NASA Opens 25th Astronaut Class to Staff Lunar Base Expansion
The space agency seeks new recruits to support Artemis missions, with final selections expected by late 2027 and training starting in 2028.
By Natalia Costa ·
NASA is accepting applications for a new class of astronauts to support the expansion of its Artemis lunar program. The agency announced the recruitment drive Saturday during an air show at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, an event that also featured demonstrations of aviation and technology.
This is the agency's first call for new space travelers since two years ago. During the previous cycle, more than 8,000 individuals applied, and NASA selected 10 candidates in September 2025. Currently, the agency employs 32 active astronauts. Officials stated that this number is insufficient for the rapid expansion of human presence beyond low-Earth orbit. The Artemis II crew completed a lunar flyby in April, marking the start of the current lunar campaign.
Randy Bresnik, commander of the Artemis III mission, told The Associated Press on Saturday that the workload exceeds the current workforce. He stated that there is far more work to do than there are available astronauts.
Prospective candidates must submit their applications by December 3. NASA plans to finalize the selection process by late 2027. Successful applicants will begin their mandatory two-year training program in early 2028. This timeline aligns with the agency's goal to return humans to the lunar surface, a milestone that has been absent for over 50 years.
Bresnik urged potential applicants not to delay their submissions. He noted that people will be on the moon by the time the new class begins training. He added that the next summer will see his crew launch into orbit to practice docking with lunar landers built by SpaceX and Blue Origin. That mission serves as a rehearsal for Artemis IV, which aims to land two astronauts near the lunar south pole next year.
Frank Rubio, a crew member on Artemis III, emphasized the patience required for the role. He holds the U.S. record for consecutive days in space, having spent 371 days on a single mission. Candidates must be U.S. citizens with college degrees and professional experience. Rubio told the AP that the actual moon flight represents only about 1% of the total experience. The majority of the work involves contributing to the broader mission objectives rather than the launch itself.
This recruitment drive marks NASA's 25th astronaut class since the selection of the Mercury Seven in 1959. The new lunar base will eventually include rovers, robots, structures, and power grids.
