NASA Hiring New Astronauts For The First Time In Four Years

If one of your dreams is to become an astronaut, you might be in luck - NASA is accepting applications for future astronauts to join the 47-man astronaut team between December 2015 and February 2016.

NASA says the nearing return of astronauts to American soil, as well as the possibility of a mission voyage to the Red Planet has necessitated the call for applications, writes Christian Science Monitor. The space agency has promised that the chosen astronauts will have the opportunity to be part of an "unprecedented transition to commercial spacecraft for crew and cargo transport to the space station," according to a press release.

"This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden in a statement. "Those selected for this service will fly on U.S. made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space."

To be considered for one of the positions, applicants must have a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. The space agency will consider advanced degrees over those without.


Aside from the academic requirements prescribed by the space agency, candidates should have at least three years of "related, progressively responsible, professional experience" or at least 1,000 hours of "pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft," which, according to Space.com, may indicate that NASA is hoping to encourage military candidates.

The physical requirements are also an important part of the application, as astronauts must endure a lot of physical strain during missions due to the effects of being in an environment which does not follow the laws of gravity, which would likely cause health issues for those unprepared to cope in a space environment for an extended period of time.

However, physical height is one requirement that may immediately eliminate some candidates from the pool. NASA has specified that in order to qualify, commander and pilot candidates must be between 62 and 75 inches tall.

Successful candidates will undergo two years of training, which includes military survival water training, scuba diving qualification, high and low atmospheric pressure testing, training in Russian language, and test flights aboard a jetliner that has been modified to simulate weightlessness in space, colloquially known as the "vomit comet". All of these tasks must be successfully completed prior to being considered an official astronaut.



Source: Design and Trend , 7th Nov 2015