ASTRONAUTS: Looking for adventure?

NASA is now accepting applications for future astronauts for the first time in four years. This round of explorers will have a chance to be the first humans to go to the moon in nearly 50 years.

NASA is working to send people back to the moon by 2024.

“The call for more astronauts comes at a time when the agency is preparing to send the first woman and next man to the Moon with the Artemis program,” the agency reports. “Exploring the Moon during this decade will help prepare humanity for its next giant leap — sending astronauts to Mars.”

Learn more about the Artemis program at https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/

You have until 11:59 p.m. EDT March 31 to send in your application.

“Becoming an astronaut is no easy task, because being an astronaut is no easy task,” said Steve Koerner, NASA’s director of flight operations and chair of the Astronaut Selection Board at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“Those who apply will likely be competing against thousands who have dreamed of and worked toward going to space for as long as they can remember,” Koerner said. “But somewhere among those applicants are our next astronauts, and we look forward to meeting you.”

When NASA last put out a call for astronauts in 2015, 11 of the 18,300 applicants became astronauts. There are now 48 astronauts in the active astronaut corps.

So, what does it take to become one of the few?

The basic requirements are U.S. citizenship and a master’s degree in a STEM field. The educational requirement can also be met by two years of work toward a Ph.D. in a STEM program, a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree or completion of a test pilot school program paired with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.

NASA anticipates it will choose new astronaut candidates in mid-2021.

View the job announcement at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/561186900 or http://www.nasa.gov/astronauts