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Want to Become an Astronaut? You Might Be More Qualified Than You Think
Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a NASA Astronaut? We’re accepting applications starting March 2, and we’re encouraging all eligible Americans to apply by March 31!
It’s an incredible time in human spaceflight to be an astronaut. With Artemis, our sights are set on the Moon – to stay – by utilizing sustainable lunar missions, and you could be one of the humans on the surface! During their careers, this next class of astronauts may also fly on any of four different U.S. spacecraft: the International Space Station, Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and our Orion deep-space exploration vehicle; They will be at the cutting edge of a new era in human exploration.
So, still interesting in joining our ranks as an Artemis generation astronaut? Here are a few things to note.
Myths about becoming an astronaut:
MYTH: All astronauts have piloting experience.
FACT: You don’t need to be a pilot to be an astronaut. Flying experience is not a requirement, but could be beneficial to have.
MYTH: All astronauts have perfect vision.
FACT: It’s okay if you don’t have 20/20 vision. As of September 2007, corrective surgical procedures of the eye (PRK and LASIK), are now allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects.
MYTH: All astronauts have advanced degrees like, a PhD.
FACT: While a Master’s degree from an accredited university is necessary, the requirement can also be met with the completion (or current enrollment that will result in completion by June 2021) of a nationally recognized test pilot school program.
MYTH: Astronauts are required to have military experience in order to be selected.
FACT: Military experience is not required to become an astronaut.
MYTH: You have to be a certain age in order to be an astronaut.
FACT: There are no age restrictions. Astronaut candidates selected in the past have ranged between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average age being 34.
Okay, but what are the requirements?
The basic requirements to apply include United States citizenship and a master’s degree in a STEM field, including engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics, from an accredited institution. The requirement for the master’s degree can also be met by:
Two years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) of work toward a Ph.D. program in a related science, technology, engineering or math field;
A completed doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree;
Completion (or current enrollment that will result in completion by June 2021) of a nationally recognized test pilot school program.
Candidates also must have at least two years of related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Astronaut candidates must pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical.
Applications for our next Artemis astronaut class open on March 2! Shoot for the stars and visit: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com
Dreamed of Being an Astronaut?
TweetChat with Astronaut Serena Auñón
Astronaut Serena Auñón hosted a TweetChat where she answered your questions on what it’s like to be an astronaut.
We’re currently accepting applications for the next astronaut class, until Feb. 18. You can find get details and apply HERE. The job posting is available on USAJobs.
Here are a few of the great questions she was asked:
You can check out the full conversation at the #BeAnAstronaut hashtag on Twitter.
Follow astronaut Serena Auñón on Twitter.
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com
5 Myths About Becoming an Astronaut
Editor’s Note: This post was updated on March 15, 2024, to reflect new URLs and updated qualifications for applicants.
Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to become a NASA astronaut? The term “astronaut” derives from the Greek word meaning “star sailor.”
We’re looking for a new class of astronauts to join the NASA team, and if you’re thinking about applying, there are a few things you should know.
Here are a few myths about becoming an astronaut:
MYTH: All astronauts have piloting experience.
FACT: You don’t need to be a pilot to be an astronaut. Flying experience is not a requirement, but it could be beneficial to have.
MYTH: All astronauts have perfect vision.
FACT: It’s OK if you don’t have 20/20 vision. As of September 2007, corrective surgical procedures of the eye (PRK and LASIK), are now allowed, providing at least one year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse aftereffects.
MYTH: All astronauts have advanced degrees, like a PhD.
FACT: While a master’s degree from an accredited university is typically necessary to become an astronaut, an exception exists if you have completed a medical degree or test pilot school.
MYTH: Astronauts are required to have military experience to be selected.
FACT: Military experience is not required to become an astronaut.
MYTH: You must be a certain age to be an astronaut.
FACT: There are no age restrictions. Astronaut candidates selected in the past have ranged between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average age being 34.
