When a lot of us were kids, when we were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, we had the same answer: an astronaut. For some of us, that dream may be about to become a reality: NASA is taking applications for its next group of astronauts, and are inviting the public to apply.

The requirements for selection are of course quite high. According to NASA:

1. Be a U.S. citizen
2. Have a master’s degree* in a STEM field, including engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics, from an accredited institution.
3. Have 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) For medical doctors, time in residency can count towards experience and must be completed by June 2025.
4. Be able to successfully complete the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical.

*The master’s degree requirement can also be met by:
– Two years of work towards a doctoral program in a related science, technology, engineering, or math field.
– Completed Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, or related medical degree
– Completion (or current enrollment that will result in completion by June 2025) of a nationally recognized test pilot school program.

In addition, they are looking for candidates with a proven track record of “leadership, teamwork and communications.”

NASA adds that “Artemis Generation astronauts will explore and conduct experiments where humans have never been: the lunar South Pole.”

Not bad work, if you can get it. Only 12 people have been to the moon thus far, and this new group of astronauts will join other current astros in job assignments that are quite literally out of this world. And on top of that, experienced astronauts who remain with NASA may well be selected for a US effort to land on Mars at some point in the future.

The application period is March 5 – April 2, 2024, and after that, NASA’s Astronaut Selection Board will review all applications, narrow them down to a smaller group and invite them for in-person interviews to take place in Texas.

NASA also says that potential candidates of any age are allowed to apply: “There are no age restrictions for the program. Astronaut candidates selected in the past have ranged between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average age being 34.” Ostensibly, if you are older than 46, meet the education, experience, leadership and of course physical requirements, you have as good a chance as anyone.

The pay rate is approximately $152,258.00 per year, according to NASA, or about what a typical mid-career manager in a typical Fortune 500 company would earn.

If you’re interested, and you qualify, you can do so here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/779261100