For the first time in more than four years, NASA is accepting applications from would-be astronauts — until 31 March.

The agency is currently preparing to send the first woman (and the next man) to the Moon with the Artemis programme.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine (www.nasa.gov) said: “We will send the first woman and next man to the lunar South Pole by 2024, and we need more astronauts to follow suit on the Moon — and then Mars.

“We are looking for talented men and women from diverse backgrounds and every walk of life to join us in this new era of human exploration, which begins with Artemis.”

When the agency last sought astronaut candidates (in late 2015), a record-breaking 18,300 people applied.

After more than two years of intensive training, 11 new astronauts selected from that pool graduated earlier this year, in the agency’s first public graduation ceremony.

The basic requirements to apply include US citizenship and a master’s degree from an accredited institution in a STEM subject, such as engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics.

Candidates must also have at least two years of related professional experience or at least 1,000hr of ‘pilot in command’ time in jet aircraft; and they will have to pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical.