NASA Launches New Recruitment Drive for Moon and Mars Exploration Missions

NASA has officially opened applications for a new class of astronauts to support lunar exploration and prepare for future human missions to Mars. The deadline for applications is December 3rd, with the final selection scheduled to be announced in late 2027. Selected candidates will participate in the Artemis program, contributing to the development of technologies for sustainable lunar bases. Eligibility criteria include American citizenship and a master's degree in a STEM field, along with at least three years of relevant professional experience or equivalent doctoral studies. Pilots must also meet specific flight-hour requirements. The agency aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2028, in collaboration with SpaceX and Blue Origin.