Wire reporting: (AP, via WSVN 7)

NASA is accepting applications through Dec. 3, 2026, for a new astronaut class as the agency plans more Artemis flights, a lunar base and later Mars missions^3,6.

CBS News reported the USAJOBS listing shows few vacancies, pay of $164,395 a year and a requirement to relocate to Johnson Space Center in Houston³. The Associated Press said officials announced the call Saturday at a Kennedy Space Center air show⁶.

The last application window two years ago drew more than 8,000 applicants, with 10 selected in September 2025⁶. AP said NASA has 32 active astronauts and needs more people as work expands beyond low Earth orbit⁶. Artemis II flew four astronauts around the moon in April^3,6.

Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement that those chosen could walk on the moon, live at a moon base and help prepare systems for Mars crews³. "Those missions will demand technical excellence, sound judgment, teamwork and courage," Isaacman said³.

CBS, citing the job posting, said applicants must be U.S. citizens who meet one of several education paths: a master's degree in a qualifying STEM field; two academic years of qualifying doctoral work; a qualifying medical degree; or completion of a recognized test-pilot school by July 2027³. Three years of related professional experience after the degree or pilot training is also required, with separate hour minimums for jet, other fixed-wing and rotary-wing pilots³.

Candidates must pass medical and psychiatric exams, a background check and drug screening, have vision correctable to 20/20 in each eye, pass a swimming test and be able to do moderate to arduous physical work³. The posting also says applicants must be willing to deploy to space for 12 months or longer³.

AP reported NASA expects a final selection by late 2027, with training starting by early 2028, the year the agency intends to return astronauts to the lunar surface⁶. It described this as NASA's 25th astronaut class since 1959⁶. Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik told AP the agency has more work than astronauts; Frank Rubio told AP most of the job is not flying to the moon⁶.

ABC News aired a recruitment video presenting the same lunar-base and possible Mars framing⁴. The Guardian and NPR also reported the open call and Dec. 3 deadline^1,2. Local stations including WSVN, KFOR and KTLA carried the AP account^5,7,8.

How many people NASA will hire from this window, and who will later fly Artemis or Mars missions, has not been specified beyond "few vacancies" on USAJOBS³.