So your Student Wants To Become an Astronaut!!!  (4/94)
by Jared B. Hughes

This document is taken from the Spring 1994 issue of Educational Horizons.  To
access the entire document, use the GOTO feature and enter EDUCATIONAL HORIZONS
as the keyword. 

Allen Shepherd, John Glenn Jr., Sally Ride, and a hand-picked select few are
names that conjure up images of bravery, adventure and adventure.  As
astronauts, they probably have some of the most recognizable names in our
country.

As astronauts, (the word means star sailor in Latin) their collective voyages
have just begun.

When the Space program began in 1959 there were only seven such people in the
entire country.  They all were-or had been--in the armed forces.  That was only
34 years ago and since then, much has changed.

Today shuttle crews are comprised of Americans from every race, creed, color
and gender.  As of May 2, 1993, 180 Caucasian men and 21 women, six
African-American men and one woman, three Hispanic men and one woman, and two
Asian men had been chosen to represent our Nation in Space.

The Odds

NASA chooses its astronauts from an increasingly diverse pool of applicants
that, 'looks like America". From thousands of applications from all over the
world, approximately 100 men and women are chosen for an intensive astronaut
candidate training program every two years. "I cannot imagine a better career.
I've done more than I could ever have imagined.  I'm thankful that I've been at
the right place at the right time," said Reightler.

The study time involved is no more lengthy than that of any other professional
career requiring graduate/post-graduate study.  If becoming an astronaut is a
dream, held long and steadfast, than this labor will be one of love.

Early Preparation

The preparation begins in elementary school.  It is here that the foundations
are laid down and then built upon," said Colonel Charlie Bolden, U.S. Navy.
"Start with the basics and get them down first...you can't do anything without
math and science." Students should read everything they can get their hands on
about astronauts, Space in general, and their field of interest in particular.

Other skills Bolden felt were integral to becoming an astronaut were: knowing
how and being able to work as a team player; understanding and appreciating
both your ethnic, cultural and American history; and maintaining a grasp on
current events.

Bolden does not hold the opinion that American young people are less equipped
than their foreign counterparts. "I listen to people say that American Students
can't do this and can't do that.  I don't buy into or accept that at all.  Kids
are just as sharp as when I came up.  It's just motivation that may be
lacking," Bolden said.

It is also interesting to note that out of 195 former and present astronauts,
123 have taken part in Scouting--or 64 percent.  Because of the direct mission
that scouting fulfills it would help to develop those skills.

College

In high school, it is particularly important for the student to earn the best
possible grades for standardized test scores (SAT and/or ACT). It is then time
to make some decisions as to the specific direction of study, such as,
engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics.

What next after students graduate from high school?  "If you do things thinking
that, 'This will look good on a resume' or I'm not going to like it but it'll
help me get selected someday,' you will do yourself a disservice.  You're not
going to do as well as you would at something in which you're interested," said
Reightler.

The "minimum degree requirement" for an astronaut is a bachelor's from an
accredited institution.  Three years of related increasingly responsible
professional experience must follow that degree.

Most astronauts to date, however, continued with career and/or education to the
post-graduate levels and were able to substitute education for all or part of
their work experience requirement.  Admittedly though, being selected could be
a couple years off at the very least.  In the mean time you'll need to eat and
pay the rent.  Besides, more experience can only bode well for the applicant in
the long-term.

NASA contributes funds to 51 colleges and universities through its Space Grant
Consortia. By attending these institutions you are ensured that the curriculum
for Space programs offered will conform with guidelines NASA finds acceptable.
To receive a list of the consortia schools write to: NASA Education Division,
Code FEO2, 300 E Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20546.

Many schools offer degrees in technical fields, math, and science.  Check with
a guidance/college counselor or a good college directory.

Whatever school you do attend--one aspect remains the same--do the very best
that you possibly can.  You will need the grades to matriculate into a good
Master of Science program.  Obviously you will need to center your curriculum
around science and the technologies.  There are many degree options.

To communicate--both written and verbally is also vital to working in the Space
program.  To know history is important to success--not only as an astronaut but
as a citizen.  Bolden (who had to wake up extra early to attend a class in
basic Russian language to prepare for his mission with a cosmonaut in February)
suggests that every American should be--at the very least--bilingual.

"Space is a multinational and multicultural-cultural operation.  Working with
Russian cosmonauts is very difficult if astronauts don't know anything about
Russian culture and their history as a people", said Bolden.

Internships/Co-ops

During university study, as soon as students arrive on campus they should go to
the co-operative and recruitment offices to explore the possibilities of an
internship or work/study position to gain vital experience necessary to be
marketable.  Students who did not explore career possibilities until their
senior year could miss this opportunity.

