Becoming Astronauts

soc1313cer · Post by **soc1313cer** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 10:01 pm

So who here really wants to become an astronaut and what do you think it will take to get there?

Post by **Vincent** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 10:12 pm

Well, I really want to go into space, though every now and then I question how much I really want to be an astronaut...it would require a great deal of work in some things I'm not particuarly interested in (and some things I am)...

...but who knows!?

Space Nerd · Post by **Space Nerd** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 10:15 pm

I fully intend to become an astronaut! It will take more hard work and dedication than i ever dreamed i had in me.

Post by **Vincent** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 10:17 pm

That's the spirit!

uh..yeah...ignore my last post...that's what I meant, too!

soc1313cer · Post by **soc1313cer** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 10:27 pm

I really want to but as you have said it will be alot of work. I have heard that even if you qualify to become one and pass all the test that when they get around to choosing who will go up and who won't that its like drawing names out of a hat. Some people have been waiting for years. While others get chosen right away.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 9:27 am

Actually to give you an idea of the time involved once youve been selected as an astronaut. This is coming from a member of the astronaut class of 2000 who i met recently. You can count on 2 years of basic astronaut training to start with. Then if your a pilot you'll most like ly be put on the waiting list which is shorter than for MS's to make your first flight. During that time you continue training. After being assigned to a flight you can expect 1.5 to 2 more years of specific flight training before you fly.

For an MS the time can be much longer. You finish your basic astronaut training then you have to complete up to 2 years of advanced training for your particular area of expertise. The guy i was talking to was about to start advanced robotics training for the RMS system. Most MS's will either recieve advanced training on the RMS or on EVA's. The Waiting list for MS's is long. According to the guy i was talking to their are still MS's from the class of 96 who are still waiting to fly he's not expecting to fly till 2004 to 2006. And again you still have to complete 2 years of mission specific training before you can fly.

PS's on the other hand arent career astronauts so the only way to become one is to work for a company thats sending up a payload they need someone to be responsible for. And you may have noticed their have been no PS's on recent flights so that wait could be a while .

FatMan · Post by **FatMan** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 11:49 am

i definately be one if i the oportunity came but im not gonna go out of my way to become one id rather be a test pilot for the plane i design and build. as for what its gonna take for me like jason said all that stuff a letter from my psychologist saying i am sane (thats gonna be a tough one) a whole lot of aa meetings or $20 mil to make it easier

ISSpaceGirl · Post by **ISSpaceGirl** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 2:10 pm

I definitly want to be and am going to be an astronaut. This has been my dream since I was in fourth grade and I am currently structuring my life around it (and to be honest my boyfriend). I have a whole long term 15 year plan and stuff. But, then most people think I am crazy and an overplanner. Hey, at least I am setting myself up for success.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 5:46 pm

Well id love to become an astronaut but it doesnt look like my health or career pathwill take me down that path. I would like to work in the astronaut selection office though.

ISSpaceGirl · Post by **ISSpaceGirl** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 6:49 pm

I think thats great. If you can be an astronaut, at least work at NASA. Thats at least what I would do.

FatMan · Post by **FatMan** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 7:37 pm

well jason when i design the shuttle that goes to mars ill make sure youre on there

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 7:50 pm

I'll keep that in mind Marcus. just make it wheel chair accessable.

soc1313cer · Post by **soc1313cer** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 8:20 am

Thats the way I feel to. If I can't become an astronaut I want to at least work for NASA and maybe if I can in MOCR. But no matter what does happen I think it is a smart idea to get a solid educational background in some field of study. That way you have something to fall back on either after being an astronaut or if you never become one.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 11:09 am

Well im studying psychology. Hopefully that could get me into NASA evaluating astronaut canidates.

soc1313cer · Post by **soc1313cer** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 12:13 pm

So I guess we should all go to you to get evaluated. Maybe if were not quite right you would still let us through.

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 12:48 pm

I could probably do that since i'm not all their either.

FatMan · Post by **FatMan** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 12:53 pm

hehehe dude u might beable to let them through but once you evaluate me no chance will i get through i mean really a paranoid schizopherenic who has way too much time on his hands is not a good thing. im schizophernic not multiple personality disorder for those who dont know i dont talk to myself thats a symptom of schizophrenia but it is not just that you can be schitzophrenic without multiple personality disorder

Boomerang · Post by **Boomerang** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 2:24 pm

Well if its true your probably right. But i know i'm perfectly sane my voices tell me so.

Space Nerd · Post by **Space Nerd** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 4:42 pm

LB206
thats awsome im going into spychology too. I love the brain such a complicated object isnt it?

orion8 · Post by **orion8** » Thu Jul 25, 2002 6:00 pm

the brain... complicated? i wouldnt know... mine doesn't work right after having been hit by your book so many times