(Image courtesy of NASA)
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring space or travelling to Mars, and who hasn’t, then you might have your chance.
NASA announced this week that it will soon be accepting applications for the next class of astronaut candidates.
The agency is seeking the next group of astronauts in preparation for the upcoming journey to Mars planned for 2020, as well as for future human spaceflights when launches return to American soil.
From pilots and engineers, to scientists and medical doctors, NASA selects candidates from a pool of citizens with diverse backgrounds.
NASA will accept applications from December 14th, 2015 until mid-February 2016 and expects to announce the selected candidates in mid-2017.
Astronaut candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable.
Candidates must also have a minimum of three years related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.
Astronaut candidates will also have to pass the NASA long-duration spaceflight physical.
Future astronauts may have a role on any of four different US vessels over the course of their careers: the International Space Station (ISS), NASA’s Orion deep-space exploration vehicle, or two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development.
These astronauts will continue the vital work of the last 15 years of human habitation aboard the ISS, expanding scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies. They will also play a key role in the exploration of Mars and expansion into more distant corners of the solar system.
“This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet,” said NASA administrator Charles Bolden. “Those selected for this service will fly on US made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space.”
To learn more about a career as a NASA astronaut and for the full details of application requirements, visit www.nasa.gov/astronauts.
Applications can be submitted at www.usajobs.gov.