Ever fancied stepping foot on the moon? NASA is now hunting for fresh faces to join its astronaut corps. Those selected will test spacecraft and even live and work on the lunar surface at an upcoming base, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced on Saturday.
Currently, NASA has only 32 active astronauts. Since missions kicked off in the 1960s, the agency has picked just 370 people for training. Competition is fierce, as only 10 candidates made the cut out of more than 8,000 applicants during the last intake.
Who can apply?
Any U.S. citizen can try their luck, and there is no official age limit. However, hopefuls must hold a master's degree in a STEM-related subject like engineering or math, plus at least three years of related work experience after graduating.
In a fresh update, master's-level nursing degrees now count as STEM. NASA will also look at candidates enrolled in a STEM PhD program, medical doctors, or pilots who have plenty of flight hours under their belt.
“Nursing degrees are now included in the STEM definition. Master's-level nursing degrees now meet the minimum educational requirement, whereas nursing degrees were previously excluded.”Anna Schneider
Two-year grind and big plans
Those picked will face two years of intense training. They will get ready for tough operations, including landing near the moon's South Pole.
NASA aims to send humans back to the moon in 2028 for the first time since 1972, teaming up with private firms like Blue Origin and SpaceX. Speaking at a Nov. 7 press briefing regarding Artemis III, Isaacman mentioned he is very confident that the mission will lift off in 2027.
What happens next
Applications will be accepted through Dec. 3, while NASA works with Blue Origin and SpaceX ahead of Artemis III launching in 2027 and returning humans to the moon in 2028.
