Please answer 13year old british girl wanting to be a astronaut...?

Question

...In NASA.

BUT im unsure of a few things,

A. With me being of British orgin will i get in.
B. I have bad hips - Perthese desise - would they accept me.
C. What training would i have to go threw.

Im 5ft 2 weigh 73kg i have lost 4 kg alredy i'm keeping it up and don't hesitate to ask for more information.

As soon as i turn 16 i will be getting hip replacements though.

Please dont discourege me as if neccisary i would want to work in Houston.

Im getting the following levels:

English - B+
Maths - B+
Science - A-

Im only in year 8 though.

I Know i have asked this before but this is only because i didnt include enough information so please answer.

Thank you in advance
xx

Answer 1

US citizenship is a requirement to be a NASA astronaut.

However, NASA does employ international astronauts from foreign space agencies and occasionally assigns them to flights. I would expect that NASA wouldn't accept an international astronaut unless that person would qualify under all existing US standards.

So your path would be a difficult one: first, you must meet the normal US requirements for health, education and professional experience; then you must be accepted by your national space agency (which is ESA in your case); then ESA would have to submit your name to NASA; and finally, NASA would have to accept you as an astronaut candidate.

Alternatively, you can aim for a US university or a US job after university, and try for American citizenship -- although the citizenship process takes 7 years. But if you do both undergrad and graduate work in the US, you might be a US citizen at about the same time as you have enough education and experience to apply.

But in any event, you increase your chances with every degree you get: Masters degree is a plus, and PhD is a big plus. So get your maths grades up to A, and science up to A+ if you can. Spaceflight takes a LOT of smarts, and you have to prove you've got what it takes above the neck. If you do, your hips will be less of an issue.

Selection as an astronaut candidate is followed by two years of further training and evaluation in Houston, after which you may or may not be selected as an astronaut. The shuttle will be retired by the time you're old enough for spaceflight, so read everything you can on the Constellation program, NASA's next manned space program.

Oh, and one more thing: learn to swim. Here's the list of basic requirements, including areas of science in which a degree would be most attractive to NASA:

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

Answer 2

Hi Nickeee -

You have probably already checked out all the websites, so I doubt if any of this is new.. As a British citizen, you may have some difficulty joining the US military as an officer for flight training, but that is not the only source of astronauts. Some of the mission specialists are just very good at what they do. We have had citizens of other countries participate as astronauts. Also, by that time, Europe may have its own program.

I am not familiar with your hip condition. It could be an issue, but if you have hip replacements, I would think you would be good to go. My understanding of the results of that type of surgery are very favorable.

Training certainly requires some physical strength and agility and endurance, as well as an ability to get along with everyone else around you. I think the training part will be easy compared to the academics and preparation you will need to get accepted. But that's no different than anyone else, so there's no reason why you cannot accomplish it.

Noone can promise you anything at this point. If they did, they would be disingenuous. The bottom line is hard work. If you really want it, then really work for it, and you will end up with only good choices.

Answer 3

Right now, you don't have to have a background in military aviation to fly into space, but it sure helps. Especially knowing how to deal with a real emergency such as your launch vehicle catching fire, then exploding. There are real dangers in spaceflight, so be aware there are risks involved. That is why military personnel or former military personnel command Shuttle missions. You will need a doctorate level education in some suitable field such as astrophysics, geology, medicine or engineering. If you can get your grades up and get into a well recognized university program, you could get the education under your belt. However, your hips right now would likely keep you from flying into space. That may change in the future but right now the effects of spaceflight upon artificial joints are an unknown. I'm not sure NASA or any other space agency would want to take that risk, but then again much medical research continues to be needed. You might be both a doctor and a experimental subject to investigate this very question. Spaceflight has become possible for a growing group of people. Most people can handle the g-forces aboard the Shuttle provided they can pass the training programs. In the future though it's possible even people with damaged joints will go into space, after all John Glenn went up at in his late 70's. Even if you never get to fly, you could still work at Houston or anywhere else. What might be better for you would be to work for the British and American air forces developing next generation airplanes and spacecraft. Or doing the same thing for NASA, who has vast facilities all over the country, including a huge one in Alabama where I live. The U.S.A.F. is becoming a space and air force right now, and if you have the brains and determination, you may yet even get to fly after all. You should know that people from Israel, India, Russia, France and other countries have flown aboard the Space Shuttle. I don't believe your country of origin would be a problem at all. In the meantime, study, study study and take all the advanced course work you can. Make your education your mission in life for now.

