Name of Information Collection: NASA Astronaut Candidate Selection Qualifications Inquiry
Published Date: 6/30/2026
Notice
Summary
NASA is updating how it collects info about astronaut applicants by asking their bosses, co-workers, and references for feedback. This helps NASA pick the best space explorers while cutting down on paperwork. If you’re involved, get ready to share your thoughts by July 30, 2026—no extra costs, just a smoother astronaut selection process!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Reference Respondents: 20‑Minute Burden
If NASA contacts you as a previous employer, direct-reporting manager, co-worker, or other reference for an astronaut applicant, you'll be asked to complete a qualifications inquiry that takes about 20 minutes. NASA estimates about 2,250 respondents per activity and a total annual burden of 750 hours. You may respond electronically or on paper, and comments on the collection are due by July 30, 2026.
Applicants Face Reference-Based Evaluation
If you apply to the NASA Astronaut Candidate Program, NASA will use qualitative and quantitative information from your previous employer(s), direct-reporting manager, co-workers, and other references to evaluate your work ethic and professionalism during selection. That information will be used by the NASA Astronaut Selection Office and Human Resources at the Johnson Space Center as part of the candidate evaluation.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13245, Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act
NASA is updating its rules for how it checks the environmental impact of its projects to make the process clearer and faster for everyone involved. This change affects NASA staff, project partners, and the public by providing new guidelines and updated lists of projects that don’t need detailed reviews. The new rules take effect on August 17, 2026, and NASA is asking for public comments by July 31, 2026.
2026-16679, Submission for OMB Review; Architect-Engineer Qualifications (SF-330)
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted to OMB a request to review and approve an extension of a previously approved information collection requirement regarding architect-engineer qualifications (Standard Form (SF) 330).
2026-16612, Regulatory Agenda
This agenda provides summary descriptions of regulations being developed by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council in compliance with Executive Order 12866 "Regulatory Planning and Review, as reaffirmed and amended in Executive Order 13563, "Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review." This agenda is being published to allow interested people an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. Additionally, members of the public can track the progress of any open and pending Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rule via the "Open FAR Cases" report, which is publicly available at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/ dars/farcasestatus.html. The Regulatory Secretariat Division has attempted to list all regulations pending at the time of publication, except for minor and routine or repetitive actions; however, unanticipated requirements may result in the issuance of regulations that are not included in this agenda. There is no legal significance to the omission of an item from this listing. Also, the dates shown for the steps of each action are estimated and are not commitments to act on or by the dates shown. Published proposed rules may be reviewed in their entirety at the Government's rulemaking website at https://www.regulations.gov.
2026-16677, Submission for OMB Review; Prospective Subcontractor Requests for Bonds
The government is asking to keep collecting info from subcontractors who want to see payment bonds before working on federal construction projects. This helps protect everyone by making sure payments are secure. If you’re a subcontractor or supplier, you might need to request these bonds soon, and comments on this process are open until September 14, 2026.
2026-16680, Submission for OMB Review; Privacy Training
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Secretariat Division has submitted to OMB a request to review and approve an extension of a previously approved information collection requirement regarding privacy training.
2026-16678, Submission for OMB Review; Contract Financing
The government is asking for approval to keep collecting info from contractors about how they want to get paid during contracts. This affects companies working with the government, who must share details about payment schedules and amounts. Comments are open until September 14, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up if you have thoughts!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-13108, Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is asking for approval to collect feedback from people, businesses, and local governments to improve their services and community programs. They’re inviting everyone to share their thoughts by July 30, 2026, with no cost to participants but a small time commitment. This new feedback collection will help TVA make things easier and better for everyone involved.
Next: 2026-13111, Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) 196, Notification of Proposed Production Activity; Foxlink Texas, Inc.; (Printed Circuit Board Assemblies); Fort Worth, Texas
Foxlink Texas, Inc. in Fort Worth wants to make printed circuit boards for headphones using certain imported parts with special duty benefits inside Foreign-Trade Zone 196. This means they can save on import taxes for materials like chips and connectors, helping them stay competitive. Public comments are open until August 10, 2026, so anyone interested can share their thoughts before the plan moves forward.