So You Want To Be An Astronaut Alan Shepherd, John Glenn Jr., Sally Ride, and a hand-picked select few are names that conjure up images of bravery and adventure. As astronauts, they probably have some of the most recognizable names in our country.
As astronauts (derived from Greek words meaning "star sailor"), 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 36 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 Kenneth S. 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, Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. "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.
Alan Shepherd, John Glenn Jr., Sally Ride, and a hand-picked select few are names that conjure up images of bravery and adventure. As astronauts, they probably have some of the most recognizable names in our country.
As astronauts (derived from Greek words meaning "star sailor"), 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 36 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 Kenneth S. 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, Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy. "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.
Reply
Leave a comment