Artemis II in April: English becomes a NASA gatekeeper

Artemis II is slated for April 2026—and it revives a hard truth: without English fluency, Brazilians fall behind even in NASA technical roles.

With the mission expected to send four people on a flight around the Moon, NASA’s Artemis program is back at the center of public attention. For many aspiring space professionals, it also highlights a basic requirement that often comes before any specialization: English fluency.

At NASA, English runs through manuals, software tools, training programs, meetings, and job interviews. It’s also the dominant language of scientific publishing and multinational teams. In practical terms, strong English skills speed up access to technical content, raise competitiveness in hiring, and enable participation in high-complexity projects—especially in engineering and technology.

Why English comes before the hard skills

For applicants targeting NASA roles, English is more than a “nice-to-have.” It’s the working language required to read documentation, report issues, join design reviews, and discuss decisions in real time. In environments where precision and speed matter, clear communication can directly impact performance.

Reginaldo Kaeneêne, founder and CEO of KNN Idiomas, says NASA is one of several international destinations for professionals who master the language. “Language breaks geographic barriers and opens doors so that professionals—often recently graduated—can build internationally prestigious careers. Today we have several Brazilians working at NASA and also in other sectors, like technology,” he says.

Starting early helps—with real interviews

For anyone aiming for an international career, consistent exposure to English from an early age tends to accelerate progress. It can sharpen pronunciation, expand vocabulary, and improve comprehension in real-world situations such as meetings, presentations, and technical interviews.

“In a globalized environment, where multidisciplinary teams connect to deliver complex projects, English fluency doesn’t just support integration—it supports performance in tasks that demand precision and agility. Those who master the language communicate clearly, contribute to global teams, and increase their chances of competing for prestigious roles, which is why starting early matters,” says Reginaldo Knn.

Where to find official NASA job postings

Brazilians who are already fluent and want to apply for opportunities at NASA—and other U.S. government agencies—can track openings on the federal portal USAJOBS at https://www.usajobs.gov/.

On the site, candidates can filter by the “NASA” agency, job field, and experience level. Listings typically outline requirements such as education, experience, duty location, application deadlines, and—in many cases—eligibility rules.

The process usually involves creating a profile, submitting a resume in the required format, attaching supporting documents, and applying within the posting window.

Foto: Divulgação