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From: al@aurora.UUCP (Al Globus)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Becoming an Astronaut
Message-ID: <388@aurora.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 13-Sep-85 15:44:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: aurora.388
Posted: Fri Sep 13 15:44:26 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 19-Sep-85 05:55:59 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 53

I recently received a request from an individual who wanted to become
an astronaut.  He had just received a BA, was headed towards med-school,
and wanted to know what he could do to increase his chances of getting
into orbit.  The usenet path to his machine was impossibly long, I doubt
that mail would get through, and I though the topic might be of general
interest so here's my thoughts:

DISCLAIMER: These are my thoughts, NOT NASA POLICY.  In fact, I'm a 
contractor, not a NASA employee.  This stuff IS ENTIRELY UNOFFICIAL.
It is moderately accurate.

To become a NASA astronaut you must apply as either a pilot or a
mission specialist.  Pilots must have a great deal of high performance
jet aircraft experience.  Almost the only place to get this is in
the military.  Mission specialist must have a BA and five years experience
or equivalent graduate study.  The degrees must be in a science or
technical field. Applications can be sent to Johnson Space Center at
any time.  Unfortunately, I don't know the address.  You should
be able to get it by calling the public affairs office of any
NASA center.

The last NASA astronaut pick consisted ENTIRELY of NASA employees and
military men.  NASA has been, rightly, criticized for this.  If you
wish to complain, write your congressman.  It follows that getting a
job at NASA, particularly Johnson, is not a bad way to approach becoming
and astronaut.  Joining the military seems to work fairly well.  Remember,
no matter what, your chances are very small so don't do something you don't
like thinking you'll get into the shuttle.

Another route into orbit is to become a payload specialist.  PS's are not
astronauts, they fly in order to service a customer payload.  To become
a PS you must work for an organization that has a major payload on the
shuttle.  In addition, you must be able to handle that payload better
than anyone else in the world, or have unusual political pull.  Charles
Walker, a McDonnell Douglas employee, is an example or the first; the Saudi
Prince that flew an example of a mixture; and Senator watsisname an example 
of the last.

A third route is to become a 'citizen observer', e.g., the teacher that
is going to fly.  NASA wants great communicators to orbit and relate
the experience to the rest of use.  Chances here are very slim, but you
might luck out some election year.

Lastly, there is an adventure travel company that is seriously persuing
orbital tourism.  They hope for a first flight in the mid nineties.  
Seats will probably cost $1,000,000 with a $50,000 deposite.  I think
they or someone like them just might do it.  They may have to use a lottery
to sell tickets though.

Bottom line, if you want to go into space you will have to spend most of
your professional life becoming proficient and capable at something that
can be usefully done in space, be a powerful politician, or have a lot of
money.  And be pretty d--- lucky.


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