NASA has officially opened the application process for its 25th astronaut class, marking the first recruitment drive in two years. The announcement was made at the Kennedy Space Center during the Max Power event. Candidates selected for this cohort will undergo training for operations in low Earth orbit, lunar surface missions, and future Artemis initiatives.
The application window remains open until 3 December 2026, with the final selection process expected to conclude in late 2027. Since the inception of the program in 1959, NASA has selected 370 astronaut candidates. The previous group, the 24th class, was announced in 2025 and included ten individuals, representing the first time women outnumbered men in a class.
To qualify, applicants must be United States citizens and possess a master’s degree in a STEM field, accompanied by at least three years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates may substitute the degree requirement with two years of doctoral work, a medical degree, or completion of a test pilot program. Pilots require 1,000 hours of command time, including 850 hours in high-performance jets.
All prospective candidates are required to pass a physical examination for long-duration spaceflight. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has indicated that these new recruits will be essential for staffing the International Space Station, potential commercial space stations, and upcoming lunar base operations. The agency continues to evaluate the operational lifespan of the ISS beyond 2030.