OK, but what are the requirements?
Basic Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before submitting an application:
Be a U.S. citizen.
Have completed a master’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
The master’s degree requirement can also be met by having:
Completed at least two years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) in an accredited PhD or related doctoral degree program (or foreign equivalent) with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
Completed a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or related medical degree (or foreign equivalent) in an accredited college or university.
Completed or be currently enrolled in a Test Pilot School (TPS) program (nationally or internationally recognized) and will have completed this program by June 2025. (Must submit proof of completion or enrollment.)
If TPS is your only advanced technical degree, you must have also completed a bachelor’s degree or higher (or foreign equivalent) at an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
Have at least three years of related professional experience obtained after degree completion (or 1,000 Pilot-in-Command hours with at least 850 of those hours in high-performance jet aircraft for pilots). For medical doctors, time in residency can count toward experience and must be completed by June 2025.
Be able to pass the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical.
Applications for our next astronaut class are open through April 16! Learn more about our Astronaut Selection Program and check out current NASA astronaut Anne McClain’s advice in “An Astronaut’s Guide to Applying to Be an Astronaut.”
Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!
Image Descriptions 1. GIF showing a first-person view from the cockpit of a T-38 NASA training jet. The camera pans 360 degrees to show the the sky, the jet’s wing, and the astronaut in training wearing a flight helmet. The sky is reflected n the astronaut’s visor. Credit: NASA
2. Two astronauts smiling inside a module aboard the International Space Station. They’re wearing casual clothes. At left, the man is wearing a navy blue crew neck shirt. At right, the woman is wearing a red crew neck shirt. Credit: NASA
3. Four astronauts floating inside a module aboard the International Space Station. The two outermost astronauts are wearing shirts that say M.I.T. on them. The two in the middle have hats that say M.I.T. on them. The second astronaut from the left holds up a red flag representing M.I.T. They’re all smiling. Credit: NASA
4. Two astronauts float inside a module aboard the International Space Station. They’re both wearing t-shirts that say NAVY on them. Credit: NASA
5. GIF showing six International Space Station crew members having a meal together. They’re eating and drinking from food pouches. Credit: NASA
6. A graphic displaying NASA's astronaut requirements, which are detailed in the text below the image. An astronaut in a spacesuit, pointing to the reader, is peeking out of the right side of the image, and the surface of the Moon takes up most of the image's background. "NASA's 2024 Astronaut Recruitment" is in large text in the image's bottom-left corner. Credit: NASA
Want a career that rewards you for your hard work? Cross a few of these low-earning careers off your list, and try these related, higher-paying alternatives instead.
Know these 5 things before you arrive for the interview.
As a job seeker, you're often told how essential it is that you research the company before a job interview. But what exactly should you be looking for? Here are five things you should know about a company before you arrive for the interview.
1. The quick facts Nothing's more embarrassing – or a surer deal breaker – than simply not knowing the basic facts about a company and the position by the time you reach the interview. It may be hard to believe, but many hiring managers will tell you that sometimes candidates come in and aren't even sure of the name of the company. Basic facts like the industry and scope of their business, how the position you're interviewing for fits into the corporate structure and, of course, the name of the company are all crucial to your success in the interview. 2. The skills they want Your main ultimate goal in a job interview is to convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the position. To do this, you need to have a good idea of what they would consider an ideal candidate and highlight the ways you fit that bill. Sometimes you'll get lucky and the employer will literally include a "qualities of an ideal candidate" section in the job posting, but even if that's not the case, you can still piece it together. Carefully read and reread the posting, particularly the typical duties and responsibilities. Ask yourself which of your skills and experiences match up with these, and how you can articulate that connection to the interviewer.
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Looking for the best, most reputable and professional recruitment agency based in Portsmouth, UK. Then look no further than Opus Loco. They offer an extremely high quality service, offering their services to local businesses, providing employment to jobs in many sectors.
