10

BECOMING AN ASTRONAUT: The Right Stuff

In this chapter

We explore knocking on NASA’s door and private sector opportunities.

It has been said that for most, working in space “is a dream not a career.”

While we realize that attaining astronaut status is a lifelong dream for many, becoming an astronaut is far more difficult than being picked for the National Basketball Association or the National Football League This fact is not meant to discourage, but it is reality. In future decades, we may all have the chance to travel into space. For now, opening up the space frontier remains the domain of a select cadre of people.

DREAMING OF SPACE

No doubt, many of you reading this book aspire to become 21st-century versions of “The Right Stuff.” That was the expression coined by author Tom Wolfe in his book and movie of the same name. Wolfe’s characterization of tough-as-nails experimental aircraft test pilots and the fearless set of America’s first astronauts for the Mercury program created a persona that is still in evidence today.

But the astronaut corps has come a long way since the early 1960s when Alan Shepard was heralded as the first U.S. astronaut. He was shot skyward from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and landed in his Mercury capsule into the Atlantic Ocean on May 5, 1961, rocketing through air and space for all of 15 minutes. While historic, that suborbital trip pales in comparison to later space sojourns.

Today, nearly 55 years later, more than 535 people from some 38 nations have headed for orbit, the majority of them boosted there during the era of the U.S. Space Shuttle program. NASA has selected 20 groups of U.S. astronauts since the “Original Seven” in 1959. For numbers of U.S. astronauts—along with space travelers of other countries—they have take up semi-permanent residence in the International Space Station. Perhaps the dawning of single-stage-to-orbit rocketry may open up the prospect for commercial space pilots to fly between space and low Earth orbit (LEO), taking routes likely to be called the “LEO Run,” for short.

But until commercial opportunities bring the price down from a $45–50 million per person per trip for an orbital visit to the International Space Station or $75,000–250,000 for a suborbital jaunt, the number of private space pilots will remain small and likely to be chosen from retired government or military astronaut corps. Until then, government remains the primary career path.

However, do keep an eye on such private space entrepreneurial efforts, such as Bigelow Aerospace of North Las Vegas, Nevada. It is in the business of providing expandable space habitats. It is looking to establish its own private astronaut corps. Beyond the Bigelow Aerospace industrial and scientific interests, Bigelow modules have the potential for becoming hardware for space tourism and missions destined for the Moon and Mars.

So before you lower your helmet visor to the locked position and get ready to ride a “mountain of fire” into orbit, take note: NASA’s call for astronauts typically means thousands respond to such an invite. A small percentage makes the first cut. From there, further screening leads to a handful of selectees, whittled down by an Astronaut Selection Board.

For example, following an extensive year-and-a-half outreach, NASA announced a new group of potential astronauts in 2013. Eight candidates were selected to be NASA’s newest astronaut trainees, picked from the second largest number of applications NASA had ever received—more than 6,100 people.

That group of eight is undergoing a wide array of technical training at space centers around the globe to prepare for missions to low Earth orbit, as well as deep space missions, such as to an asteroid and Mars.

BEING ALL YOU CAN BE

If persistence is what makes you tick—enough to set your sights on an astronaut career—here are the basics. It is worth noting that the majority of astronauts who made the grade had Boy Scout or Girl Scout training in their past. Quite clearly, individuals who were involved in such programs also acquired character-building traits—some of the same qualities NASA is on the lookout for in its astronaut crews.

College preparatory classes in high school are a step in the right direction. Heavy emphasis on math and science-related courses is a must. Striving for the highest grades possible is an obvious condition. Having a clear direction by the third or fourth year in high school of what specific field you find of greatest interest is critical. Thanks to the variance of fields from which NASA needs astronauts, people skillful in such areas as physical science, engineering, biology, and chemistry are also in demand.

While NASA demands a minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree for its astronauts, a majority of those selected have continued their education to the post-graduate level. Beyond a degree, at least three years of professional work experience in a chosen field is mandatory. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for all or part of the experience requirement (i.e., master’s degree = one year of work experience, doctoral degree = three years of experience).

KNOCKING ON NASA’s DOOR

NASA selected the first group of U.S. space travelers—the Mercury astronauts—in 1959. From 500 candidates, with the required jet aircraft flight experience and engineering training and a height of less than 5 feet 11 inches, seven military men constituted the nation’s premier astronaut corps. What does height have to do with ascending to the heavens? As the first American to orbit Earth, astronaut John Glenn, once said: “You didn’t fly in the Mercury capsule, you wore it.” Space travel has come a long way from single-person, two- and three-seat capsules, then the winged Space Shuttle, to today’s multi-person Orion spacecraft.

