NASA's space shuttle program has ended, but it is still seeking new astronauts.

The agency accepted applications for about two months and received nearly 6,400 applications from across the country.

According to NASA, any adult in excellent physical condition who meets basic qualifications can be selected to enter astronaut training.

"We have applicants from the military flight operations, from military but non- flight operations. We have applicants in every field of math, science or engineering. We have educators," said Peggy Whitson, who will help select the next group of astronauts.

Whitson said hundreds of the applicants will be screened further and then 120 will be invited in for first-round interviews.

In addition extensive mental and physical health exams, applicants must also have a resting heart rate of no more than 140 over 90, be 62 to 75 inches tall and have 20/20 vision.

The selection process takes about a year and a half. Finalists will be determined by October, but the next candidate class won't be announced until March 2013.

Out of all the applicants, nine to 15 of them will be invited to become an astronaut.