PSA: NASA is seeking astronaut candidates for its next mission
Is your dream job flying out into outer space and making new discoveries? Then here's your chance to make it a reality as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is looking for astronauts for its next mission to the moon.
On its website, the US government agency announced that they are preparing to land the first woman and the next man on the moon for its so-called "Artemis" program.
"The Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will carry humans farther into space than they have gone before—for missions to the Moon and eventually to Mars," NASA stated.
To qualify as a NASA astronaut, the agency detailed that applicants must be a US citizen and have a master’s degree in a STEM field, including engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics from an accredited institution.
Alternatively, the degree requirement can also be met by two years of work towards a doctoral program in a related science, technology, engineering, or math field, a completed Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, or related medical degree, or completion of a nationally recognized test pilot school program.
Other requirements include a minimum of three years of related professional experience obtained after degree completion (or 1,000 Pilot-in-Command hours with at least 850 of those hours in high-performance jet aircraft for pilots), as well as completion of the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical.
NASA is also eyeing applicants who have "skills in leadership, teamwork and communications."
"Artemis Generation astronauts will explore and conduct experiments where humans have never been: the lunar South Pole," the agency stated.
To apply, you must first create a profile on the USAJOBS website. Afterward, you must build and attach a resume with five references using the USAJOBS resume builder.
You will then need to answer the questions presented in the online application and attach all necessary supporting documentation, such as transcripts from an accredited university where applicable degrees were earned.
There are no age restrictions for the program. For the annual salary, NASA stated that astronauts are paid $152,258 (P8.5 million) per year, but that this is only an approximation of the 2024 pay schedules. This rate will be adjusted to reflect any increase in 2025.
The application will be open until April 16 only.