Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) Commander Eligibility Update

NASA's Johnson Space Center has issued a Special Notice regarding updates to the eligibility requirements for the Private Astronaut Mission (PAM) Commander position. This informational notice, posted on March 25, 2026, announces policy modifications that will be implemented through contract modifications for existing PAM awardees. The changes represent a significant shift in NASA's approach to selecting qualified personnel for PAM Commander roles. The agency is expanding the candidate pool by removing previous restrictions that limited eligibility to former NASA flown Government astronauts and current or former flown astronauts with specific U.S. Operating Segment experience. This Special Notice serves to inform industry stakeholders of the policy update without soliciting new proposals at this time.

The purpose of this eligibility update is to broaden the commercial spaceflight marketplace by allowing a larger number of qualified candidates to serve as PAM Commanders and Alternates. NASA's rationale for this change centers on better aligning the PAM framework with evolving commercial capabilities that support low Earth orbit missions and promoting a robust, competitive commercial spaceflight environment. While the notice specifies an April 6, 2026 due date, this is informational only, and no formal proposals are being requested from contractors at this time. The removal of the requirement for former NASA astronaut experience and specific USOS expertise significantly lowers previous barriers to entry. Existing PAM awardees should anticipate forthcoming contract modifications to reflect these new, less restrictive eligibility criteria for mission commander positions.