Nasa seeks astronauts to live and work on the moon

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Nov, 15:32 · Archive

Nasa is recruiting astronauts to help build a lunar base and prepare for crewed missions to Mars.

Nasa has opened applications for a new generation of astronauts to support its Artemis programme. The space agency announced the recruitment drive at a Kennedy Space Center air show on Saturday, seeking explorers who could live and work on the moon and help pioneer missions to Mars.

Successful applicants will train to operate on the lunar surface, live and work beyond Earth and undertake missions pushing the boundaries of human exploration. They will join Nasa as it builds a lunar base and prepares for crewed trips to Mars in coming years. Applications are due by 3 December.

Aspiring astronauts must be US citizens and hold a master's degree in a STEM field or possess professional experience including medical training or flying. They must also pass physical tests and assessments of their leadership, teamwork and communication skills. Nasa expects to announce final selections in late 2027, with successful candidates beginning training as the next class of astronaut candidates.

Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman said it was 'an extraordinary time to join Nasa's astronaut corps'. Scott Tingle, chief astronaut at Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston, described the opportunity as 'a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery'.

The last recruitment round in 2024 attracted more than 8,000 applications. Nasa selected 10 astronauts from that pool in September 2025, and they are currently undergoing training. Since the 1960s, Nasa has selected 370 people to train as astronaut candidates. The agency currently has 32 active astronauts.

How it is being reported

• Nasa is recruiting new astronauts to live on MoonNew recruits could be the first in history to live on a lunar base, and lay the foundations for crewed trips to MarsIndependent Tech · 9 Nov, 15:27
• NASA is looking for astronauts to live and work on the MoonNASA needs more recruits in order to return to the moon after being gone more than half a century.NPR · 8 Nov, 23:36
• Nasa seeks next generation of astronauts to live and work on the moonApplications due on 3 December for new generation of explorers who can ‘shape humanity’s future in space’ Nasa has launched a callout for a new generation of astronauts as it searches for explorers who could live and work on the moon. Opening applications for the latest expansion of its Artemis program , the US agency said successful candidates would help “shape humanity’s future in space” as it builds a base on the moon and plans the first crewed missions to Mars. Continue reading...The Guardian · 8 Nov, 16:54

In this story: Nasa · Artemis · Moon · Mars · Kennedy Space Center · Jared Isaacman · Scott Tingle

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