NASA Pays Astronauts $164,395 to Live on the Moon, Agency Says

NASA is paying astronauts a starting salary of $164,395 to live and work on the Moon as applications open for its next generation of explorers.

The U.S. space agency began accepting applications for astronauts who will help build a permanent lunar base and lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars. The application window runs through 11:59 PM EST on December 3, 2026, with NASA planning to select its new class of space-farers in late 2027.

The space agency is spending about $93 billion to establish a permanent presence on the Moon. Isaacman said in March that NASA is committed to returning to the Moon before the end of President Trump’s term and establishing an enduring presence.

The agency has 32 active astronauts in its corps.

“This is an extraordinary time to join NASA’s astronaut corps,” Isaacman said. The people selected could walk on the Moon, live and work at the Moon Base, and help pioneer systems and operations that will ultimately carry crews to Mars.

“NASA's astronaut corps has always called on remarkable Americans willing to take on extraordinary challenges in service to the nation,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement.

Scott Tingle said becoming a NASA astronaut is more than a career opportunity. Tingle is chief astronaut and chair of the Astronaut Selection Board at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Tingle described it as a chance to join a legacy of explorers who have pushed the boundaries of discovery and to play a role in shaping humanity’s future in space.

“Master’s-level nursing degrees now meet the minimum educational requirement, whereas nursing degrees were previously excluded,” said Anna Schneider, NASA spokesperson.

The list of bidding companies includes SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin Space. Boeing is absent due to issues with its Starliner program.

The CLPS 2 initiative is a 10-year master contract. It is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity agreement with a combined maximum value of $10 billion. Winning companies will manage, build, and operate landers that transport NASA science, technology, and infrastructure payloads to the Moon.

NASA is relying on private companies such as Blue Origin and SpaceX to develop systems and spacecraft to achieve its goal of returning humans to the moon in 2028. That returns humans to the moon for the first time since 1972.

Isaacman spoke during a November 7 press conference on the Artemis III moon mission’s progress. Isaacman said he is very confident the mission will launch in 2027.