NASA astronaut applications open till December 3 for Moon Base class
By Karan BansalTech Startups Correspondent, Peepals Tech
File photo: NASA (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons
NASA opened applications on 7 November 2026 for its next astronaut class, aimed at the Moon Base and Mars; US citizens with STEM degrees can apply until 3 December.
What Happened
NASA opened applications for its next class of astronauts on 7 November 2026, saying the new recruits will join as the United States returns to the Moon, builds a Moon Base and prepares for the first crewed missions to Mars. Applications close on Thursday, 3 December 2026, at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern time. Applicants must be US citizens with a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) background, and NASA expects to announce its final selection in late 2027.
Key Facts
- Applications are open until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, 3 December 2026.
- Applicants must be US citizens and pass NASA's long-duration astronaut flight physical.
- The usual route needs a master's degree in a STEM field plus at least three years of related professional experience after the degree.
- Two years of doctoral study in a related technical field can count towards the degree requirement, and medical degree holders may also apply, reports of the requirements say.
- Pilots can instead qualify with at least 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command, including 850 hours in high-performance jets.
- NASA's last call, in 2024, drew more than 8,000 applicants; 10 were selected.
- NASA has 32 active astronauts and has picked 370 astronaut candidates since the 1960s.
Why It Matters
This is the first NASA astronaut class whose job description centres on living and working on the Moon. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said those selected could walk on the Moon and help develop the systems that will later carry crews to Mars. The recruits will train for work in low Earth orbit, on the lunar surface and on Artemis missions, NASA's programme to return people to the Moon. Some reports describe the group as NASA's 25th astronaut class since the Mercury Seven were chosen in 1959.
Beyond the citizenship rule, NASA looks for leadership, teamwork and communication skills, because astronauts spend long periods in small crews far from help.
For Indian readers, the call is open only to US citizens, so Indian nationals cannot apply. It is still relevant to Indian-origin US citizens and to students in India planning careers in space. The requirements, a strong STEM degree, years of hands-on work and physical fitness, mirror what space agencies look for in astronaut candidates, and the Moon Base plans mean more jobs for engineers, scientists and doctors in the space industry worldwide.
Peepals calculation: In the 2024 round, 10 people were picked from more than 8,000 applicants, so at most about one in 800 applicants (0.125%) was selected (10 ÷ 8,000). NASA's 32 active astronauts are less than 9% of the 370 candidates it has chosen since the 1960s (32 ÷ 370 = 8.6%). Our calculation from the reported figures.
| Requirement | What NASA asks for |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | US citizen |
| Education | STEM master's degree (or approved alternatives) |
| Experience | At least three years after the degree, or 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command |
| Medical | Pass NASA's long-duration flight physical |
| Deadline | 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Thursday, 3 December 2026 |
Impact
Short-term: The application window is about three and a half weeks long, from 7 November to 3 December. If interest matches the 2024 round, NASA will again receive thousands of applications.
Long-term: Those selected will be among the first astronauts trained for a sustained presence on the Moon. Their work will shape how NASA builds and runs a Moon Base, and the experience gained is meant to feed into crewed missions to Mars.
Who is affected: US citizens with STEM or medical careers, and military and test pilots; Indian-origin professionals in the United States; students worldwide considering space careers; and companies supplying NASA's Moon programme.
What to watch next: The application deadline of 3 December 2026 and NASA's final selection, expected in late 2027.
Key Takeaway
NASA is recruiting astronauts to help build a Moon Base, with applications from US citizens with STEM backgrounds open until 3 December 2026 and the last round picking 10 people from more than 8,000.
Questions and Answers
What is the last date for NASA astronaut applications in 2026?
Applications close at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern time on Thursday, 3 December 2026.
Can Indian citizens apply to become NASA astronauts?
No. NASA requires applicants to be US citizens, so Indian nationals are not eligible, though Indian-origin US citizens can apply.
What qualifications do NASA astronauts need?
A STEM master's degree with at least three years of related experience, or approved alternatives such as doctoral study, a medical degree, or 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command in jets, plus passing NASA's flight physical.
How many people does NASA select as astronauts?
In its last round, in 2024, NASA chose 10 people from more than 8,000 applicants.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Karan Bansal, Tech Startups CorrespondentCovers Tech Start-ups & Stories and more for Peepals Tech. All stories by Karan Bansal
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Karan Bansal is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
