2024-03-30 05:36:03
First fly to the moon and from there to Mars with the “Orion”: If the thought makes your heart beat faster, you should get your application documents ready.
Have you always wanted to go into space, but didn’t know the best way to go about it? It’s simple: you have to apply like you would for any other job.
In fact, the US space agency Nasa published a call for applications two weeks ago and is now asking again via social media channels: “You still have time to become an astronaut,” says X. “Applications to become one of our astronauts can be submitted until Tuesday, April 16th.”
NASA’s promise is huge: the chosen ones will fly to the moon and examine the south pole of the Earth’s satellite. From there we continue to Mars.
This is what a future astronaut has to bring with them
Applying is possible online and is not difficult. The problem arises when it comes to the requirements that future astronauts must meet. “Do you have what is necessary?” asks NASA. And the requirements are actually enormous.
- Applicants must be US citizens.
- You must have a master’s degree in a so-called MINT subject (engineering, biology, chemistry, other natural sciences, computer science or mathematics) from a recognized university.
- Candidates must have three years of professional experience after completing their studies
- or have proven to have flown various types of aircraft as a pilot for at least 1,000 hours.
- In addition, applicants should be physically and mentally able to successfully complete the test for long-term flights.
- Finally, leadership skills, teamwork and communication skills are also on the list.
The space agency does not specify an age limit, but writes: “The astronaut candidates selected in the past were between 26 and 46 years old, with the average age being 34 years.”
Spacewalks and operating robotic arms
If the applicants’ qualifications meet these requirements, NASA will invite a limited number of candidates for interviews at the Johnson Space Center in Houston (US state of Texas), according to the job application. Then the price is reduced by half and for the lucky ones there is a second interview.
The trainers will then select the new astronaut candidates from these applicants, it is said. During a two-year training course, you will learn the basic skills for future missions: spacewalks, operating the space station and handling a robotic arm.