How to apply for NASA’s 2026 astronaut-candidate opening

NASA’s Astronaut Candidate vacancy is open to U.S. citizens through December 3, 2026. The job is based at Johnson Space Center in Houston, and the complete application must arrive by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline. Review the vacancy and apply through USAJOBS.

Check the location and basic qualifications

This is an on-site federal job, not a remote position. NASA lists travel of 76% or greater. Applicants must qualify through an education route and meet the specialized-experience requirements for one chosen discipline. You do not have to be a pilot: the vacancy also lists Flight Test, Medical, Biological and Medical Science, Physical Science, Engineering, and Operations disciplines.

The education routes include a qualifying master’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics; at least two academic years of relevant doctoral study; specified medical or nursing credentials; or an eligible test-pilot-school route. Applicants using the test-pilot-school route must complete the program by July 2027. Foreign degrees require equivalency documentation.

For most disciplines, the experience requirement is at least three years of progressively responsible professional work after the qualifying degree. The Pilot category uses aircraft-specific flight-hour thresholds instead. Flight time used to meet those thresholds must meet the vacancy’s rules; initial flight-training hours and unmanned-aircraft control time do not count as specified in the notice.

A pilot-in-command (PIC) hour is time logged as the pilot responsible for the aircraft. In the fixed-wing and rotary-wing thresholds, PIC hours are part of the stated total, not additional hours on top of it.

Assemble and submit the application

Prepare the required materials before submitting:

1. Build a long-form résumé or CV. Include dates for relevant experience and hours worked per week so NASA can assess your work history against the vacancy’s criteria.
2. Gather all relevant STEM transcripts. If you rely on foreign education, include the required equivalency documentation.
3. Complete the online application and questionnaire. The questionnaire requests five references. Recommendation letters are not required, and NASA says not to upload unsolicited documents.
4. Add the Pilot Qualifications Form if you have flight experience. It applies to applicants with flight experience.
5. Submit the complete package by December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The deadline applies to the application package; a later assessment link has its own stated timing.

Match your application to one discipline’s requirements, and treat the Pilot flight-hour thresholds as a separate qualification route.

Plan for a possible assessment after submission

Some applicants may be asked to complete USA Hire assessments after submitting the application. NASA advises setting aside at least 2.5 hours. If an assessment link arrives after the application window closes, complete that assessment within 48 hours of receiving the link.

Know what the job offers and what it does not promise

The vacancy lists approximate annual pay of $164,395 based on 2026 pay schedules; the amount may be adjusted for 2027/8 pay increases. Selected candidates are expected to complete about two years of training. The appointment begins as a 30-month time-limited appointment, with a permanent appointment after successful completion of training.

Training makes candidates eligible for a flight assignment, but NASA does not guarantee a flight and says the wait time is unknown. NASA anticipates announcing a class in Fall 2027, with selected candidates expected to report to Johnson Space Center in Winter 2027/8.