How to Become an Astronaut

The steps of this how to are designed to provide insight into the educational and physical requirements, the application process and the training one must undergo before being considered space travel-worthy. At this time, the requirements to become an astronaut are strict, and even after intensive instruction in NASA's astronaut training program, there are no guarantees that you will actually win the coveted position you seek. To learn more about what it takes to become an astronaut, please read on.
Steps to Becoming an Astronaut
1. Build your education around science, engineering, medicine, research or mathematics
2. Maintain an acute level of physical fitness
3. Consider training with the military, especially if you plan to become a pilot
4. Make sure you meet all physical and educational criteria
5. Begin the application process
6. Plan to spend two years in NASA's intensive training program
7. If selected to become an astronaut, further training is required

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The steps of this how to are designed to provide insight into the educational and physical requirements, the application process and the training one must undergo before being considered space travel-worthy. At this time, the requirements to become an astronaut are strict, and even after intensive instruction in NASA's astronaut training program, there are no guarantees that you will actually win the coveted position you seek. To learn more about what it takes to become an astronaut, please read on.
Steps to Becoming an Astronaut
1. Build your education around science, engineering, medicine, research or mathematics
2. Maintain an acute level of physical fitness
3. Consider training with the military, especially if you plan to become a pilot
4. Make sure you meet all physical and educational criteria
5. Begin the application process
6. Plan to spend two years in NASA's intensive training program
7. If selected to become an astronaut, further training is required
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Introduction
- Do you find yourself looking to the sky and dreaming of one day traveling among the stars? Do you have a compelling fascination with technology, science, mathematics and adventure? Since 1959, NASA has only chosen 321 people to become astronauts, and the criteria one must meet is tough.NASA: Astronaut Selection There are no schools or universities that offer astronaut training, but there are steps you can take before you apply to become an astronaut that will set you on your way to the stars.ESA: Astronauts
Step 1: Education
- NASA receives thousands of applications every year for candidates interested in becoming astronauts. From those thousands of applications, only a small handful of qualified individuals actually make the cut and go on to train. NASA chooses people from diverse backgrounds, including teachers, scientists, doctors and engineers. Before you can apply to NASA you must first have a bachelor's degree. To increase your chances of being chosen for the program, you may want to focus your studies in one of the following areas:
1. Engineering
2. Mathematics
3. Biological sciences
4. Physical sciencesHow Stuff Works: How Do I Become an Astronaut
5. Science educationNASA: Astronaut Selection
6. Research and applicationESA: Astronauts
7. MedicineeHow: How to Become an Astronaut
8. Physical education (While a degree in physical education is not required, astronauts must be in top physical condition. Devote plenty of time to sports and physical training both in college and beyond)Space Launch Info: How to Become an Astronaut
- After receiving your bachelor's degree, you are required to spend at least three years working in your field to gain experience. Many space agencies hold graduate degrees at high value, so you will definitely want to consider going on to further your education.Space Launch Info: How to Become an Astronaut
Military Training
- If you are considering becoming a pilot for NASA, you will need to train with the military to gain flight experience. Even if you are not planning to become a pilot, the military is a great basis for much of the experience NASA and other space programs require in their candidates. The Navy and Air Force both offer opportunities for technological training and experience that will reflect well on your astronaut application.WikiHow: How to Become an Astronaut
Step 2: Astronaut Criteria
- NASA's astronaut qualification criteria may seem tough, but the number of positions available is so limited that only the best of the best can be considered. There are three different divisions of duty:
1. Commander/pilot: during flight, the pilot of the aircraft is responsible for flight safety, the aircraft itself, the onboard crew and the overall mission.NASA: Astronaut Requirements Commanders and pilots must meet the following criteria:
