HOW TO BECOME AN ASTRONAUT
Astronautics is an extremely selective and competitive field. Each cycle, hundreds of qualified candidates go through a rigorous selection process to compete for a few highly sought-after positions. Knowing the requirements for this challenging career path can give you a solid road map to gain the necessary experience and knowledge, turning you into a strong candidate.
In this story, we unpack the process of becoming an astronaut, exploring the skills, duties, pay, training, and other career tips to help you succeed.
An astronaut is a person who, under the auspices of a space program, ventures into space with certain training and equipment. Under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA for short, astronauts have been the cornerstone of the United States’ space journey since its founding in 1959. Under NASA’s terminology, “astronaut” refers to any member of the NASA Astronaut Corps or crew on board its spacecraft. There are candidates from a wide range of fields in the selection crucible. Only a handful are chosen by hand from the overwhelming number of applicants for the rigorous astronaut candidate grooming program.
NASA’s astronaut corps now embraces a hodgepodge of specialties, including but not limited to educators, medical practitioners, and journalists, surpassing the customary prerequisite of a master’s degree. The dawn of commercial astronauts is upon us, as the privatization of space voyages burgeons
Astronaut Archetypes
NASA has three different tiers for their astronauts:
• Astronaut Aspirants: Currently receiving training at the Johnson Space Center, these individuals were chosen to join the NASA Astronaut Corps.
• Active Duty Astronauts: These are the individuals who have completed the aspirant training and are now qualified for space missions.
• Administrative Astronauts: These astronauts are still employed by NASA, although they no longer perform flight tasks.
Blueprint to Becoming an Astronaut
For those enticed by the cosmos, the ensuing steps delineate the roadmap to becoming an astronaut:
Academic Advancement
A master’s degree, which requires six to eight years of academic commitment, is the prerequisite for becoming an astronaut, regardless of whether one chooses a military or civilian career path.
Physical Fortitude
Space is a physically demanding environment that requires a strong fitness routine. To adapt your body to the demands of spaceflight, you must lead a disciplined lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and intense exercise.
Master the Skies
One of the most important requirements for astronaut candidates is flight experience. Military channels, particularly the air force, or civilian channels, such as commercial or supervised private flying, can be used to obtain at least 1,000 hours of flight instruction.
Venture into NASA’s Selection Arena
After obtaining the necessary educational, experiential, and physical qualifications, the next step is to apply for a position with NASA. Expect a lengthy evaluation process that might last up to 60 days as NASA carefully considers each applicant’s skill and understanding of team dynamics.
Astronauts: The Vanguard of the Cosmos
Depending on their assigned position and the mission blueprint, astronauts take on a variety of duties. Typical responsibilities include leading teams, flying spacecraft, conducting scientific research, maintaining spacecraft, responding to medical emergencies, operating space stations, manipulating robots, performing daily physical maintenance, teamwork, and conducting research.
FAQs: Navigating the Astronaut Career Pathway
What is an astronaut’s remuneration?
The pay scale for astronauts is based on their military rank or civilian experience; for civilians, the pay scale is the federal General Schedule (GS), which starts at $103,309 for a GS-13 and goes up to $143,598 for a GS-15 apex.
What is the time from into an astronaut?
The journey to become an astronaut takes about ten years, including two years in the NASA Astronaut Corps, professional experience, and undergraduate and graduate coursework.
How may I pitch my candidacy for an astronaut selection?
Military personnel must also inform their commanding hierarchy of their cosmic goals, and both military and civilian applicants must submit their applications through USAJOBs.
How can I bolster my astronaut candidacy?
Enhance your astronaut application by pursuing greater academic success in aerospace-related fields, obtaining practical engineering or technology experience, getting EMT and diving certifications, and picking up new languages.