"There isn't one particular type of work experience that NASA is looking for.
NASA--like any other employer--wants to know how well a person has done.  If
you come from a research background, they'd look at published work in technical
journals, lecturing or TA experience, and also any awards that you may have
won," said Dr. Ellen Ochoa Mission Specialist, and the first Hispanic woman in
Space. "Everyone should have summer jobs.  You need some sort of experience."

This will also help you to understand what the particular companies are looking
for in terms of hiring policies and experience levels.  These students are
often offered jobs either when their internship is completed or upon
graduation.

Application

Once the student is qualified on paper, it is now time to send in US Government
Application Form 171 to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. There it
will be reviewed and ranked according to height considerations (at least
58.5"), experience and expertise (i.e.: geologists, physicists, chemists,
biologists etc.).  Much like other application processes, aspiring astronauts
compete with an average of 4,014 other applicants for an average of 20 slots
that open up every two years.

These applications go through another round of ranking and rating by more
stringent requirements in order to eliminate further applicants.  From an
average of 4,014 applicants, an average of 118 are asked to come to the JSC and
undergo one week of interviews and medical examinations and orientation.

Selection Criteria

Ochoa noted that the Astronaut Selection Board (ASB) is looking for people who
have done very well in a technical field.  A candidate should make sure that
they have sterling recommendations-- especially from undergraduate and graduate
school professors that can attest to your problem solving abilities,
communicability with others and your ability to work well in a team.

The ASB interviews each person and assigns them a rating based on: experience
and potential, motivation, ability to function as a member of a team,
communicative abilities, and adaptability.  Some applicants do not possess the
required interpersonal skills and other requisite characteristics for the
position and are rejected solely on that basis.

A significant number of applicants do not meet medical standards and still
others withdraw after gaining complete understanding of the job.  Based on
information collected during this investigation, ASB will choose its final
candidates and pass that recommendation on the NASA Administrator who will make
the final pick.  Once selected, candidates begin a rigorous training program.

Drawbacks

As with any other career, being an astronaut has drawbacks.  One commonly
shared among astronauts, is the lack of time--for family and with the work
load. "With this job you could work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and still
not get everything done.  You have to strike a balance--that is the key," said
Reightler. "There can be long hours that are unpredictable.  Travel is involved
especially during the busiest times; three months before and two months after a
launch," agreed Ochoa.

Salary

If a student has hopes for a large salary comparable to those in the private
sector--look elsewhere.  Astronauts begin their salary in accordance with the
US Government pay scale at GS-11 (approximately $35,000.) status and top off at
GS-14 (approximately $59,000).

The work is sometimes long and arduous and it is not unusual for a candidate to
arrive at work at 7:30 a.m. and not return home until after 11:00 p.m. "When
you have a spouse and you don't see the Sun on them...that gets tired pretty
fast," said Bolden. "But these are hurdles that you have to deal with in any
relationship in any career," said Ochoa adding, "When you know its only for a
certain time frame and it'll get better after a while, then its easier to
handle.  Its such a good job...you don't mind putting in the extra time.  My
husband and I work it out...but that's a problem working couples face
everywhere."

Most people would consider being a astronaut a high-risk occupation and with
many astronauts going home to a spouse, children, or both, it would be
reasonable to think that the fear and anxiety of those risks would constantly
be on their minds. "Not so," said the three astronauts. "We train for all
different kinds of scenarios--most of which aren't very good.  When you have a
pretty good idea of what you should be doing in an emergency, it tends to
reduce those emotions," said Ochoa.

If the pilot/commander position is the goal then the applicant must also be
prepared to log in at least 1,000 hours of flight time in command of a jet
aircraft prior to consideration.  Most of the current and former
pilot/commander positions have been filled historically by men who have served
or are currently active in the United States Armed Forces. There are only a few
exceptions.  During training all crew members train aboard a T-38 jet.  The
controls are identical to that of the Space Shuttle and therefore, the jet can
be used as a flight simulator either on the ground or in actual flight.

Keep in mind that these are the bare minimum requirements. "The one thing
[astronauts at NASA] have in common is the way that they got here--not by all
taking the same path but by seeking out the things that they found interesting
and doing them with great gusto-- that's what works!" Reightler said.

READ MORE ABOUT IT!

The following booklets are available from NASA, Education Division, FEO2, 300
E. St. Sw, Washington, D.C. 20546

Careers in Space

INFORMATION SUMMARIES

	Living and Working on the New Frontier, PMS 017-C(KSC)

	Wardrobe for Space, PMS-033(JSC)

	Aerospace Technology Careers: The Opportunity to Soar, PMS- 034 (LeRC)

	Astronaut Fact Book, PMS-0011D(JSC)

	Astronaut Selection and Training, PMS-019B (JSC)
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  Via FTL BBS (404-292-8761) and NASA Spacelink (205-895-0028)
