NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class, Eyes Moon and Mars Missions

The latest class of astronauts, 'The Flies,' graduates, paving the way for new recruits to join NASA's ambitious space exploration plans.

NASA has officially opened applications for its next class of astronauts, aiming to recruit individuals for missions to the International Space Station, the Moon, and potentially Mars.
The new class, nicknamed 'The Flies,' consists of ten Americans and two Emiratis, selected from over 12,000 applicants, who have completed two years of rigorous training.
Applicants for the new astronaut class must be U.S. citizens with a graduate degree in a STEM field, among other qualifications, and the application deadline is set for April 2.
NASA's astronaut selection process includes interviews at the Johnson Space Center, with successful candidates undergoing two years of basic training in various astronaut skills.
The Artemis program continues to progress, with plans for crewed missions to the Moon and eventually Mars, as NASA seeks to expand humanity's reach into the solar system.