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