“6_3_2_16.TXT” (8108 bytes) was created on 07-08-92
REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING AN ASTRONAUT
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 3ACS-83
FOR
MISSION SPECIALIST & PILOT ASTRONAUT CANDIDATES
ASTRONAUT CANDIDATE PROGRAM
M I S S I O N S P E C I A L I S T A S T R O N A U T
Mission specialist astronauts, working with the commander and pilot, have
overall responsibility for the coordination of Shuttle operations in the areas
of crew activity planning, consumables usage, and other Shuttle activities
affecting experiment operations. Thus, mission specialists are proficient in
payload operations and are required to have a detailed knowledge of the Shuttle
systems as well as the operational characteristics, mission requirements and
objectives, and supporting systems and equipment for each of the experiments
that will be conducted on their assigned mission. Mission specialists
participate in extravehicular activities, perform special payload handling or
maintenance operations using a remote manipulator system, and assist in
specific experiment operation at the discretion of the experiment sponsor.
P I L O T A S T R O N A U T
Space Shuttle pilot astronauts serve as both Shuttle commanders and pilots.
During flight, the Shuttle commander has onboard responsibility for the space
vehicle, crew, mission success, and safety of flight. The Shuttle pilot assists
the commander in controlling and operating the Shuttle. In addition, Shuttle
pilots may deploy and retrieve payloads using a remote manipulator system,
participate in extravehicular activities, and support specific payload
operations where appropriate.
G E N E R A L C A N D I D A T E I N F O R M A T I O N
Selected applicants join the Johnson Space Center and are assigned to the
Astronaut Office. They will undergo a 1-year training and evaluation period
during which they are placed in responsible technical or scientific positions
allowing them to contribute substantially to the Shuttle Program and continue
to work in their scientific or technical fields, where feasible, while under
evaluation. They also participate in the basic astronaut training program which
is designed to develop the knowledge and skills required for formal mission
training upon selection for flight assignments. Pilot astronaut candidates are
required to maintain proficiency in NASA aircraft during their candidate
period.
Applicants are made aware that selection as an astronaut candidate does not
ensure selection as an astronaut. Final selection as an astronaut depend upon
satisfactory completion of the 1-year training and evaluation period. Civilian
candidates who successfully complete the training and evaluation period and are
selected as astronauts become permanent Federal employees. Civilian candidates
not selected as astronauts may be placed in other positions within NASA
depending upon Agency requirements and manpower constraints at the time.
Successful military candidates will be detailed to NASA for a time period
established by NASA/Department of Defense (DOD) Memorandum of Understanding.
NASA has an affirmative action program goal of having qualified minorities and
women among the newly-selected astronaut candidates. Therefore, women and
minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANTS
(Both Military and Civilian Applicants)
M I S S I O N S P E C I A L I S T A S T R O N A U T
C A N D I D A T E P R O G R A M
Applicants MUST meet the following minimum qualification requirements.
o Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in
engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. Degree
must be supplemented by at least 3 years of related professional
experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for
all or part of the experience requirement (master’s degree = 1 year,
PhD degree = 3 years). Quality of academic preparation is important.
o Ability to pass NASA Class II space flight physical (similar to
military and civilian flight physicals) to include the following
specific standards:
DISTANCE VISUAL ACUITY: 20/100 or better uncorrected;
correctable to 20/20, each eye.
HEARING LOSS NOT TO EXCEED:
Frequency (Hz) 500 1000 2000
Loss (db) better ear 30 25 25
worse ear 35 30 30
BLOOD PRESSURE: Preponderant systolic not to exceed
140, nor diastolic to exceed 90 mm Hg, measured
in a sitting position.
o Applicants height between 60 to 76 inches.
P I L O T A S T R O N A U T C A N D I D A T E P R O G R A M
Applicants MUST meet the following minimum qualification requirements.
o Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in
engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. An
advanced degree or equivalent experience is desired. Quality of
academic preparation is important.
o At least 1000 hours pilot-in-command time in high performance jet
aircraft (an aircraft having at least 3000 pounds of thrust per
engine). Flight test experience is highly desirable.
o Ability to pass NASA Class I space flight physical (similar to military
and civilian flight physicals) to include the following specific
standards:
DISTANT VISUAL ACUITY: 20/50 or better uncorrected;
correctable to 20/20 each eye.
HEARING LOSS NOT TO EXCEED:
Frequency (Hz) 500 1000 2000
Loss (db) 30 25 25
BLOOD PRESSURE Preponderant systolic not to exceed
140, nor diastolic to exceed 90 mm Hg, measured
in a sitting position.
o Applicant height between 64 and 76 inches.
E D U C A T I O N R E Q U I R E M E N T S
Applicants for the Astronaut Candidate Program must meet the basic education
requirements for NASA engineering and scientific positions, specifically
successful completion of a standard professional curriculum in an accredited
college or university leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study in an
appropriate field of engineering, biological or physical science, or
mathematics.
The following degree fields which may be related to engineering and the
sciences are not considered qualifying:
o Degrees in Technology; i.e. Engineering Technology, Aviation
Technology, Medical Technology, etc.
o Degrees in Psychology (except Clinical, Physiological, or
Experimental Psychology, which are considered qualifying).
o Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields.
C I T I Z E N S H I P R E Q U I R E M E N T S
Current regulations require that preference for appointment to Astronaut
Candidate positions be given to U.S. citizens when there is an adequate source
of well qualified citizens available. NASA anticipates that there will be an
adequate source of well qualified U.S. Citizens.
P A Y A N D B E N E F I T S
Salaries for civilian candidate will be based on the General Schedule pay scale
of the Federal Government, generally ranging from GS-11 through GS-14.
Candidates will be compensated in accordance with prevailing Federal pay scales
based on their individual academic achievements and experience.
Other benefits include vacation and sick leave and participation in the Federal
Government retirement, group health, and life insurance plans.
Selected military candidates will be detailed to the Johnson Space Center but
will remain in an active military status for pay, benefits, leave, and other
similar military matters.
—
NASA-JSC, ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 3ACS-83 FOR MISSION SPECIALIST AND PILOT ASTRONAUT
CANDIDATES, 1983.
“6_3_2_17.TXT” (441 bytes) was created on 07-08-92
ASTRONAUTS & PHYSICAL FITNESS
Several callers to NASA Spacelink have asked for details of an astronaut
physical fitness training regimen. We have received the following response
from the Johnson Space Center:
Astronauts stay in shape by running and working out in their fully furnished
gymnasium at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. There is no set training
schedule. Astronauts may exercise as they wish, as long as they stay fit.
