Become an astronaut: NASA 101

NASA trains men and women to become astronauts and they live a wonderful life.

Have you ever thought of being an astronaut, traveling in space and working there? NASA will be glad to train you if you meet their specifications. The term “astronaut� comes from the Greek term meaning “space sailor.�

NASA, the National Astronautics and Space Administration, was set up 51 years ago by the United States. It has been one of the greatest organizations ever, and continues to do spectacular things to this day. It has trained young men and women to become astronauts.

There are four sections of astronauts that include commander, pilot, mission specialist and payload specialist. The pilot works with the commander in getting space shuttles to arrive and land at their destination. Sometimes the commander is also the pilot.

The commander is the one responsible for the mission, the crew and the operation and the vehicle that the astronauts travel in. The pilot’s job is to assist the commander in operating the vehicle, or the shuttle, and the deployment of satellites when necessary.

The mission specialist works with the commander and pilot in shuttle operations, performs the space walks and conducts experiments, calling on other astronauts to assist him.

The payload specialist is often someone who comes from outside NASA.

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A person who wishes to become an astronaut files a somewhat complicated application with NASA. Over a two-year period, NASA receives more than 4,000 such applications. After NASA examines each application it usually decides to fully explore the qualifications of only 150 or so applicants. Astronauts are federal civil service employees and their income pay is based on experience. They are eligible for vacation, medical and life insurance and retirement benefits.

There are a number of basic qualifications required for becoming an astronaut for NASA. Pilots and mission specialists must be U.S. citizens. Payload specialists may be from other countries. A bachelor’s degree from a university, at least, is necessary. The candidate must have studied engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences and mathematics at an accredited college or university, and must have gotten good grades.

After obtaining the bachelor’s degree, the candidate must have accrued three years of related experience. This experience could be work, or studying and receiving a master’s degree and also a doctorate.

Candidates in general are required to pass what is called a NASA space physical examination, which is similar to civilian and military flight examinations. These are not easy examinations. Candidates for the position of pilot must spend more than 1,000 hours of experience as a pilot in command of a jet aircraft. The candidate’s size is important and specified as a minimum height of 5 feet 4 inches to a maximum height of 6 feet 4 inches. Oddly, mission payload specialists are acceptable if they are only 58.5 inches tall.

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If you are one of the 150 selected from the 4,000-plus who registered, you will have to report at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where you will begin your two-year training period, during which time you will be evaluated as a possible astronaut. This is a period in which you will take courses in basic science, including math, astronomy, physics, meteorology, geology and oceanography. You will also take courses in technology that will include navigation, orbital mechanics, materials processing and space shuttle systems.

An important part of training has to do with land and sea survival techniques, living in high- and low-pressure environments and the use of space suits. You will have to pass a swimming test where you swim three lengths of a 25-meter pool in a flight suit and tennis shoes, and then you will have to tread water for 10 minutes.

At the end of the two-year training, NASA chooses as astronauts between 20 and 25 of the contestants who have done what they consider the best jobs of the testing session. These astronauts are active in space travel for a period of five to seven years. They apply all that they have learned and practiced during the two years of training on the ground, and they do wonderful work in space, work that makes every space trip important and useful.

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Fifty years after NASA’s foundation, it arguably leads the world in exploration and finding new things over and over again in space. NASA’s astronauts have circled the world, walked on the moon, piloted the first winged spacecraft and teamed with Russia to construct the International Space Station. NASA’s robotic spacecraft have visited all of our planets and studied our Earth from space. NASA has been able to peer back into the beginnings of time of our universe and it continues to do more and more. Its astronauts are wonderful, bright and active people.

 NASA’s annual publication, SPINOFF 2009, is ready for reception. Just call 301-286-0561 and ask for it. It will arrive free of charge. I have enjoyed SPINOFF for many years, and you can do the same.

Sidney X. Shore is a scientist, inventor and educator who lives in Salisbury and holds more than 30 U.S. patents.