NASA says it'll take applications for its next class of astronauts between March 2 and 31 — the first step in what's expected to be a yearlong selection process.
To start the process, would-be spacefliers should click into USAJobs.com next month. For the first time in NASA history, applicants will be required to fill out a detailed online assessment that could take as long as two hours to complete.
<p><span></span>The basic requirements, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/explorers-wanted-nasa-to-hire-more-artemis-generation-astronauts" target="_blank">laid out in today's announcement</a>, include U.S. citizenship and a minimum level of advanced STEM training or test-pilot experience. NASA expects to select the new class of astronaut candidates in mid-2021, which just about the time set for NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-1" target="_blank">uncrewed Artemis 1 mission</a> beyond the moon and back.</p><p><span></span>The next class of astronauts will be in on NASA's campaign to <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/tag/artemis/" target="_blank">put astronauts on the moon by as early as 2024</a> in preparation for future trips to Mars. The last time NASA <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/be-an-astronaut-nasa-accepting-applications-for-future-explorers" target="_blank">opened up an astronaut recruiting round</a>, in late 2015, <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2016/18300-apply-for-astronaut-jobs-face-1-in-2000-chance-of-being-picked/" target="_blank">more than 18,300 people applied</a> for what turned out to be <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2017/godspeed-class-2017-nasa-introduces-dozen-new-astronauts-vice-presidents-blessing/" target="_blank">a dozen spots</a>.</p><p><em>This story originally appeared on GeekWire. Love space and science? <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/space-newsletter/" target="_blank">Sign up for GeekWire's Space & Science email newsletter</a>.</em></p>
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