NASA is calling the next generation of explorers to join its astronaut corps as the agency prepares for a sustained lunar presence and the first crewed missions to Mars.
Key points
- The application window closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 3, 2025.
- Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, a master’s degree (or equivalent progress toward a doctorate), and at least three years of relevant experience.
- Selected candidates will train for lunar surface work, Moon Base operations, and future Mars missions, with final selections expected in late 2027.
- NASA’s astronaut corps currently includes 32 active astronauts; the new class will add to this roster.
NASA announced on Sept. 22, 2025 that applications are now open for its 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class, with a submission deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 3. Prospective candidates can file their materials through the agency’s online portal at https://go.nasa.gov/3WyvlQi.
“This is an extraordinary time to join NASA’s astronaut corps,” said Administrator Jared Isaacman. He added that the selected astronauts could walk on the Moon, live at a future Moon Base, and help develop the systems that will eventually carry crews to Mars.
Application deadline and process
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold at least a master’s degree in a STEM discipline—or be within two years of completing a doctorate, a medical degree, or a recognized test‑pilot program. In addition, they need a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, with pilots required to log specific flight hours and medical doctors able to count residency training toward the experience threshold.
The selection board, chaired by chief astronaut Scott Tingle, expects to make its final decisions in late 2027. The agency’s most recent intake in 2025 chose ten candidates from more than 8,000 applications, who are now completing nearly two years of training.
Eligibility and experience criteria
The incoming class will train for operations on the lunar surface, lunar geology, high‑performance aircraft, and other skills needed for the Artemis program’s push toward the Moon’s south pole and the longer‑term goal of crewed missions to Mars.
Reader questions
Who is eligible to apply for NASA’s 2025 astronaut candidate class?
U.S. citizens with a master’s degree in a STEM field (or comparable progress toward a doctorate, a medical degree, or a test‑pilot program) and at least three years of related professional experience may apply.
What is the deadline for submitting an application?
All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST on Dec. 3, 2025, via NASA’s online portal.
Source: nasa.gov
