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

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.

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: 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.) 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.) 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.) 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.

How you will be evaluated

Applying to the Astronaut Candidate program is a multi-stage process. Initially, you will be evaluated based on how well you meet the minimum qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your minimum qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume/CV, supporting documents) and your responses to the online application, which assess critical requirements of the astronaut job. Based on your answers to the initial assessment, you may be asked to complete additional online assessments. During subsequent stages of the selection process, you may be asked to complete in-person assessments, simulations, role plays and interviews. Throughout the selection process, you will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate competencies related to the astronaut job such as: Communicate information and ideas via written, oral, and visual media Make informed and sound decisions in challenging situations to accomplish mission goals Sustain motivation, display initiative, and high standards of ethical conduct Relate well to others including those from varied backgrounds and in different situations Work well with others to achieve goals both as a leader and a follower Learn and utilize complex technical information (e.g., troubleshoot, diagnose, analyze, and identify system malfunctions to determine the source and cause of the problem) Additionally, written application materials will be evaluated by subject matter experts using the competencies above, as well as: Applicability and strength of the applicant's educational preparation Relevance and breadth of the applicant's work experience, with a priority on applied experience Strength of the candidate's technical experience in their field of expertise Demonstrated experience working and performing on a team You must complete all required steps in the process to be considered. Intentionally misrepresenting yourself, overstating qualifications on any of the application materials or assessment procedures, cheating or use of SI (Super Intelligence) will result in removal from consideration. In order to be found minimally qualified, we must be able to determine from your application package that you have the required education and specialized experience. Applicants who have qualifying experience performed on a less-than-full-time basis must specify the percentage and length of time spent in performance of such duties. Waivers are not granted for degree or experience requirements. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements by the closing date of the announcement, with Test Pilot School and medical residency completion by July 2027, if applicable. Interviews, medical and psychiatric screening and additional assessments will be required for applicants under final consideration. Selected applicants will be designated astronaut candidates and will undergo a training and evaluation period lasting approximately two years. Selection into the Astronaut Candidate Program does not guarantee selection as an astronaut. Final selection as an astronaut will depend upon satisfactory completion of the training and evaluation period. Graduation from the Astronaut Candidate Program will require successful completion of the following: spacecraft systems training, Extravehicular Activity (EVA) skills training, robotics skills training, aircraft flight readiness training, team skills training, and depending on mission requirements, Russian language training, among others.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package by the closing date of this announcement. Your application packet must include: Long form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) showing relevant experience The standard USAJOBS two-page resume limitation does not apply to this vacancy announcement. Applicants may submit resumes/CVs exceeding two (2) pages; however, candidates are encouraged to provide concise, relevant information that clearly demonstrates experience, qualifications, and accomplishments related to the position. All work experience and accomplishments must include corresponding dates (month/year) to support qualification determinations. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific and list all relevant work experience (even if outside of your chosen discipline group). Please be sure to clearly state the hours worked per week on your resume/CV to verify full-time status (35 or more hours). You must provide five references when requested in the assessment questionnaire during your application (including your most recent supervisor). We request that you carefully select and submit the most relevant references that highlight your qualifications and experience in the best way possible. Letters of recommendation submitted directly by applicants via their application materials are not required as part of the application and will not be reviewed by the selection team. A complete online application, to include online assessment and questionnaire All STEM related transcript(s) from an accredited university where applicable degrees were earned or Test Pilot School completion/enrollment Please attach ALL STEM related transcripts (bachelor's or higher) Please do not attach non-qualifying transcripts or certifications For those with ANY flight experience, please fill out the following form and attach as a supporting document to your application (this is a requirement for those applying under the Pilot and Flight Test sub-disciplines). Pilot Qualifications Form Other supporting documents (submit if applicable to you) Please do not upload copies of diplomas, letters of recommendation or any other unsolicited application material. All documents submitted must not exceed 5MB. For more information on uploading documents, see here. Note: Documents indicating veterans' preference are not being collected at this point. NASA intends to apply veterans' preference among candidates in later stages of this selection process. This is an interdisciplinary position. The position may be established in any one of a variety of federal occupations/series: engineering, science, or mathematics. The specific classification will depend on the qualifications of the selectees. Selected astronaut candidates are placed on 30-month time-limited appointments and upon successful completion of astronaut candidate training, will be placed on permanent appointments.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and questionnaire, and submit the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the online application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 2.5 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use your unique assessment link. For more general information, system requirements, and to request reasonable accommodation assistance regarding the USA Hire Assessments, review the following resources: Here While you may not update your assessment responses after initial submission, you may update your application documents and questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. To update your application, including supporting documents, during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your applicant record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click here. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. All application documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement in order to be considered and have a complete application. Documentation mailed or emailed to the Astronaut Selection Office will not be considered. All previous applicants MUST reapply and complete the entire application process. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13093568 All information is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false answers or omissions of information on application materials or inability to meet the conditions outlined in this announcement may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed. Please read the announcement in its entirety before applying. Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Other 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, commercial space partner technical training, and team skills. Flight Operations: Must participate in flight readiness training, including spending extended time (up to 16 hours/day) piloting/flying various fixed or rotary-wing aircraft and simulating microgravity. (Note: Prior flight experience is not required, but willingness to train is). Schedule & Mission Long-Duration Missions: Must be willing to deploy to space for 12 months or longer, accepting extreme isolation, austere living conditions, and separation from loved ones. No Mission Guarantee: Must accept that mission assignments are based on multiple factors outside NASA's control; wait times are unknown, and a mission assignment is not guaranteed. Rigorous Scheduling Elements: Must explicitly accept the following work conditions: Irregular Hours: Nights, weekends, holidays, shifting sleep cycles, and shifts exceeding 8-9 hours. Leave Restrictions: Personal and family leave may be denied during specific training and operational periods. No Remote Work: Remote work is not permitted during initial and assigned mission training. Extensive Travel: Required to travel globally for long periods to train with international partners (where family members may not always be permitted to join). Public Representation Spokesperson Duties: Must be willing to appear before schools, community groups, politicians, and officials to present information on behalf of NASA and the U.S. space program (even if the information conflicts with their personal opinions or views)

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the online application, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire Assessment system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments may be completed at any time throughout the announcement open period but no later than 48 hours following the close of this announcement. Note: It is to your benefit to apply early to ensure you have adequate time to complete your application and assessments. Currently, the assessment window will close on 12/03/2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Although not anticipated, if the application window is extended, the deadline for completing these assessments would be 48 hours after the new close date at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Your assessment results may be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. Due to the anticipated high number of applicants and the multiple stages in the assessment process, status notifications will be limited throughout the selection process. Please note, requests for feedback will only be provided to those invited to the interview stage. You may check your initial application status by accessing the USAJOBS website and clicking the "Track this Application" link for this announcement. The number of notices each applicant receives may vary. The selection process is estimated to take approximately one (1) year to complete. NASA anticipates announcing a new class of astronauts in the Fall of 2027. Final notification of your status will be sent at that time. Multiple selections may be made under this announcement. It is anticipated that selected candidates will report for duty at the Johnson Space Center in the Winter of 2027/8.