Astronaut Candidate

Summary

Astronaut candidates will spend approximately two years training on the basic skills required to be an astronaut - from spacewalking and robotics to leadership and teamwork skills. Upon completing training, they will join the active astronaut corps and become eligible for spaceflight assignment. Until assigned a spaceflight, they will have responsibilities within the astronaut office ranging from supporting their fellow astronauts in space to advising on the development of new spacecraft.

Duties

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Major duties of the astronaut position include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct operations in space, including Low Earth Orbit, the Moon, and beyond, and develop and test future spacecraft and habitats.
• Perform extravehicular activities (EVA) around spacecraft, space stations, and on planetary surfaces, use the robotic remote manipulator system, and participate in the development and testing of future extravehicular and robotic activities.
• Conduct research experiments (including those on animals), operate as a safe member of an aircraft/spacecraft crew (including flight planning and communications), and perform spacecraft maintenance activities.
• Conduct ground support tasks for astronaut training spaceflight missions, such as CapCom (capsule communicator) in the Mission Control Center.
• Participate in and be evaluated during mission simulations that prepare yourself and other astronauts to work as a well-coordinated team with the flight controllers in the Mission Control Center to conduct operations in the dynamic environment of space.
• Support development and operation of human spaceflight programs or other agency efforts as directed.
• Advocate for the interests and safety of all astronauts as part of decision-making teams considering current and future spacecraft designs, tests, and operations.
• Serve as the public face of NASA, providing appearances across the country and internationally, and sharing NASA's discoveries and goals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Must meet all qualification/education and experience requirements by the closing date of the announcement. See announcement for more details on Test Pilot School completion
• Applicants may only select ONE discipline group to apply under (See "Qualifications" section below)
• Selectees will be designated Astronaut Candidates and will undergo a training and evaluation period lasting approximately two years
• Applicants must submit ALL STEM related transcripts. See announcement for more details on Basic Education Requirements.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on NASA Center requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on NASA Center requirements.
• See announcement for additional information on employment conditions

Qualifications

To qualify, applicants must meet BOTH the Basic Education and Specialized Experience requirements outlined below. Note: All STEM transcripts (official or unofficial) must be submitted. Foreign education requires proof of equivalency.

BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

All applicants must meet at least ONE of the Basic Education requirements to be considered for this position. Qualifying international Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education is allowed as long as you submit proof of appropriate foreign education equivalency (see below for foreign education details).

To verify the education requirement, you must submit copies of official or non-official STEM related transcripts with your application showing a related STEM major field and date conferred, or Test Pilot School (TPS) certification/enrollment from a nationally or internationally recognized program. While a bachelor's degree (or less) is not qualifying alone, you must submit ALL STEM related transcripts with your application.

The following degree fields, while related to engineering and the sciences, are NOT considered qualifying:

• Degrees in Technology (Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc.)
• Degrees in Psychology (Exceptions: Clinical Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Experimental Psychology, ARE qualifying)
• Degrees in Exercise Physiology or similar fields
• Degrees in Social Sciences (Geography, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.)
• Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields

You must meet the Basic Education Requirement through ONE of the methods described below:

1. Master's Degree: You must have completed a master's degree (or foreign equivalent) in an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. (You must submit copies of official or non-official STEM related transcripts with your application showing major field and date degree was conferred.)
2. Doctoral Coursework: You must have completed at least two academic years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) in an accredited Ph.D. or related doctoral degree program (or foreign equivalent) with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. (You must submit copies of official or non-official STEM related transcripts with your application showing major field of study and completed credit hours.)
3. Medical Degree: You must have completed a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Physician Assistant (PA), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), or related medical degree (or foreign equivalent) from an accredited college or university. (You must submit copies of official or non-official STEM related transcripts with your application showing date degree conferred.)
4. Test Pilot School (TPS): You must have completed or be currently enrolled in a TPS program (nationally or internationally recognized) and will have completed this program by July 2027 (Must submit proof of completion or enrollment). If TPS is your only advanced technical degree, you must have also completed a bachelor's degree or higher (or foreign equivalent) at an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. (You must submit copies of official or non-official STEM related transcripts with your application showing major field and date degree conferred)

SUB-DISCIPLINE SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

When you apply, you must select the discipline you best qualify for based on your most relevant work experience that shows proof of meeting the requirements for that sub-discipline.

General Experience Rule: Unless applying as a Pilot, applicants need a minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible professional experience gained after completing their qualifying degree (experience gained after a bachelor's degree counts, provided they eventually earned the required higher degree). K-12 teaching experience in a related technical field is acceptable if you also meet the initial basic education requirement.

