Alani Seaman / Managing Editor

With Mars on the horizon, NASA is currently accepting applications for the next generation of astronauts. There are opportunities for new employees, from the International Space Station, to the Moon in 2024. From March 2 through 31, NASA will be taking in applicants with the following requirements:’

U.S. citizen

Two years of professional experience in a relevant field / 1000 hours of pilot-in-command time flying jets

Master’s degree in a STEM program / two years of Ph.D. work in a STEM program / medical doctorate/completion of an accredited test pilot program

Ability to pass a NASA long-duration spaceflight physical

Complete an online assessment

These candidates will go through the rigorous NASA selection process, which will conclude in mid-2021. They will be the first in a new age of space, the Artemis Generation, the Apollo program’s sister. In Greek mythology, the goddess Artemis, goddess of the Moon and the hunt, is the brother of Apollo. She is also the “torchbearer” and will light the path to Mars for the next generation of space explorers.

This past January, NASA and CSA graduated the first class of Artemis generation astronauts. These extraordinary 11 scientists, engineers, and pilots rose to the top of the 18,000 applicants they applied with. Many of them served in the U.S. Military, with several branches represented. One of these astronauts, Maj. Jasmin Moghbeli, served in the Marine Corps after earning her bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at MIT and master’s from the Naval Postgraduate School. She’s had an impressive career in the military, graduating from the U.S. Navy test pilot school. Moghbeli worked as an assurance and avionics officer testing H-1 helicopters. Other astronauts began their careers in professional industries such as microorganism research or medicine. Despite the intense recruitment process, there are a variety of ways to join the ranks of those who can say they’ve reached the stars.

The Artemis program, NASA’s newest spaceflight and research division, has its sights set beyond the Moon; the current mission is to use the knowledge gained from upcoming Moon landings and research to prepare for a Mars expedition. With a broader range of companies going to space in the 21st century, NASA’s Artemis program is looking to partner with private entities to develop sustainable space travel by 2028. Back in July, NASA announced an opportunity for private companies to work on their Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) efforts. Several companies from around the world struck up designs for the future of space hardware. In November, they released the list of private corporations who received NASA contracts. Among the chosen companies were SpaceX, Blue Origin, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Ceres Robotics, and Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems Inc.

The Artemis program has shown a commitment to symbolism with the launch of its new mission patches. The overarching Artemis logo is full of intricate meanings, encased in an arrowhead-shaped program patch. It has a silver background, drawn from the Greek god Artemis’ silver bow and arrows. The “A” comes from the arrowhead in her bow along with the quiver, showing their readiness for launch. Striking through the logo is the blue crescent of Earth, which references her bow while incorporating the audience’s perspective of the missions. Earth is the centerpiece of all operations and the return point for all knowledge we find in space.

Additionally, the bow is the source of the program’s energy, effort, and vision for the future. The red cross through the “A” emphasizes the journey to the Red Planet, pointing towards the moon as a stepping-stone. Lastly, the “A” points not to the Moon, but beyond it as NASA looks to Mars. This new era of spaceflight will reunite society with its fascination for space. NASA expects Artemis to stir up a substantial boost to the space economy through more jobs and investment opportunities for private corporations. Exploration beyond the Moon will also help develop the technology that will open the doors to mining, tourism, and research in space. On the other hand, some have expressed concern for resources and money allocated to space without seeing a practical application for the field’s work. However, breakthroughs fuel the entire field of science. Advancements in one industry drive improvements across the board. Strengthening our presence on the Moon, and later Mars, will allow us to broaden our understand