What Dose It Take To Be An Astronaut? Is It Hard?

Question

I Want To Be An Astronaut.

Answer 1

Most astronauts have very strong backgrounds in math, science, and engineering; some even have PhD's in their fields and divide their time between teaching at colleges and flying through the stratosphere at ungodly speeds.
In addition, almost all of them have experience in aviation. Most are combat or test pilots in the US Navy or Air Force with thousands of hours of experience in the air. If you don't want to be a pilot, then I believe flight surgeons of some sort sometimes qualify also. Recently, a Navy SEAL was chosen, so I guess it's not required that you're an aviator, but it certainly doesn't hurt, as being familiar with uber-high performance flying machines is definitely a plus. Naturally, all these requirements mean you're in excellent physical shape.
Did I mention that most of the people who even manage to meet these exacting standards are rejected from or washed out of the training pipeline?
So yea, becoming an astronaut is freaken hard.

What you can do now: Get kickass grades in school. If you're in high school, make sure to work very hard in math and science classes. Then do go to college. Make sure to get very good grades, and it would probably benefit you to major in science or engineering. Now is the trickier part. Some people choose to enroll in their university's Navy or Air Force ROTC program, if available. This means the government pays for your college, and at graduation, you will be an officer in the military, and can begin flight training. Those who do not commit in college can still become officers via the Navy or Air Force's officer training programs.

Immediately after graduation from college or down the road, it would be nice to earn at least a master's and possibly even a doctorate in math, science, or engineering. Military officers can attend the Navy Postgraduate School, which offers such programs, or they can enroll in a civilian graduate program, possibly sponsored by the military and thus receiving full pay and benefits while they study. It's a pretty sweet deal; the only catch is that you might be a few years older than the other graduate students, but probably not many.

That's all I know, based solely on my own interest in being an astronaut myself. I kind of forgot about it a few years ago, and have chosen something else, but I think the idea is still way romantic and awesome, so good luck to you.

Answer 2

Well, it depends on what reason makes you want to be an astronaut. If it is for scientific reason, then prepare your self to study hard about any topic related to Astronomy, especially which can by studied and researched on orbit.
But if you want just to experience zero gravity environment and see Earth from space, it will be open widely for tourist within the next few years, but it is very costly!
But do you want some thing more exciting than being astronaut? Go and buy a telescope; drive away from city to country side and find place where you can see a clear sky and stars; and search for Galaxies in the sky. I still remember the 1st time I saw a galaxy by a telescope; it was 14 years ago, and yet I still remember it. I saw Andromeda Galaxy that night; it was like a jewel in the sky. Good luck

Answer 3

Ovaries are just as effective. It is the way you express the emotions of determination and judgement that is important.

First, learn to fly. In the US, you can begin flight training at age 16, and hold a private airman certificate at 17. If you can find an instructor that can teach you aerobatic flying, it will be a plus to know you can stand the stress of inverted flight, loops, rolls, and hammerhead turns.

Steer clear of the Civil Air Patrol. It is a waste of time and emotional stamina. If the resources are available, get your instrument rating. The psychological training is invaluable.

Do some parachute jumping if you get a chance. SCUBA diving is a good skill to learn, too. Anything you can do that involves adapting to unusual environments is good.

While you are doing this, make straight A's in math and science, too. And don't do anything that risks getting you in trouble with the law, even just a tiny bit. You have to have an exactly clean record.

Go to college and get a degree in math, physics, or engineering. Aeronautical engineering is still the core discipline at NASA. Go into Air Force or Navy ROTC. And buddy up to your recruiter. Make sure they know what you are aiming for.

Eat right, exercise, and stay fit. And have regular checkups. Anything like thyroid trouble, allergies, bad eyesight, or a weak adrenal cortex is an on-the-spot downcheck.

So yes, it's daunting. And you might do all those things and still not make it. But it's worth a try if it's what you want. Go for it.

Answer 4

http://astronauts.nasa.gov/content/broch00.htm

Today, there are doctors, engineers, scientists, and pilots who are astronauts. You must be one of the very best in whatever your chosen field is. You must have a second field in which you are extremely competent. You must be capable of working closely with others constructively and completely alone. Flight training is a real plus.

In my opinion, Story Musgrave is the greatest astronaut of all time. Have a look at his biography and check out his educational and work experience prior to becoming an astronaut. (You don't have to be as amazing as he is.)

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/musgrave.html

Lastly, if you really want this. Stay focused on it and do not let anyone deter you. Go for it.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

The first step is you must be good at physics and math (the two go hand and hand).

Answer 7

you just need 2 b brave 2 sit in da vomit commit
cuz im an astronaught
i know its hard
its damn hard

Answer 8

Very hard.You have to be able to hold your breath for like 3 minutes.You must also be very physically abled.So basically you must be very smart, very strong, and have maximum lung capacity.

Answer 9

You need a space ship and a really cool silver suit and helmet.

Answer 10

asking this question prequalifies you as a space-cadet! keep up the good work, your half way there.