posted 09-30-2011 05:09 AM               

Editor's note: NASA release (Oct. 3, 2011) added.

NASA To Seek Applicants For Next Astronaut Candidate Class

In early November, NASA will seek applicants for its next class of astronaut candidates who will support long-duration missions to the International Space Station and future deep space exploration activities.

"For scientists, engineers and other professionals who have always dreamed of experiencing spaceflight, this is an exciting time to join the astronaut corps," said Janet Kavandi, director of flight crew operations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. "This next class will support missions to the station and will arrive via transportation systems now in development. They also will have the opportunity to participate in NASA's continuing exploration programs that will include missions beyond low Earth orbit."

A bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required in order to be considered. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet-aircraft.

After interviews and evaluations, NASA expects to announce the final selections in 2013, and training to begin that August.

posted 09-30-2011 02:18 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by alanh_7:
If they are looking for upper middle aged out of shape types with no applicable skills whats so ever, I am their man.

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posted 09-30-2011 02:57 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by issman1:
For the sake of longevity, no-one over 30 should be accepted.

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posted 09-30-2011 10:08 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by alanh_7:
If they are looking for upper middle aged out of shape types with no applicable skills whats so ever, I am their man.

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posted 11-14-2011 11:57 AM               

NASA Kicks Off Application Process For New Astronauts

NASA will announce its process for selecting its next class of astronauts at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA Television and the space agency's website will broadcast the event live.

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Assistant Administrator for Human Capital Jeri Buchholz, Flight Crew Operations Director Janet Kavandi and five members of the recently graduated 2009 astronaut class will participate in the announcement. They are Serena Aunon, Kjell Lindgren, Kathleen Rubins, Scott Tingle and Mark Vande Hei.

NASA will recruit the next class through the federal government's USAJobs.gov website.

The class of 2009 was the first astronaut class to graduate in a new era of space flight following the final mission of the space shuttle. A new fleet of human spacecraft is in development by commercial companies to deliver crews to the International Space Station. NASA also is developing spacecraft to send humans on missions of exploration far away from our planet.

These new astronauts will advance research aboard the space station to benefit life on Earth and develop the knowledge and skills needed for longer flights to explore the solar system.

posted 11-15-2011 12:20 PM               

NASA Accepting Applications for Future Astronauts

Do you dream of flying in space? Now is your chance. NASA is accepting applications for the agency's next class for the Astronaut Candidate Program.

Starting today, qualified individuals can submit their applications through the federal government's USAJobs.gov website. Those selected will be among the first to pioneer a new generation of commercial launch vehicles and travel aboard a new heavy-lift rocket to distant destinations in deep space.

"For 50 years, American astronauts have led the exploration of our solar system," NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. "Today we are getting a glimpse of why that will remain true for the next half-century. Make no mistake about it, human space flight is alive and well at NASA."

Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience. Successful applicants frequently have significant qualifications in engineering or science; or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft. Educators teaching kindergarten through 12th grade with these minimimum degree requirements also are encouraged to apply.

NASA will accept applications through Jan. 27, 2012. After applicant interviews and evaluations, the agency expects to announce the final selections in 2013. Training will begin that summer.

posted 11-15-2011 08:30 PM               

NASA recruiting astronauts, apply online

NASA on Tuesday (Nov. 15) began recruiting for its 21st astronaut class. The first group to be sought in the post-space shuttle era, those chosen will be called on to "support the International Space Station (ISS) program and future deep space exploration activities."

"The fact that interest in becoming an astronaut remains extremely high makes it clear, human space flight is alive and well at NASA," said NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles Bolden at a briefing held Tuesday (Nov. 15) at the agency's headquarters in Washington. "We are extremely proud of the trailblazing accomplishments of our shuttle astronauts over the past 30 years, but with the end of the shuttle program, we're now setting our sights on even more distant horizons."

"We are once again ready to go where no man or woman has gone before," Bolden said. "Some of the astronauts we're recruiting today will be pioneers in our missions to make the first footprints on the surface of Mars."

posted 11-16-2011 06:29 PM               

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Originally posted by tegwilym:
If I apply, will they send me a rejection letter? That could be a cool addition to my collection.

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posted 11-16-2011 07:52 PM               

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Originally posted by MCroft04:
Let's hope Charlie is right.

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Depends on how you interpret his statement. If by "pioneers in our missions to make the first footprints on the surface of Mars," then that is correct: Some of those astronauts will be flying on SLS/Orion (or whatever Orion is called this week.)

