A new milestone has been set on the journey of cloud-native technology. It is the emergence of the ‘Golden Kubestronaut’. Let’s learn more about the Golden Kubestronaut, the highest honor that proves deep knowledge and expertise in Kubernetes and the cloud-native ecosystem.
What is a Golden Kubestronaut?
The Golden Kubestronaut is the highest-level professional certification awarded by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). While the existing ‘Kubestronaut’ program was a title given to professionals who obtained five Kubernetes-related certifications, the Golden Kubestronaut goes a step further, being an honorable title bestowed upon individuals who have acquired all cloud-native related certifications provided by CNCF, as well as the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) certification.
This signifies not merely possessing multiple certifications, but officially recognizing comprehensive and deep understanding, along with practical skills, across the entire spectrum of cloud-native technologies centered around Kubernetes. As of 2025, to become a Golden Kubestronaut, all of the following certifications must be obtained:
- Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS)
- CNCF Kubernetes and Cloud Native Certifications (Total 13):
- Kubernetes Specialist (Former Kubestronaut):
- Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD)
- Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS)
- Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate (KCNA)
- Kubernetes and Cloud Native Security Associate (KCSA)
- Additional Cloud Native Specialists:
- Prometheus Certified Associate (PCA)
- Istio Certified Associate (ICA)
- Certified Cilium Associate (CCA)
- Certified Argo Project Associate (CAPA)
- Certified GitOps Associate (CGOA)
- Certified BPF Associate (CBA)
- OpenTofu Certified Associate (OTCA)
- Kyverno Certified Associate (KCA)
- (Effective October 15, 2025) Certified Cloud Native Platform Engineering Associate (CNPA)
CNCF may add new certifications as cloud-native technology evolves, and continuous learning and certification acquisition may be required to maintain Golden Kubestronaut status in line with these changes.
The Journey to Becoming a Golden Kubestronaut
The journey to becoming a Golden Kubestronaut is by no means easy. It requires a solid foundation in Linux systems, followed by in-depth knowledge of Kubernetes operations, development, and security. Furthermore, it demands demonstrating understanding and proficiency in various open-source projects that constitute the cloud-native ecosystem, such as Service Mesh (Istio), Observability (Prometheus), Networking (Cilium), and GitOps (Argo).
Each certification consists of a theoretical exam (multiple-choice) and a performance-based practical exam, comprehensively evaluating the ability to solve problems in real-world environments, beyond merely memorizing concepts.
Exclusive Benefits for Golden Kubestronauts
CNCF recognizes the efforts of its top experts and encourages their leadership within the community by providing special benefits befitting them. The benefits offered to Golden Kubestronauts are as follows:
- Special backpack and beanie with the Golden Kubestronaut logo
- ThriveOne subscription for continuous professional development
- One free annual pass to Kubernetes Community Days (KCD) worldwide
- 50% discount on KubeCon registration once a year
- 60% discount voucher for new CNCF certification exams
- Special listing on the official Kubestronaut website
These benefits hold significant meaning beyond their monetary value, as they provide opportunities to network with cloud-native experts worldwide and be among the first to access the latest technological trends.
The Meaning and Value of Golden Kubestronaut
The Golden Kubestronaut program goes beyond merely celebrating individual achievement; it positively impacts the entire cloud-native industry.
- Setting Expert Standards: It provides clear criteria for companies and organizations to recruit and evaluate cloud-native technology professionals.
- Motivating Learning: It offers a structured learning roadmap for IT professionals and encourages continuous learning in an ever-evolving technological ecosystem.
- Strengthening the Ecosystem: By enabling more professionals to acquire in-depth knowledge of various CNCF projects, it contributes to the growth and development of the entire cloud-native ecosystem.
As cloud-native technology establishes itself as the core of modern IT infrastructure, the demand for experts in related fields is exploding. The Golden Kubestronaut is a definitive certification that proves one is a top expert meeting these contemporary demands, and it will become a new goal for all those looking to advance their careers in the cloud-native domain.
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