NASA opens astronaut applications for future Moon and Mars missions

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 10, 2026

Photo courtesy: CBS News

NASA has opened applications for its next astronaut candidate class as the agency prepares for future missions to the Moon and eventually Mars.

The U.S. space agency announced the recruitment on Saturday, November 7. Qualified applicants have until December 3, 2026, to submit their applications.

The initiative supports NASA’s plans to return humans to the Moon, establish a long-term presence on the lunar surface and develop technologies for future crewed missions to Mars.

However, the opportunity is open only to United States citizens who meet the agency’s education, experience and medical requirements.

Who can apply to become a NASA astronaut?

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and generally hold a master’s degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field.

Eligible fields include engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science and mathematics.

NASA also accepts certain alternative qualifications.

These include at least two years of doctoral studies in a qualifying STEM field or an eligible professional medical degree.

Applicants may also qualify through a recognized test pilot school program, subject to additional requirements.

Candidates generally need at least three years of relevant professional experience after completing their qualifying degree.

Pilots may meet the experience requirement through specified flight hours. Meanwhile, eligible medical residency training may count toward the requirement for physicians.

All applicants must pass NASA’s long-duration astronaut flight physical.

The agency also looks for strong leadership, teamwork and communication skills.

What happens after the application deadline?

NASA will review applications before inviting selected candidates to interviews and assessments at its Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

The agency expects to announce its next astronaut candidate class in late 2027.

Successful applicants will then begin nearly two years of training before becoming eligible for future flight assignments.

Training includes spacecraft operations, robotics, spacewalking and survival skills.

Candidates will also study lunar geology, space medicine and other subjects needed for human spaceflight.

However, completing astronaut training does not guarantee an assignment to a Moon or Mars mission.

NASA prepares for a new era of exploration

The recruitment comes as NASA expands its Artemis program and plans a sustained human presence on the Moon.

Future astronauts could support lunar exploration, scientific research and the development of systems needed for longer missions beyond Earth.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the next astronaut class could contribute to missions involving the Moon and preparations for human exploration of Mars.

The agency also hopes to develop a Moon Base that would support longer stays on the lunar surface.

These efforts are intended to advance scientific research while testing technologies for future deep-space missions.

Thousands compete for limited astronaut positions

Becoming a NASA astronaut remains highly competitive.

The agency selected just 10 astronaut candidates in 2025 from more than 8,000 applications.

Those candidates are currently completing nearly two years of training.

Since selecting its first seven astronauts in 1959, NASA has recruited 370 astronaut candidates.

The agency’s latest recruitment will build on that history as it prepares for additional human spaceflight missions.

What Filipino applicants need to know

Filipino citizens interested in becoming NASA astronauts must first meet the agency’s U.S. citizenship requirement.

Filipino nationality or ancestry does not prevent someone from applying. However, applicants must hold U.S. citizenship and satisfy all other qualifications.

A Philippine citizen without U.S. citizenship is not eligible for this recruitment.

NASA has set the application deadline for Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Interested applicants can review the complete eligibility requirements and submit their applications through NASA’s official astronaut recruitment website.