NASA is looking for new astronauts to help grow its Artemis program

NASA is opening applications for a new class of astronauts to support the Artemis program, with officials announcing the call Saturday at a Kennedy Space Center air show tied to lunar exploration updates. NASA’s last recruitment drive was two years ago, when more than 8,000 applied and 10 were selected for the final cut in September 2025. With 32 active astronauts, the agency says it needs more recruits as it plans to expand beyond low-Earth orbit. Applicants have until Dec. 3 to apply, with final selection expected by late 2027 and training starting in early 2028. The new class will help with Artemis III and future Artemis IV lunar landings.