
NASA unveiled on Tuesday its search for the next generation of space explorers, with selected candidates possibly embarking on a voyage to the red planet.
Before that, however, a lunar expedition is definitely in the cards.
"NASA astronauts have been venturing into space for over six decades, with continuous habitation since 2000," the agency states on its applicant webpage.
"Now, NASA's Artemis program aims to land the first woman and the next man on the moon. The Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will propel humans deeper into space than ever before, for missions to the moon and eventually Mars."
NASA Mars astronaut eligibility
To be eligible for a lucrative $152,000-per-year astronaut position, candidates must meet specific criteria:
- Be a US citizen
- Possess a master's degree in a STEM field, such as engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics, from an accredited institution
- Accumulate a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience post-degree completion (or 1,000 Pilot-in-Command hours, with at least 850 of those hours in high-performance jet aircraft for pilots). For medical doctors, residency time can count toward experience and must be fulfilled by June 2025
- Successfully pass the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical examination
- Moreover, leadership, teamwork, and communication skills are deemed essential for the role.
The selection process entails inviting promising candidates for interviews at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Approximately half of these candidates receive second interview invitations, from which NASA ultimately selects its new astronaut trainees.
These trainees spend the ensuing two years mastering fundamental astronaut skills like spacewalking, space station operation, piloting T-38 jet planes, and manipulating a robotic arm, according to NASA.
Application date
Prospective applicants have until April 2 to submit their applications.
NASA's recruitment drive coincides with the recent graduation of its latest cohort of astronauts, who have completed two years of basic training. The 2021 class comprises 10 NASA candidates and two candidates from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who have trained alongside their NASA counterparts.
Many of these new recruits could anticipate voyages to the International Space Station, the moon, and potentially even Mars.