Career As An Astronaut

The word astronaut was derived from the Greek word “star sailor”. An astronaut is someone who mans a space shuttle for its journey into space.

The Job

If you become an astronaut in the next 15 years or so, you'll probably land on the International Space Station, an orbiting laboratory/dormitory more than 200 miles (330 kilometers) above Earth. Astronauts will spend at least three to four months growing plants, making crystals and performing other experiments in near-zero gravity.

There are two different types of astronauts:

1.    Flight engineers (formerly called "pilot astronauts") and commanders

• Flight Engineers / pilots fly the shuttle and navigate the space station.
• The commander has onboard responsibility for the vehicle, crew, mission success and safety of flight.
• The flight engineer/pilot assists the commander in controlling and operating the vehicle. In addition,
• The flight engineer/pilot may assist in the deployment and retrieval of satellites utilizing the remote manipulator system, in extravehicular activities, and in other payload operations.

2.    Astronaut researchers (formerly called "mission specialists")

• Have overall responsibility for the coordination of Shuttle operations in the areas of crew activity planning, consumables usage, and experiment and payload operations.
• Are required to have a detailed knowledge of Shuttle systems, as well as detailed knowledge of the operational characteristics, mission requirements and objectives, and supporting systems and equipment for each payload element on their assigned missions.
• Perform extravehicular activities, payload-handling using the remote manipulator system, and perform or assist in specific experiment operations.
• Conduct scientific experiments in space and perform spacewalks.

 

Also take care of chores like checking the computer systems, heating up food and housecleaning.
While in training, astronauts work in space shuttle-like conditions for long hours during the day. The work is sometimes long and arduous and it is not unusual for a candidate to arrive at work at 7:30 a.m. and not return home until after 11:00 p.m. One commonly shared complaint among astronauts is the lack of time for family and other activities.

 

Personality Traits

• Keenly interested in science and new scientific frontiers
• Knowledgeable about space sciences and technology
• Hard working and patient
• Able to communicate and get along with people with varied personality and interests
• Able to spend long hours by oneself absorbed in a project
• Risk taker

 

Job Prospects

While there are many jobs for space researchers, scientists and engineers, in today’s world US is the only country that sends astronauts into space regularly. NASA selects astronauts after a rigorous selection process. About 4000 applicants are reviewed and ranked by the Astronaut Selection Board, according to height considerations, experience and expertise (i.e. geologists, physicists, chemists, biologists etc.), ability to function as a member of a team, communicative abilities, and adaptability. About 20 men and women are chosen from among engineers and scientists every two years or so. All candidates must be US citizens.
The US Astronaut Corps today has less than 200 men and women.

If India sends out another manned space mission, the astronaut will most likely be chosen from the Armed Forces, possibly the Air Force. The first 36 US astronauts were all from the US Armed Forces.

On an average, becoming an astronaut takes over 20 years of preparation after college. It is truly a labour of love.

Salary

Astronauts are paid by the government of the country they work in and hence are on government pay scales.

• Astronauts begin their salary in accordance with the US Government pay scale at GS-11 (approximately $39,000.) status and top off at GS-14 (approximately $78,000).
• In India, too, astronauts would be paid in accordance with the Fifth Pay Commission.

Study Routes/ Eligibility

As mentioned above, the next Indian astronaut, as and when India sends out another manned space mission, will be probably from the Armed Forces. But given the unpredictability of India’s space program, this is hardly a reliable route to becoming as astronaut.

A Flight Engineer / Pilot Astronaut Candidate at NASA is required to have:
1.    A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important.

2.    At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable.

3.    Ability to pass a NASA space physical which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:

• Distant visual acuity: 20/70 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye.
• Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position.

4.    Height between 64 and 76 inches.

An Astronaut Researcher / Mission Specialist Candidate at NASA is required to have:

1. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics.
2. At least three years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for part or all of the experience requirement (master's degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience). Quality of academic preparation is important.
3. Ability to pass a NASA space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:
4. Distance visual acuity: 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye.
5. Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position.
6. Height between 58.5 and 76 inches.

The following degree fields, while related to engineering and the sciences, are not considered qualifying for either engineers or researchers:

• Degrees in Technology (Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc.)
• Degrees in Psychology (except for Clinical Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Experimental Psychology which are qualifying).
• Degrees in Nursing.
• Degrees in Exercise Physiology or similar fields
• Degrees in Social Sciences (Geography, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.).
• Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields.

It is also interesting to note that out of 195 former and present astronauts in the US, 123 have taken part in Scouting. Because of the direct mission that scouting fulfills it would help to develop those skills.

General Advice from astronauts:

• Follow what you're interested in rather than trying to cram yourself into the astronaut mold. You never know what skills will be relevant in space.
• Stay in shape and learn to swim. During your first month of training, you'll swim three lengths of an Olympic-size swimming pool in a flightsuit and sneakers!
• Avoid run-ins with the law. A criminal record will keep you out of the Corp.

Best Places to Study

 

Leading colleges offering a 4 year undergraduate degree to students after 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Maths are:

• Indian Institutes of Technology, including Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
• Punjab Engineering Colleges (limited seats)
• U.P. Engineering Colleges (limited seats)
• School of Mines, Dhanbad
• Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, Bihar
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, Rajasthan
• University of Roorkee, U.P.
• Regional Engineering Colleges
• Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal
• Annamallai University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology.
• Naval College of Engineering
• National Dairy Institute, Karnal, Punjab
• Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P.

The following institutes in India provide postgraduate education in astronomy and astrophysics:

• Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Raman Research Institute, Bangalore
• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune
• National Centre for Radio Astronomy, Pune

NASA contributes funds to 51 colleges and universities through its Space Grant Consortia. By attending these institutions you are ensured that the curriculum for Space programs offered would conform to guidelines NASA finds acceptable. To receive a list of the consortia schools write to: NASA Education Division, Code FEO2, and 300 E Street S.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546.

College Overseas for education in astronomy
US

• Pomona College
• Williams College Astronomy
• University Of Maryland
• Goshen College
• Eberly College of Science
• Johns Hopkins University

UK

• Queen Mary University of London
• Westfield College
• University of Manchester
• Mullard Space science Laboratory

Australia

• University of Sydney
• Unviversity of Tasmania
• Monash University
• University of New South Wales
• University of Melbourne
• University of Queensland

Source: Compass One

Date: 4th Nov., 2009

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