You knew it was coming, so you’ve had plenty of time to brush up your résumé and apply for a job as an astronaut. Sure, it’s not the most glamorous job. You’ll only make between $67k-$141K, and to qualify you’ll have to posses over 1,000 hours of jet-flying experience, an advanced degree, and also be between 62 and 75 inches tall. The perks? You fly into space.
See the requirements and apply for the job below.
Here’s NASA’s information on applying for the job, and here’s the application itself. If you think those requirements look daunting, just wait until you get to the actual job application. It’s probably going to be the longest, most in-depth you’ve ever seen.
1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Quality of academic preparation is important.
Notes on Academic Requirements:
Applicants for the Astronaut Candidate Program must meet the basic education requirements for NASA engineering and scientific positions, specifically: successful completion of standard professional curriculum in an accredited college or university leading to at least a bachelor’s degree with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics.
The following degree fields are not considered qualifying:
–Degrees in Technology (Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc.)
–Degrees in Psychology (except for Clinical Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Experimental Psychology, which are qualifying)
–Degrees in Nursing
–Degrees in Exercise Physiology or similar fields
–Degrees in Social Sciences (Geography, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.)
–Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields
2. Degree followed by at least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience or at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: master’s degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K – 12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply.
3. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, which includes the following specific requirements:
Distant and near visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.
Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position
Standing height between 62 and 75 inches.
Notes on Space Flight Physical Requirements:
Since all crewmembers will be expected to fly aboard the Soyuz vehicle and perform Extravehicular Activities (space walks), applicants must meet the anthropometric requirements for both the Soyuz vehicle and the extravehicular activity mobility unit (space suit). Applicants brought in for interview will be evaluated to ensure they meet the anthropometric requirements.
Basic Education Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.
U.S. citizenship is required.
(image via NASA)
- Get ready to apply!
- A report says that they need more astronauts. Maybe they’ll be desperate enough to take me!
