Always Wanted to Be an Astronaut? This May Be Your Chance

NASA has put out a call to the general public for applications
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 13, 2020 8:09 AM CST
Have the Right Stuff for Space? NASA Wants You
Can you see yourself doing this?   (Getty Images/forplayday)

Calling all Buzz Aldrin wannabes—NASA is looking for you. Florida Today reports that the space agency will soon be accepting applications from the general public to vie for a spot in the next class of Artemis Generation astronauts, with a chance to possibly fly to the International Space Station or even the moon. "For the handful of highly talented women and men we will hire to join our diverse astronaut corps, it's an incredible time in human spaceflight to be an astronaut," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine says in a release. "We're asking all eligible Americans if they have what it to takes to apply," a process that will take place between March 2 and March 31.

Those who wish to throw their space helmet in the ring need to be a US citizen; hold a master's degree in a STEM field (e.g., engineering, computer science, biological science, physical science, or mathematics), or its accepted equivalent, such as two years' worth of work toward a STEM-linked PhD; and two years of "related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft." Applicants will also have to take a two-hour online assessment. Those selected in this initial process will then need to pass all physical requirements. NASA says it hopes to make its final picks by mid-2021, at which point the chosen ones will start training. The astronaut corps currently includes 48 active members. (More NASA stories.)

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