Shoot for the stars: 11 things you didnβt know about applying to be a NASA astronaut
The path to being an astronaut is a challenging one.
In February, NASA announced that it was opening applications for the next class of its Artemis Generation astronauts with applications closing in February of this year. Would you have what it takes to #BeAnAstronaut? Find out here.
Help wanted
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Currently, NASA has 48 astronauts in its corps and is seeking more applicants.
Sign of the times
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According to WHTR, the application closed on March 31 and included, for the first time, an online assessment portion.
Stem's the word
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One of the basic application requirements to be an astronaut in the next class of Artemis Generation is a masterβs degree in a STEM-related field. According to the NASA website, βThe requirement for the masterβs 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.
Learning to fly
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Being an astronaut for NASA requires a bit of flight experience, specifically, βat least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft,β according to NASAβs website. They can also have at least two years of professional experience related to their degree which can include jobs like teaching kindergarten.
Extras
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Space.com notes that astronaut candidates (known by the acronym ASCAN) can help themselves in the application process by having other skills like scuba diving, wilderness experience and fluency in a foreign languageΒ (Space.com notes that all astronauts are required to speak Russian).
Height requirement
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ASCANs should be between 62 and 75 in. (5β2β to 6β3β in.) to meet NASAβs βanthropomorphic requirements,β Science Direct notes. According to the NASA website, these contemporary requirements are much more flexible. During the first flight in 1959, astronauts had to be shorter than 5 feet 11 inches to fit in the Mercury spacecraft.
Get your sea legs before space
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According to Science Direct, ASCANs have to also pass a swim test, become SCUBA certified and pass a military water survival test. CBS notes that the swim test includes swimming three lengths of a pool and treading water for 10 minutes in a flight suit and tennis shoes.
If at first you don't succeed
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Many astronauts don’t get accepted on the first try, Space.com says. In fact, Clay Anderson applied 15 times and waited two more years before becoming an astronaut and serving as a member of the Expedition 15 crew aboard the International Space Station in 1998.
I can see clearly now
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Perfect vision is crucial for ASCANSβeven if they need a little help to achieve it. Part of the physical requirements to be an astronaut are 20/20 vision either with or without glasses or contacts.
A shrinking application pool
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The NASA application, according to Wired, drew in more than 18,000 applicants. Of those applicants, Wired reports that around 14,000 will meet the basic requirements. A review panel of experienced astronauts then whittles down the applicant pool to 500. After reference checks and a first round of interviews, the pool goes from 500 to 100 to around 50 or 60 who go on to the second round of interviews. After the intense space-flight physical, between eight and 14 applicants will become astronauts and begin training
Age ain't nothing but a number
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Astronauts have been a wide range of ages according toΒ CBS. Most fall between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average being about 34 years.
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