Jobs in NASA, Salary : 50,000.000 KWD a year

If you’ve ever watched a rocket launch and wondered what it takes to be on board, this is the news for you. NASA, the U.S. space agency, has just opened applications for its newest group of astronauts, and the pay is enough to turn heads: about $164,395 a year, which works out to roughly KD 50,000.

It’s not a job most people in Kuwait can apply for directly, since NASA only takes U.S. citizens. But plenty of expats here hold American passports, and plenty more simply follow space news closely. Either way, it’s a reminder of how fast the race to the Moon and Mars is moving right now.

What is NASA actually asking for?

NASA wants people who can handle both the science and the physical side of space travel. The agency is looking for candidates with a specialised academic background, not just any degree. On top of that, applicants need at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in their field.

Then comes the physical part. Every applicant has to pass NASA’s required medical and physical examinations before they’re even considered for training. This has always been one of the toughest parts of becoming an astronaut, since the human body goes through a lot during launches, time in microgravity, and eventually, long stays on the Moon.

So why is NASA hiring now?

This new class of astronauts isn’t just for the usual trips to the International Space Station. NASA says these recruits are meant for a bigger goal: living and working on the lunar surface for extended missions, and getting ready for the next step after that, crewed missions to Mars.

That lines up with where space exploration has been heading over the past few years, with countries and private companies racing to build infrastructure on and around the Moon. Big engineering projects on Earth are moving just as fast in their own way, like the Jeddah Tower project nearing completion, though NASA’s timeline here is measured in years of astronaut training rather than construction floors.

What happens after you apply?

1. Submit your application before the deadline of 3 December 2026.
2. NASA reviews academic qualifications, work experience, and background.
3. Shortlisted applicants go through medical and physical examinations.
4. Final selections are expected to be announced in late 2027.
5. Chosen candidates then begin roughly two years of training before any mission assignment.

NASA hasn’t said how many astronauts it plans to select from this round, or exactly which missions each one will be assigned to. That detail isn’t confirmed yet, so it’s worth watching for an update once the shortlist comes out.

What this means if you’re in Kuwait

For most readers here, this is a watch-from-the-sidelines story rather than a job opportunity, since only U.S. citizens can apply. But Kuwait has a growing American community, from the embassy to private sector professionals and academics, and some of them will meet the citizenship and qualification bar NASA is asking for.

For everyone else, it’s simply a good story to follow. Space missions like this shape the technology we all end up using eventually, from satellite communication to materials science. You can keep up with this and other world developments in our international news coverage.

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