Path: santra!tut!draken!kth!mcvax!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!mailrus!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!utgpu!utzoo!henry From: henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Re: QUESTION? ASTRONAUTS AND F-19 STEALTH. Message-ID: <1989Apr11.181518.3936@utzoo.uucp> Date: 11 Apr 89 18:15:18 GMT References: <Added.QYEJkdy00Ui30C8k9D@andrew.cmu.edu> Organization: U of Toronto Zoology Lines: 54 In article <Added.QYEJkdy00Ui30C8k9D@andrew.cmu.edu> 344IZDA@CMUVM.BITNET (Jean Hill) writes: > I am a new participant in this discussion group. I would like to > know more about the program for the astronauts in the United States and > the qualifications needed to be accepted into this program... I don't know what the formal qualifications are, but here are some practical comments I contributed to Eugene's seemingly-defunct frequently-asked-space- questions postings a while ago: ------------ Q. How do I become an astronaut? A. We will assume you mean a NASA astronaut, since it's probably impossible for a Westerner to get into the Soviet program, and the other nations have so few astronauts (and fly even fewer) that you're better off hoping to win a lottery. Becoming a shuttle pilot requires lots of fast-jet experience, which means a military flying career; forget that unless you want to do it anyway. So you want to become a shuttle "mission specialist". If you aren't a US citizen, become one; that is a must. After that, the crucial thing to remember is that the demand for such jobs vastly exceeds the supply. NASA's problem is not finding qualified people, but thinning the lineup down to manageable length. It is not enough to be qualified; you must avoid being *dis*qualified for any reason, many of them in principle quite irrelevant to the job. Get a Ph.D. Specialize in something that involves getting your hands dirty with equipment, not just paper and pencil. Forget computer programming entirely; it will be done from the ground for the fore- seeable future. Be in good physical condition, with good eyesight. (DO NOT get a radial keratomy in an attempt to improve your vision; its long-term effects are poorly understood. For that matter, avoid any other significant medical unknowns.) Practise public speaking, and be conservative and conformist in appearance and actions; you've got a tough selling job ahead, trying to convince a cautious, conservative selection committee that you are better than hundreds of other applicants. (And, also, that you will be a credit to NASA after you are hired: public relations is a significant part of the job, and NASA's image is very prim and proper.) The image you want is squeaky-clean workaholic yuppie. Remember also that you will need a security clearance at some point, and the security people consider everybody guilty until proven innocent. Keep your nose clean. Get a pilot's license and make flying your number one hobby; experienced pilots are known to be favored even for non-pilot jobs. Work for NASA; of 45 astronauts selected between 1984 and 1988, 43 were military or NASA employees, and the remaining two were a NASA consultant and Mae Jemison (the first black female astronaut). Think space: they want highly motivated people, so lose no chance to demonstrate motivation. Keep trying. Be lucky. ------------ -- Welcome to Mars! Your | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology passport and visa, comrade? | uunet!attcan!utzoo!henry henry@zoo.toronto.edu Path: santra!tut!draken!kth!mcvax!uunet!lll-winken!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!mailrus!cornell!rochester!yamauchi From: yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu (Brian Yamauchi) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Astronaut Qualification Requirements (was Re: QUESTION? ASTRONAUTS...) Message-ID: <1989Apr11.193317.5242@cs.rochester.edu> Date: 11 Apr 89 23:33:17 GMT References: <Added.QYEJkdy00Ui30C8k9D@andrew.cmu.edu> <1989Apr11.181518.3936@utzoo.uucp> Reply-To: yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu (Brian Yamauchi) Organization: U of Rochester, CS Dept, Rochester, NY Lines: 70 In article <1989Apr11.181518.3936@utzoo.uucp> henry@utzoo.uucp (Henry Spencer) writes: >In article <Added.QYEJkdy00Ui30C8k9D@andrew.cmu.edu> 344IZDA@CMUVM.BITNET (Jean Hill) writes: >> I am a new participant in this discussion group. I would like to >> know more about the program for the astronauts in the United States and >> the qualifications needed to be accepted into this program... > >I don't know what the formal qualifications are... The information below is from the NASA Announcement for Mission Specialist and Pilot Astronaut Candidates. This is available from: NASA, Johnson Space Center Astronaut Selection Office ATTN: AHX Houston, TX 77058 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission Specialist Astronaut Candidate: 1) Bachelor's degree from an accedited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Degree must be followed by at least three years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for part or all of the experience requirement (master's degree = 1 year, doctoral degree = 3 years). Quality of academic preparation is important. 2) Ability to pass a NASA Class II space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian Class II flight physical and includes the following specific standards: Distant visual acuity: 20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye. Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position. 3) Height between 60 and 76 inches. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Pilot Astronaut Candidate: 1) Bachelor's degree from an accedited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important. 2) At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desireable. 3) Ability to pass a NASA Class I space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian Class I flight physical and includes the following specific standards: Distant visual acuity: 20/50 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye. Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position. 4) Height between 64 and 76 inches. _______________________________________________________________________________ Brian Yamauchi University of Rochester yamauchi@cs.rochester.edu Computer Science Department _______________________________________________________________________________