By 1964, in fact, astronaut requirements had changed, and emphasis was placed on academic qualifications. In 1965, for instance, six scientist astronauts were selected from a group of 400 who had doctorates or equivalent experience in the natural sciences, medicine, or engineering.

The astronaut group named in 1978 was the first of the Space Shuttle flight crews and was composed of 15 pilots and 20 mission specialists. Six of these were women and four were members of minorities. Since that period of time, additional groups were selected that included a mix of pilots and missions specialists.

Hand-picked astronauts have slid into their seats as part of several human spaceflight projects: The Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (the first joint mission with the then Soviet Union), Skylab, the Space Shuttle effort, and today’s Orion program.

And given the introduction of the NASA Orion spacecraft, the space agency is literally spreading its wings to fulfill new space exploration assignments that require human involvement.

The astronauts of the 21st century will continue to work aboard the International Space Station in cooperation with international partners; help to build and fly the new Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) designed for human deep space exploration; and further NASA’s efforts to partner with industry to provide a commercial capability for space transportation to the space station.

The Orion vehicle draws from more than 50 years of past NASA human spaceflight experience and is being built and tested to meet the on-going needs of America’s future human space exploration program. But keep in mind that Orion is not “Apollo déjà vu” in many regards.

Orion features dozens of technology advancements and innovations that have been incorporated into the spacecraft’s subsystem and component design. Orion’s life support, propulsion, thermal protection, and avionics systems, in combination with other deep space elements, will enable extended duration deep space missions.

On December 5, 2014, an uncrewed Orion spacecraft was lofted atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex on a successful two-orbit, four-hour flight that tested many of the systems most critical to safety. More test flights of Orion, both unmanned and piloted, are on the manifest.

* * *

Here are some general guidelines to consider, according to the latest NASA information:

Want to be onboard a future NASA human spaceflight mission? If so, what is the best degree field to choose?

Among the academic fields considered qualifying for astronaut candidate positions, NASA does not recommend one over another or specify which might be more appropriate in the future. You should choose a field of study that is of interest to you; this will ensure that, whatever course your career takes, you will be prepared to do something that is personally satisfying.

Are there age restrictions?

There are no age restrictions for the program. Astronaut candidates selected in the past have ranged between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average age of 34.

Do you have to be a U.S. citizen to apply for the Astronaut Candidate Program?

Yes, you must be a U.S. citizen to apply for the program through NASA. Applicants with valid U.S. dual-citizenship are also eligible. It is not recommended that you change your citizenship solely for the purpose of being eligible for the Astronaut Candidate Program.

NASA does have international astronauts from the countries with which the U.S. space agency does have an international agreement; Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil, and Europe select the international astronaut. Each of these countries has their own space agency.

What is the best college or university to attend?

NASA does not recommend one college or university over another, or specify which schools might best prepare an individual for the Astronaut Candidate Program. However, please remember that the college or university you attend must be an accredited institution.

Is flying experience necessary?

Flying experience is not a requirement. The Astronaut Candidate Program requires either three years of professional related experience, or 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft to meet the minimum qualification requirement. Jet aircraft experience is usually obtained through the military. Any type of flying experience-military or private is beneficial to have.

Are waivers granted for any of the medical requirements?

No, NASA does not grant waivers for the medical requirements. When qualifying astronauts for spaceflight, NASA must look at not only what is required for normal spaceflight operations, but also what each astronaut would require should serious, even life threatening, problems develop. For maximum crew safety, each crewmember must be free of medical conditions that would either impair the person’s ability to participate in, or be aggravated by, spaceflight, as determined by NASA physicians.

Is it better to apply as a civilian or through the military?

Military experience is not a requirement for the Astronaut Candidate Program. Active duty military personnel must submit applications for the Astronaut Candidate Program through their respective service. After preliminary screening by the military, a small number of applications are submitted to NASA for further consideration. If selected, military personnel are detailed to NASA for a selected period of time.

What is the annual salary for astronauts?

Salaries for civilian astronaut candidates are based on the federal government’s general schedule pay scale for grades GS-11 through GS-14. The grade is determined in accordance with each individual’s academic achievements and experience. Currently a GS-11 starts at $64,724 per year and a GS-14 can earn up to $141,715 per year.

For more specific details on NASA’s astronaut selection program, go to: http://astronauts.nasa.gov/.