NASA goes on recruitment drive to bolster reserves of astronauts-Americans who really did always want to be an astronaut when they grew up have a chance to live their dream, as NASA prepares to go on a recruiting drive.In early November, the US space agency will seek applicants for its next class of astronaut candidates, hoping to bolster its reserves of brave spacemen - in the face of a National Research Council report that warned the corps was getting too small.
"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 Centre in Houston.And rocket scientists are not the only ones who can apply.A bachelor's degree in engineering, science or maths and three years of relevant professional experience are all that is required in order to be considered.
Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet-aircraft, NASA said.
The space agency will not be seeking hundreds of new astronauts. There will be room for roughly only eight to 12, Duane Ross, manager for astronaut candidate training, told FOX.
"The number is one of those things you don't decide on until the very end," Mr Ross said.
"The number will be small - last time we picked nine."
"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 Centre in Houston.And rocket scientists are not the only ones who can apply.A bachelor's degree in engineering, science or maths and three years of relevant professional experience are all that is required in order to be considered.
Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet-aircraft, NASA said.
The space agency will not be seeking hundreds of new astronauts. There will be room for roughly only eight to 12, Duane Ross, manager for astronaut candidate training, told FOX.
"The number is one of those things you don't decide on until the very end," Mr Ross said.
"The number will be small - last time we picked nine."
