Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a NASA astronaut? Well, look no further as we guide you through what you can do to get on NASA’s radar and up into space.
It’s no mean feat being able to survive for months or even years in space in conditions that the body isn’t used to.
From physical requirements to educational must-haves, the list is lengthy.
But, there’s one requirement that most of us can tick off without trying.
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Being a NASA astronaut is a career that many kids can only dream of
Many of us grow up only dreaming about what goes on above the clouds and sky, and after learning about the first man on the moon in Kindergarten, we dream of becoming an astronaut.
However, there’s actually a strict list of requirements and a whole host of criteria that you’ll have to be able to pass with flying colors.
NASA; JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)/Takuya Onishi
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, aka NASA, has released a full list of just what it takes to bag yourself a ride on a rocket up to the ISS, and it might be a lot simpler than you think.
Forget being a rocket scientist, you actually need a bit less than that to moonwalk.
Firstly, it’s important to note that NASA’s requirements have changed to meet the organisation’s missions and goals.
But, the most important factor of all? You must be a US citizen, which seems simple enough.
Next, education really does matter for a NASA astronaut
Now, in order to be a NASA astronaut, you must have a master’s degree in some STEM fields. These include maths, biological, computer, or physical science, or engineering from an accredited institution.
But, don’t panic, as the degree criteria can be met in a few different ways.
For example, you can also meet that requirement by completing a doctoral degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine.
Alongside this, you can also complete 36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours of hard work towards a doctoral program in a field related to science, tech, math, or engineering.
But, for those aviation enthusiasts, you can also complete a ‘nationally recognized test pilot school program’ too.
Other requirements to tick off NASA’s list include being able to pass an astronaut physical.
Plus, you would need to have a minimum of two years of ‘related professional experience obtained after degree completion or at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time on jet aircraft’.
Of course, skills in areas such as communication, teamwork, and leadership matter too, as you’ll be facing many challenges whilst bouncing from planet to space station.
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
How does being an astronaut in space really affect your body?
It’ll come as no surprise that the conditions up in space are a far cry from those on Earth.
From reduced oxygen to no gravity to light being limited, the body can react in different ways when it’s subjected to extraordinary surroundings.
In fact, there are very odd effects that just a mere year in space can have on the body of an astronaut.
And, when a group of astronauts returned to Earth after being up in space for nine months, the before and after photos showed an amount of muscle and mass loss due to the lack of gravity.
So there we have it – it’s simpler than you think to become a space explorer.
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