By Joseph | Khemetic Nation News Network | November 12, 2026
NASA is recruiting its next astronaut candidate class, with U.S. citizen applications due by December 3, 2026.
A new application window
NASA announced November 7 that applications are open for its next astronaut candidate class. Qualified United States citizens must complete their application materials by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 3, 2026. The agency expects to make final selections in late 2027 before candidates begin training.
Who may qualify
NASA lists advanced qualifications in STEM and related professional fields, including engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, mathematics and medicine, with several pathways to satisfy its degree requirement. Candidates generally also need significant professional experience or qualifying flight time. They must pass the agency’s long-duration spaceflight medical requirements and demonstrate teamwork and sound judgment.
Why NASA is recruiting now
Future crews may support NASA’s lunar exploration plans, space-station operations, and preparations for missions farther from Earth. The agency selected ten astronaut candidates in 2025 from over 8,000 applications. NASA’s official vacancy and application pages, rather than social media recruitment claims, should be used to confirm complete eligibility rules. The featured image is an actual archival astronaut photograph, not a picture of newly selected candidates.
Sources: Primary official scientific or government announcement. Photo credits and licenses are preserved in the WordPress media library. This report distinguishes archival photographs from new findings or announcements.
