline this recruitment serves. Commercial landers from SpaceX and Blue Origin are being tested alongside NASA's own crew operations during the Artemis III docking mission.

U.S. citizens with college degrees and professional work experience can apply through the call open now, with applications due December 3. Selected candidates would then face two years of mandatory training before flight assignments.

The takeaway

NASA's lunar return target of 2028 is the milestone to watch, along with the December 3 application close and the final selection expected by late 2027. Those dates will show whether the recruitment keeps pace with the Artemis schedule.

What happens next

NASA's application window closes December 3, and it expects to make its final astronaut selection by late 2027, with new candidates beginning training in early 2028.