NASA announces search for new astronauts

What happened

For the first time in two years, NASA is opening applications for its next astronaut class.

Announcing the call at the Max Power event at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), NASA said this will be one of its most important classes yet, with the new astronauts training for low Earth orbit (LEO), lunar surface operations and future Artemis missions. According to NASA’s website, only 370 people have been selected as NASA astronaut candidates (ASCANs) since the original Mercury 7 were announced in 1959.

This will be the 25th astronaut class selected in that time. NASA announces search for new astronauts by Sawyer Rosenstein November 7, 2026 written by Sawyer Rosenstein November 7, 2026 2 For the first time in two years, NASA is opening applications for its next astronaut class.

The most recent class, NASA’s 24th, was announced in 2025 and consisted of ten new ASCANs. It is not yet known what nickname the incoming class will receive.

Applications are open until 3 December 2026, with the selection expected in late 2027. It also marked the first time that women outnumbered men in a NASA astronaut class.

Each new astronaut group is given a nickname by the previous class. Astronaut Class 23 named the 2025 group the “Platypi”.