NASA is hiring astronauts again, and this time the job description includes living and working on the Moon. The agency opened applications for its next astronaut class over the weekend, announcing the call during an air show at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 3, 2026.

Here is what NASA is looking for, based on its official announcement and reporting from The Guardian.

A job tied to the Moon Base

This recruiting round is closely linked to NASA’s plans to return Americans to the Moon and build a long-term presence there. “The people we select could walk on the Moon, live and work at the Moon Base, and help pioneer the systems and operations that will ultimately carry crews to Mars,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said.

The Guardian notes that NASA leaders have laid out ambitions to return Americans to the lunar surface in 2028, with both SpaceX and Blue Origin planning to support a crewed landing.

Who can apply

The basic requirements are strict but clear. Applicants must:

  • Be U.S. citizens.
  • Hold a master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering or math field, or have qualifying alternatives such as medical credentials, test pilot training, or two years of work toward a relevant doctorate.
  • Have at least three years of related professional experience.

Pilots have their own route. According to The Guardian, they need either 750 hours as pilot in command of a high-performance jet, 1,500 total hours in other fixed-wing aircraft, or 1,000 hours in rotary-wing aircraft.

How competitive is it?

Very. The last time NASA opened applications, in 2024, more than 8,000 people applied and the agency ultimately selected 10 new astronauts in September 2025. Since the 1960s, NASA has picked 370 people to train as astronaut candidates, and the agency currently has 32 active astronauts.

What happens after you apply

NASA expects to make its final selection in late 2027, with the new candidates starting training afterward. That training typically lasts around two years and covers spacewalking, robotics, spacecraft systems, survival skills and more before candidates are eligible for flight assignments.

Chief astronaut Scott Tingle, who chairs the selection board, described the role as more than a job. “It is a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery,” he said.

Tips if you are thinking about applying

NASA’s careers pages are the only official place to apply, so be wary of any third-party site or service claiming to speed up the process. Read the full requirements carefully, gather proof of your degree and experience early, and leave plenty of time before the December 3 deadline, since government application systems can be slow near the cutoff.

Why this round feels different

For decades, new astronauts mostly trained for missions to low Earth orbit, especially the International Space Station. This class is being recruited with the Moon as a realistic destination. That means skills in geology, surface operations, long-duration living and working far from Earth could matter more than ever.

Not an astronaut? You can still follow along

Even if you do not meet the requirements, this is a good moment to watch the lunar program closely. NASA’s recent Moon Base contracts, rover plans and landing timelines all point to a busy few years, and the people chosen from this class could be among those who carry it out.

The wrap

NASA is looking for its next explorers, and the window is short: just under four weeks. If you have the background and the dream, December 3 is the date to circle. For everyone else, it is a reminder that the next generation of Moon walkers is being chosen right now.

Image: Artemis I SLS with Full Moon (KSC-20220614-PH-CSH01 0005) by Cory Huston via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain Mark 1.0