NASA Opens Astronaut Recruitment to Expand Lunar Program
Applications close December 3 for a class that will begin training in 2028, ahead of the planned return to the Moon.
By Aiko Petrov ·
NASA has opened applications for a new class of astronauts to support its Artemis program. The agency is seeking candidates who will help build a permanent presence on the Moon. This recruitment drive marks the first new call for astronauts since the previous cycle ended two years ago.
Space officials announced the opening of the application window on Saturday. The announcement took place during an air show at the Kennedy Space Center. The event aimed to promote lunar exploration and advancements in aviation technology.
In the last recruitment cycle, more than 8,000 people applied. NASA selected 10 astronauts in September 2025. The agency currently has 32 active astronauts. It needs more personnel to expand human presence beyond low Earth orbit.
Randy Bresnik, commander of the Artemis III mission, said the agency has more work than its current roster can cover. He urged potential candidates not to wait to apply. Bresnik noted that the agency expects to have people on the Moon by the time new trainees finish their preparation.
Prospective candidates have until December 3 to submit their applications. NASA plans to make final selections by the end of 2027. New candidates will begin training in early 2028. This is the same year NASA intends to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years.
The next major mission involves a crew launching next summer to practice docking procedures near Earth. They will test connections with two lunar landing modules. One module is built by SpaceX, and the other by Blue Origin. This rehearsal serves as a dry run for the Artemis IV mission scheduled for the following year.
Frank Rubio, a member of the Artemis III crew, advised applicants to prepare for a long wait. He holds the U.S. record for 371 consecutive days in space. Candidates must be U.S. citizens with university degrees and professional experience. The mandatory training lasts two years, and additional years may pass before a candidate flies.