If you interpret that to mean some of those astronauts from Group 21 will be making the first steps on Mars, then that's an optimistic maybe. Orion isn't scheduled to make an unmanned flight until 2014 at the earliest. I'm not sure anymore if a definitive date for a manned Mars landing has been set, with all the changes, but given the recent NEEMO mission, it looks like first astronauts will be exploring an asteroid before Mars.

posted 11-16-2011 09:10 PM               

"Graduation from the Astronaut Candidate Program will require successful completion of the following: International Space Station systems training, Extravehicular Activity skills training, Robotics skills training, Russian language training, and aircraft flight readiness training.

posted 11-16-2011 09:18 PM               

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Originally posted by GoesTo11:
...guys like Deke Slayton

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posted 12-05-2011 12:15 PM               

Navy Looking for NASA's Next Astronauts

A Navy administrative message (NAVADMIN) released Nov. 30 announced the Navy will begin accepting applications for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut Candidate class of 2013 at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The Navy NASA Astronaut Candidate selection board #295 is scheduled to convene May 1, 2012. Applications and endorsements are due to Navy Personnel Command no later than March 15, 2012.

"We're looking for people who can perform," said Navy Capt. Lee Morin, M.D., Ph.D., a naval astronaut and former flight surgeon in the Navy medical corps. "We need people who work well with others and represent the agency well, not only to the American people, but to the world. Most important is someone who is a good team player and who's not in it for themselves, or their ego."

Navy Capt. Barry Wilmore, naval astronaut and former Navy test pilot who has logged more than 259 hours in space, said NASA needs someone who has been working in the Navy's operational flow.

"In the role of an astronaut, we do a lot in the design phases of the various programs. But, ultimately, we are operators on the pointy end of the spear," Wilmore said. "And you can receive no better training, I believe, than through a career in the Navy."

The announcement of the astronaut class comes a few months after NASA's last Space Shuttle mission landed, marking the end of a 30-year era of U.S.-led Shuttle missions to the low-Earth orbit of space and the International Space Station (ISS).

The completion of the Shuttle program has opened the door for NASA to continue to send astronauts to conduct research aboard the ISS, and to focus on the next era of space discovery: deep space exploration.

NASA is developing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, or MPCV, to serve as the exploration vehicle to carry a crew to deep space. For travel to low-Earth orbit, NASA has partnered with commercial partners who are creating contract-use vehicles for travel to low-Earth orbit and to the International Space Station (ISS).

"First and foremost, we still have a space program, and it's going strong," said retired Navy Capt. Christopher Ferguson, naval astronaut and commander of the final Shuttle mission STS-135 aboard Atlantis. "We've got four different companies and four different ideas for commercially-run projects. This will help NASA gain some of the efficiencies, cost savings and innovative ideas that come out of commercial ventures, for a better, cheaper, faster way to get Americans to low-Earth orbit from American soil."

Morin, who served aboard the Shuttle mission STS-110 in 2002 and has logged more than 259 hours in space, currently works in the exploration branch developing the cockpit of the Orion spacecraft. Morin said the Orion and the capabilities it will bring to human space exploration is the key to the future of NASA's space program.

"We can return to the moon, an asteroid, or even a moon of Mars. We've only been to deep space six times, in six moon trips, with the last one in 1973. If we're going to go out and maintain our presence in space, we need to go beyond low-Earth orbit, and the Orion will take us there," said Morin. "This is the next step to space-faring civilization and a sustained presence. Humanity is life's agent."

Current chief of NASA's Astronaut Corps Peggy Whitson, Ph.D., said, philosophically, deep space exploration is important and inherent to whom we are as human beings. From a technological perspective, she said, space exploration benefits us here on Earth, helping us maintain a "technological high."

Whitson also stressed the importance of keeping our current presence in space, specifically aboard the ISS.

"The space program is funded through 2020. We've had 11 years of consistent human presence in space, and that program is still underway," said Whitson, who spent more than a year in space, including a tour as commander of Expedition 16.

From the NASA's construction of the Orion MPCV to the upcoming astronaut class of 2013, it is apparent there is a solid need for not only astronauts, but naval astronauts.

"It's a very exciting time for new people to come to NASA right now because we are still exploring space and have people aboard the International Space Station every day," said Cmdr. Christopher Cassidy, Navy SEAL and naval astronaut. "And the Navy is a big part of that."

The Navy has a long and proud tradition at NASA, said Lt. Cmdr. Reid Wiseman, which sets the tone for strong naval applicants to the astronaut program.

"The first American in space: naval aviator; First man on the moon: naval aviator; Last man on the moon: naval aviator; First American to orbit Earth: Marine Corps aviator; First crew of the space shuttle: two naval aviators; The last crew of the space shuttle: naval and Marine Corps aviators; First commander of the ISS: Navy SEAL," said Wiseman, graduate of the astronaut class of 2009. "The Navy or Marine Corps is always poking its head out in the forefront of the space program."

posted 12-07-2011 05:53 PM               

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Originally posted by AJ:
ах, но на этом Rosetta Stone очень удобно!

