2006-08-13 14:55:48 · 7 answers · asked by adlex 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
There are three types of astronauts, each with different requirements: pilot/commander, mission specialist, payload specialist.
Pilots and commanders are former military pilots. The requirements vary in the different branches of service, but generally a pilot must be 5'4" to 5'11", of a normal weight. Pilots must have 20/20 vision before they start training. Once their training has commenced, the vision must be correctable to 20/20. (NASA even ground corrective lenses in some pilots' face plates, because you can't wear glasses or contacts during launch.)
Mission specialists are NASA employees who are specialists in some field of science, engineering, or medicine. They must have at least a masters degree, but most are Ph.D.'s. They must be at between 5'0" and 6'1" and of normal weight and good health. Their vision must be correctable to 20/20.
Payload specialists are employees of corporations who are launching equipment in the payload bay. They must be in good health and have vision correctable to 20/20. There are no other requirements.
The most significant factor affecting astronaut selection, historically, is membership in Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. A sizeable percentage of male astronauts have been Eagle Scouts.
2006-08-13 15:04:52 · answer #1 · answered by TychaBrahe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be an Australian citizen first? Haha jk (Astronaut)
Really you should start by getting a related degree... say a natural science, or engineering, or maybe psychology degree. Get an upper-level degree like a Masters or Doctorate. It is uncommon for astronauts to not have upper-level degrees. OR become a skilled jet pilot (in the Navy/air force). Someone has to fly those things.
You will need to be in peek mental and physical condition as well. Less common than sending uneducated people into space is sending the ill and loonies into space. That's NASA though, perhaps private groups will let more people risk their lives for no scientific gain... but that's unlikely.
2006-08-13 22:02:41 · answer #2 · answered by iMi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay out of trouble. Get good grades. Graduate college. Enlist in the airforce and learn to fly. Keep sending your resume to NASA and hope for the best.
2006-08-13 22:00:09 · answer #3 · answered by Nick Name 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check out: http://astronauts.nasa.gov/ to get NASA's requirements
to be an astronaut.
There are beginning to be other places... For instances,
http://www.bigelowaerospace.com and http://www.scaled.com
but it may be quite awhile before they are looking for
astronauts.
2006-08-13 22:53:31 · answer #4 · answered by Elana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not getting airsick would be good. Sorry had to be a bad joke in there somewhere. Good Luck
2006-08-14 00:36:13 · answer #5 · answered by Tim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on your spelling, you would need to first become (if you are not) an Australian or Austrian citizen. Then you can go on to study aeronautics.
2006-08-13 22:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by GentleheartedOne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of them would be being able to spell astronaut
2006-08-13 22:09:52 · answer #7 · answered by candy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