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1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited 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 desirable.
3. Ability to pass a NASA space physical which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:
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To achieve the first two requirements it would take you many years, but let's imagine you have all the requirements to be an astronaut. Now you think you've completed the hard part, well NASA takes new trainees every four to five years. usually there are 4,000 to 8,000 applications each round, and out of those 35 are selected. this year NASA selected only 8 people.
Ok so you were among those 8 people selected and finally you're going to space, but not so fast, you will have to train for 8 years for one mission. You'll have a rigorous exercise routine every day, train for any possible situation that might occur during your flight, and much more.
Finally you're now launched into outer-space on your first mission ever. You look out and see space all around you, you see planet earth so small and beautiful. This is the best feeling you've had in your life, but wait you're on a mission for months in a small spaceship with other people and you don't have much space to move in. Your weightless and you're not feeling well. What you are experiencing is space adaptation syndrome. It is the first sensation three-quarters of astronauts experience. It can last from one to three days, and the symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, headache, malaise, drowsiness, lethargy, paleness, and sweating. You’ll grow taller since there is no gravity to keep your spinal cord from extending. You’ll have a puffy face and skinny legs because the fluids in your body will be distributed evenly. You can lose up to 1 percent of your bone density which may lead to a weaker body. Since there is no gravity in space your muscles will become useless and very weak, when you come back to earth you must train everyday for at least two hours. After you’ve back to earth it might take you six months to adjust again to your normal life. Now you are finally adjusted to space and you have passed all the obstacles to become an astronaut.
This was not written to make an astronaut's job look like the most demanding and depressing experience there is, but it was written to show the other side of some jobs. people may think that an astronaut's job is fun and games with a celebrity status on the side, but every job has demands and benefits. If you think you have what it takes to be an astronauts then go for it, you might even meet an alien.
We used sources:
- http://www.abhisheksood.50megs.com/living_in_space.htm
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing_conspiracy_theories
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