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posted 01-09-2012 09:30 PM               

What my brick walls did turn out to be were the degree and language requirements.

First, I have a degree, but it's not in either mathematics or science. NASA won't take my education even at the basic level.

As for language, I'm from the deep south so it could be argued that I don't even speak ENGLISH very well. I have enough college German to be able to understand the Nazis in most 1960s WW2 movies, but that's the limit of anything other than English. I have a very tough time trying to communicate in other languages even though I can get by in a half dozen other languages. I don't have what it takes to master any one of them, though.

posted 01-23-2012 11:28 AM               

Astronaut Application Deadline Approaching

Individuals interested in becoming America's future space explorers have until Friday to submit their applications. The deadline to apply for NASA's next astronaut class is Jan. 27.

The space agency typically receives as many as 3,500 applicants for each astronaut class. Thus far, NASA has received more than 3,000 applications since November for this class.

"We are excited about the response we have received, and we want to encourage anyone contemplating this dynamic and exciting career to apply," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center, Houston. "We are entering a new phase in human spaceflight with amazing opportunities to live and work in space. We want the best, the brightest and the most talented mix of professionals to join our team."

Those interested in applying for the astronaut corps can submit their applications through the federal government's USAJobs.gov website. Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience. Educators teaching kindergarten through 12th grade also are encouraged to apply.

NASA expects to announce the final selections in 2013 with initial training to begin that summer.

posted 01-29-2012 01:47 PM               

Here are the shuttle-era numbers for comparison:

posted 05-09-2012 08:26 AM               

AF nominates 111 for astronaut candidate program

The Air Force has nominated 111 Airmen for the 2012 NASA Astronaut Candidate Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

The Air Force candidate selection panel met in April to review 192 applications, selecting 110 officers, ranging from captain to colonel, and one senior master sergeant. Those nominees will compete with other service nominees and civilian applicants for astronaut candidate positions, said Howard Peterson, AFPC assignments directorate.

"Some nominees will be invited to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for interviews, physical examinations, and familiarization," said Peterson. "Commanders need to make sure their nominees are available to meet the NASA interview timelines."

Candidates selected for the NASA program will be detailed to the Johnson Space Center astronaut office for a one-year candidacy program. They will enter the basic astronaut training program, contributing to the development of new NASA launch vehicles and spacecraft, while participating in planning for future human exploration operations. Upon successful completion of the one-year training and evaluation period, Airman astronauts will have a five-year tour of duty with NASA, Peterson explained.

The program is very challenging, so getting to this point in the process required that candidates be rigorously screened and vetted, said Peterson.

"Just to be eligible for consideration, members must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited higher institution in engineering, mathematics, biological science, or physical science. The quality of academic preparation is critical," he said. "Astronaut candidates are challenged intellectually and physically, so only the most qualified will make the cut."

In addition to the right degree, Peterson said, each candidate must have at least three years of post-graduate completion of progressively responsible, professional experience or a minimum of 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command of a jet aircraft. Finalists will be identified in December, and those selected will begin the program in August 2013.

posted 05-26-2012 09:27 AM               

• May-September 2012: Qualified Applications reviewed to determine Highly Qualified applicants. Qualifications Inquiry form sent to Supervisors/References and civilian applicants contacted by mail to obtain an FAA medical exam.

• August-November 2012: Highly Qualified applications reviewed to determine Interviewees

• October-December 2012: Interviewees brought to JSC for preliminary interview, medical evaluation, and orientation. Interviewees will be selected from the Highly Qualified group and contacted on a week-by-week basis.

• December 2012: Finalists determined

• January-March 2013: Finalists brought to JSC for additional interview and complete medical evaluation

• May 2013: Astronaut Candidate Class of 2013 announced

• August 2013: Astronaut Candidate Class of 2013 reports to the Johnson Space Center

posted 05-27-2013 06:41 AM               

NASA’s Astronaut Corps has less than 50 active astronauts and attrition from it has been running at more than 10 a year for the past three years. Although I would expect it to slow down it will not totally stop.

ISS training takes about 2½ to 3 years and so there are about 12 astronauts in active training. A few others will know where they probably are in the schedule and be doing some preliminary preparation. Other astronauts will be required for ISS support roles. Some will be required to work on the commercial crew vehicles and Orion (a number of these will be management astronauts but not all).

I doubt that NASA would want to have much less than 50 active astronauts and certainly not below 40. Basic training takes two years and by the late-summer of 2015 when the new class finish their training the Astronaut Corps could easily be close to 40 if not below that figure.

posted 05-27-2013 09:14 AM               

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Originally posted by Robonaut:
NASA originally said they were looking for 9 to 15 candidates and I expect it to be nearer the higher of those numbers.

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If astronaut selections continue to be as spaced out...

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