  1. U.S. citizenshipHow Stuff Works: How Do I Become an Astronaut
  2. Bachelor's degree, plus three years work experience (or further education)NASA: Astronaut Requirements
  3. At least 1,000 hours of flight experience as a jet aircraft pilot-in-commandHow Stuff Works: How Do I Become an Astronaut
  4. Physical requirements:
    Blood pressure must be at least 140/90NASA: Astronaut Requirements
    Vision must be 20/100 or better uncorrectedNASA: Astronaut Requirements
    Height: 64 to 76 inchesNASA: Astronaut Requirements
2. Mission specialist: duties include planning crew activities, maintaining food rations, performing space walks and other special experiment operations. Mission specialists must meet the following criteria:
  1. U.S. citizenshipHow Stuff Works: How Do I Become an Astronaut
  2. Bachelor's degree, plus three years work experience (or further education)NASA: Astronaut Requirements
  3. While not required, flight experience is beneficialNASA: Astronaut Selection FAQs
  4. Physical requirements:
    Blood pressure must be at least 140/90NASA: Astronaut Requirements
    Vision must be 20/200 or better uncorrectedNASA: Astronaut Requirements
    Height: 58.5 to 76 inchesNASA: Astronaut Requirements
3. Payload specialist: those who qualify as payload specialists are not NASA astronauts (for example, Russian cosmonauts), but assist with the mission and have specialized onboard duties. They must have the required education and credentials and pass the same physical examinations as mission specialists.NASA: Astronaut Requirements
Step 3: Application and Training
- Once you've completed your education and determined that you meet the requirements, it is time to fill out your application.
1. Civilian applications must be submitted through the Office of Personnel ManagementNASA: Astronaut Candidate Program
2. Candidates whose military status is active may submit through the Office of Personnel Management, or through their selected branch of the militaryNASA: Astronaut Candidate Program
- After your application is submitted, you may be contacted to verify information or references. If you are chosen for an interview, you will also be subject to medical screening and a criminal background check.NASA: Astronaut Candidate Program
The Training Process
- If you are selected for astronaut training, you must undergo two years of rigorous training at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.NASA: Astronaut Candidate Program That training will include but not be limited to:
1. Water survivalABC Science: How to Become an Astronaut
2. SCUBA training and certificationABC Science: How to Become an Astronaut
3. Swimming in full flight suit and shoesNASA: Astronaut Candidate Program
4. Exposure to atmospheric pressure changesABC Science: How to Become an Astronaut
5. Psychological testingESA: Manned Spaceflight and Microgravity
6. Pilots train at least 15 hours a month in NASA's T-38 jet and shuttle training aircraftHow Stuff Works: How to Become an Astronaut
- - Note: just because you have been selected for the training program does not guarantee that you will become an astronaut.
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Step 4: Astronaut Selection
- If you are one of the lucky ones who makes it through the two years of training and is chosen to become an astronaut, prepare to spend at least five years in NASA's employment.eHow: How to Become an Astronaut You will continue your training in the classroom, one operation at a time:
1. Basic shuttle operations
2. Simulation:
  1. Pre-launch
  2. Launch
  3. Orbit
  4. Entry
  5. LandingHow Stuff Works: How to Become an Astronaut
- You must continue with generic operations training until you are picked for a flight mission. Once chosen for your first flight mission, you are required to endure up to 10 months of preparation training including:
1. Flight simulation
2. Underwater training for spacewalk
3. Emergency situation training
4. Actual shuttle trainingHow Stuff Works: How to Become an Astronaut
- Upon completing this final round of training, congratulations are in order—you will be ready to blast off on your first official space mission!
Conclusion
- Completing the long, arduous training to become an astronaut may not even guarantee that you earn the position you seek, but as technology continues to advance and more time is spent learning about and exploring space, more opportunities will eventually make themselves available. Be sure to center your studies around a relative field and take advantage of the training offered by the military, especially if you wish to become a pilot. Maintain absolute physical fitness to ensure that your body can quickly recover from the physical and mental pressures of space travel. And be sure to give 100 percent if you are chosen for astronaut training.