NASA Is Now Accepting Applications for Its Next Astronaut Class

Your dream of becoming an astronaut could come true. NASA recently announced that it is opening applications for the next astronaut class as the organization prepares for its upcoming missions to the moon and Mars. Here is what it takes to be a part of the next generation of space exploration.

NASA Announces Open Application Period for Aspiring Astronauts

NASA announced over the weekend that it is on the lookout for its next class of astronauts. The group said the application process is open through December 3. NASA expects to make the final decision in late 2027.

You have to go back to 2024 to find the last time that NASA opened applications to be a part of this storied program. Over 8,000 people applied during that period, with 10 lucky candidates selected to start the training process. NASA has tapped 370 people to train as astronauts dating back to the 1960s. As of November of 2026, there are 32 active astronauts.

The new crop of astronauts will take part in various training exercises, including studying spacewalking, lunar geology, and how to operate high-tech aircraft. The goal is to teach the astronauts how to live and work in outer space. Those selected in this round are expected to learn how to perform missions near the lunar South Pole and in other areas of the moon.

“For those who apply, becoming a NASA astronaut is more than a career opportunity,” said Scott Tingle, chief astronaut and chair of the Astronaut Selection Board at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Tingle added that “It is a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and play a role in the missions that will shape humanity’s future in space. The next generation of astronaut candidates could help write history while inspiring future scientists, engineers, and explorers.”