There's no particular path to becoming an astronaut, but these guidelines will help you succeed.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: Many years
Here's How:
- Obtain bachelor's degree from an accredited school in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics.
- Add 3 years of related, increasingly responsible professional experience
- Ideally, obtain a graduate degree. Although this step is desirable, it is not essential.
- Get pilot's license.
- Obtain 1,000 hours flying time in a jet aircraft.
- Demonstrate communication skills, both in written and verbal forms.
- Send in U.S. Government Application Form 171 to the Johnson Space Center in Houston
- Come in on first cut when Form 171 is reviewed and applicants are ranked according to experience and expertise.
- Make second round of ranking and rating from more stringent requirements that will eliminate more applicants.
- Be one of an average 118 from more than 4,000 applicants that are asked to go to Johnson Space center and undergo a week of interviews, medical examinations, and orientation.
- Have a high rating from the board based on experience and potential, motivation, ability to function as a member of a team, communication abilities, and adaptability.
- Become one of the final candidates that the board passes with a recommendation on to the NASA administrator.
Tips:
- You don't need to be a top student, but you do need to demonstrate excellence in a certain area.
- NASA recommends that you center your college curriculum on science and the technologies
- Sometimes postgraduate work is substituted for all or part of work experience.
- Approximately 20 candidates are chosen every two years, depending on the needs of the space program. If not chosen, reapply for the next class.
