NASA Opens 25th Astronaut Class Applications as Drone Aids Sanctuary

Recruitment for NASA's next generation of lunar explorers and drone-assisted care at a flooded Florida primate sanctuary led science and field operations reporting on November 7, 2026.

NASA Opens Applications Through Dec. 3 for 25th Astronaut Class Supporting Artemis Moon Missions

NASA opened applications for its 25th class of astronauts since the agency selected the original Mercury Seven in 1959, accepting submissions through December 3, 2026. The recruitment drive seeks U.S. citizens holding at least a master's degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) discipline—or equivalent test pilot or medical credentials—to expand NASA's current corps of 32 active astronauts for the Artemis lunar exploration program and future human missions to Mars.

During NASA's previous recruitment cycle 2 years ago, more than 8,000 people applied for the 10 astronaut candidate positions announced in September 2025. Agency officials stated that finalists from the current application window will be announced in late 2027 and report to Johnson Space Center in early 2028 for 2 years of foundational training in spacewalking, robotics, International Space Station systems, and flight readiness. Artemis III commander Randy Bresnik and astronaut Frank Rubio—who set the U.S. single-mission spaceflight record of 371 consecutive days in orbit—encouraged qualified scientists, engineers, and aviators to apply.

Florida Sanctuary Save the Chimps Uses Drone to Deliver Food and Blankets to 38-Year-Old Ape

In Fort Pierce, Florida, staff at the nonprofit sanctuary Save the Chimps deployed an unmanned aerial drone to deliver food and dry blankets to a 38-year-old chimpanzee named Kaleb after torrential rain flooded the surrounding access roads. Founded in 1997, the 150-acre (61-hectare) sanctuary is home to 200 chimpanzees living across 12 artificial islands—having cared for nearly 350 chimpanzees retired from research laboratories, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade since its founding—and requires 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

When high water prevented utility vehicles from reaching Kaleb's island enclosure while he waited on an elevated outdoor platform, facilities director Mark Yohannan used his personal delivery drone to ferry produce and warm blankets directly to the 38-year-old ape. Sanctuary Chief Executive Officer Ana Paula Tavares reported that all 200 chimpanzees remained safe on high ground and that roughly 20% of the sanctuary's internal roads had cleared of standing water by Saturday morning as drainage pumps operated around the clock.