Sub Discipline Options:

A. Pilot: Applicants must meet ONE of the following flight-hour requirements based on the aircraft type listed. Initial flight training hours will not be counted. Time controlling unmanned aircraft system does not count toward pilot flight time.(Requires submission of the Pilot Qualifications Form).

• High-Performance Jet: 750 hours of Pilot-In-Command (PIC) time.
• Other Fixed Wing Aircraft:1500 total hours, 750 of which must be of which must be Pilot-In-Command (PIC) time.
• Rotary Wing Aircraft: 1000 hours total, 300 of which must be Pilot-In-Command (PIC) time.

B. Flight Test: Requires TPS completion/enrollment (finished by July 2027) PLUS 3 years of related flight test experience. This sub-discipline can be applied for those with aviation experience outside of those listed in the Pilot sub-discipline (e.g., flight test engineers, navigators, weapons systems officers) (Requires submission of the Pilot Qualifications Form). (Must be demonstrated in resume/CV)

C. Medical- to qualify, you must:

• Have at least 3 years of professional experience after degree completion in a professional medical field of study. Time in residency can count towards experience and must be completed by July 2027. You must certify that this experience was gained in a field related to this sub-discipline and be able to provide additional certification upon request. (Must be demonstrated in resume/CV)

D. Biological and Medical Science - to qualify, you must:

• Have at least 3 years of professional experience after degree completion in a field related to Biological and Medical Sciences. You must certify that this experience was gained in a field related to this sub-discipline and be able to provide additional certification upon request. (Must be demonstrated in resume/CV)

E. Physical Science - to qualify, you must:

• Have at least 3 years of professional experience after degree completion in a field related to Physical Science. You must certify that this experience was gained in a field related to this sub-discipline and be able to provide additional certification upon request. (Must be demonstrated in resume/CV)

F. Engineering - to qualify, you must:

• Have at least 3 years of professional experience after degree completion in a field related to Engineering. You must certify that this experience was gained in a field related to this sub-discipline and be able to provide additional certification upon request. (Must be demonstrated in resume/CV)

G. Operations - to qualify, you must:

• Have at least 3 years of professional experience after degree completion in a field related to Operations. This experience must be in high-consequence environments that require real-time decision making and intensive teamwork, where errors carry irreversible and physical risk to personnel, missions, or vehicles. Examples include flight test, saturation or mixed-gas deep sea or cave diving, orbital or launch mission control, nuclear submarine operations, rescue operations, or special operations with direct action (this is not an exhaustive list). Note: Applicants with test experience who have not attended TPS should apply under this category. You must certify that this experience was gained in a field related to this sub-discipline and be able to provide additional certification upon request. (Must be demonstrated in resume/CV)

Education

Education must be attained at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to satisfy qualifications. You MUST provide STEM related transcripts to support your educational claims. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. Note: If you are selected for this position, an official STEM related transcript will be required, prior to your first day. You must meet all qualification requirements by 12/03/2026, the closing date of this announcement, with Test Pilot School completion by July 2027, if applicable.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs, and that such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or that full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications. Translated STEM related transcripts (official or unofficial) are required.

Additional information

Conditions of Employment & Additional Screening Requirements

Selectees must pass and maintain all mandatory screening standards and be willing to accept the following rigorous demands of the position:

Medical & Security Clearances

• Medical & Psychiatric: Must pass thorough initial and periodic examinations to ensure no conditions exist that would hazard flight safety, crew coordination, or mission execution.
• Vision Standards: Distant and near visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye. (Glasses and refractive surgeries like PRK/LASIK are allowed).
• Background & Drug Screening: Must pass a thorough background security investigation and a pre-employment drug screen. Subject to random drug testing throughout their career.

Physical & Environmental Demands

• Arduous Exertion: Must be willing to perform moderate to arduous physical activities, including heavy lifting, crouching, crawling, and exposure to inclement weather. Must pass an Agency Physical Fitness Test prior to employment and maintain fitness standards.
• Water Survival & Simulation: Must pass a swimming test in the first month. Willingness to spend extended time underwater simulating microgravity (up to 2 hours/day SCUBA diving or up to 7 hours/day in a pressurized spacesuit/EMU).
• Hazardous & Confined Spaces: Must be willing to work in dangerous, life-threatening situations and live/work in remote, isolated, small, or confined spaces for prolonged periods.

Training & Flight Operations

• Candidate Program Graduation: Must successfully complete a ~2-year training program including: spacecraft systems, Extravehicular Activity (EVA), robotics, foreign languages, commerci