To date, 300 astronauts have been selected by NASA to fly to ISS and beyond.
If you've always dreamed of living the life of an astronaut, here's your chance. NASA announced they will be accepting applications for its astronaut program between December 14 and mid-February.
Earlier in 2015, NASA said it plans to land astronauts on Mars cost-effectively by 2039. “This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realise the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, in a video posted on Youtube. “Those selected for this service will fly on US made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space.”
To date, 300 astronauts have been selected by the US space agency to fly on "challenging missions to explore space and benefit life on Earth". While there are, 47 astronauts in the active astronaut corps, NASA says more are needed to crew future missions to the ISS and destinations in deep space.
Expedition 38 crew members pose for an in-flight crew portrait in the Kibo laboratory of the International Space Station on February 22, 2014.Image Credit: NASA flickr
“This is an exciting time to be a part of America’s human space flight program,” said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, in a press release. Adding, “NASA has taken the next step in the evolution of our nation’s human spaceflight program – and our US astronauts will be at the forefront of these new and challenging space flight missions. We encourage all qualified applicants to learn more about the opportunities for astronauts at NASA and apply to join our flight operations team.”
To be qualified, astronaut candidates must have the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics.
- An advanced degree is desirable.
- Have at least three years of related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.
- Candidates must pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical.
The selected candidates will be announced in mid- 2017, according to the space agency. For more information about the astronaut program visit here.
Watch: Astronaut Recruitment
Read: Astronauts reach halfway point of one-year mission in space
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