NASA is now accepting applications for its astronaut corps, offering U.S. citizens a chance to train for missions that could include living and working on the moon. The agency announced the opportunity on Saturday, according to a statement from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Isaacman said in the statement that those selected would not only test spacecraft but also live and work on a future moon base. "Those missions will demand technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork, and courage," Isaacman said in the statement. "NASA's astronaut corps has always called on remarkable Americans willing to take on extraordinary challenges in service to the nation."
The competition is intense. NASA currently has 32 active astronauts, and since missions began in the 1960s, the agency has selected 370 people to train as astronauts. For the last astronaut class, more than 8,000 applicants vied for just 10 spots.
To apply, candidates must be U.S. citizens, though there is no official age restriction. A master's degree in a STEM field such as engineering or math is required. In a recent change, nursing degrees now qualify. "Nursing degrees are now included in the STEM definition," Anna Schneider, NASA spokesperson, told NPR on Sunday. "Master's-level nursing degrees now meet the minimum educational requirement, whereas nursing degrees were previously excluded."
Applicants also need at least three years of related professional experience after earning their degree. Alternatively, NASA will consider those in a STEM PhD program, doctors, or pilots with extensive flight experience.
Those chosen will undergo two years of training to prepare for critical and difficult missions, including landing near the moon's South Pole. NASA aims to return humans to the moon in 2028, which would be the first time since 1972.
Applications will be accepted through Dec. 3. The starting salary is $164,395.