Answer 4

I'll repeat what I put on your last attempt at this question a few hours ago. I would look at the answers on that regarding your disease as someone had a good answer for it.
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I'm not sure of the disease, but if you are getting hip replacement, and you work hard to make sure that it doesn't limit you phsyically, than you still have a decent shot.

Your country of origin doesn't make a difference if your country has a program to train astronauts on its own. NASA has had a pretty good record of working with other countries around the world. However, right now, there is a problem. Being a NASA astronaut does require you to be a U.S. citizen. If you want it enough, you definitely can meet this goal, you just have to move to the U.S. and work towards becoming a citizen before you apply. This may change in the next 10-20 years, but it is a requirement now.

Education is a big factor. A basic Bachelor's degree is needed in one of a variety of fields, though an advanced degree is recommended if you want to stand out. Definitely make sure your grades are high. You're off to a great start with what you have for being in 8th grade. Make sure you're study habits are excellent, as you will need it even more so to pull the kind of GPA in college that would impress NASA. If you can get yourself to the top 10% of your class by the time you graduate high school, you are looking good, or aim to finish with a 4.00 GPA. In college, you definitely want to aim for a 4.00 GPA. It's a lot of work, but that's how you get ahead of the competition.

I would also look at making sure you are well practiced in grammer and spelling, based on the mistakes I see in both of your questions. Now, you're young so mistakes are going to be present. I'm saying that by the time you apply, even when you are doing something simple like posting a question online, make sure you aren't making mistakes. This includes heavy proofreading. Mistakes aren't good on any application, and could be a fatal mistake on a NASA Astronaut application.

If you want to be a pilot, then you definitely need considerable flight experience. You won't be considered without it. Flight experience used to be needed for other positions, but not to the same degree as being a pilot. I'm guessing it still is important, and makes you look like a better candidate. Many astronauts get a lot of flight experience during training.

I've included a link to NASA's site with basic requirements, and it appears to have links to more detailed information. Becoming an astronaut is entirely possible, and is a great dream to strive for. Just know that it takes a lot of work. And don't stop if you apply and get rejected. I personally know one person who got accepted after several rejections. He didn't let it stop him and became involved in as many things as he could while working for NASA as he waited for acceptance. He worked very hard for his dream, and a month ago, he finished his first trip into space...and it lasted FIVE MONTHS on board ISS.

Good luck and way to go on setting a dream. You've taken the first step by looking into what it takes.

EDIT:
I keep hearing this one. The country of origin won't hinder going up in space as NASA often works with other countries, applying to be a NASA astronaut requires US citizinship at the moment. Most of the international fliers are there to serve specific purposes when needed, and some have become citizens before applying. Bachelor's degrees are all that is needed, but it is highly recommended to have an advanced degree. Doctorate is not an absolute requirement (I keep seeing people say this, but NASA does take people with less than a doctorate)

Answer 5

Many medical conditions are disqualifying, including too many cavities in your teeth, so your bad hips probably would disqualify you. But that may change by the time you grow up. I predict space flight will be more common and not limited to only astronauts in 20 to 50 years.

Answer 6

Why not work for ESA it's more up and coming.

To work in NASA you need at least as Masters in Engineering or Physics or a BS plus years of areonautical experience at a contractor.

Unless you want to get into administrative or PR work. Then a businesses or marketing degree can help.

Answer 7

i'm 13 and that i stitch a number of my outfits. I even are transforming into a beginner sewer and make my outfits out of old T-shirts. the main e book that have been given me began became into: era T, 108 information on the thank you to remodel your t-shirt. I decrease to rubble lots, yet on a daily basis I stitch i'm getting extra effective and extra effective. some days I spend extra time on the gadget than I do on the pc! although, i'm additionally in Karate and that i'm exceptionally good at Softball. one element I wish i became into good at is dancing. yet, when you consider that she is a tomboy, I STRONGLY propose KARATE. i'm additionally a medium tomboy, and karate is incredibly aggressive and aggressive. not purely that, it teaches you lots approximately admire and duty. Take her to a remarkable Kung-Fo action picture and afterwards ask her if she would decide directly to do Karate too!

Answer 8

A lot of good answers there I would just like to add this. Don't let anything stop you, that which hasn't killed us only makes us stronger. Oh you might want to contact the E.S.A. the European Space Agency. Good Luck

Answer 9

How about space camp? You would love it and you would learn a lot. The expense may be a problem, but look up the program online.