So You Want to be an Astronaut

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So You Want to be an Astronaut?

• Julie McElroy
• ASCI 512

2
OVERVIEW

• Types of Astronauts
• Initial Criteria
• Specific Qualifications
• Physical Tests
• Application Process
• Final Decision
• Training

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Types of Astronauts

• Commander
• Onboard responsibility for vehicle, crew, mission
  success, and safety
• Pilot Astronauts
• Control and operate vehicle
• Mission-Specialist Astronauts
• Coordinate shuttle operations
• Payload Specialists
• Other than NASA astronauts special onboard
  duties knowledge of payload

4
NASAs Initial Criteria

• Civilian or military
• Military applies through parent service
• As needed every two years
• Degree in engineering, biological or physical
  science, mathematics

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Specific Qualifications

• Pilot-astronauts
• 1,000 hours flying hours as jet pilot
• Flight Test experience desirable
• NASA Class I physical
• Mission Specialist
• Three years of related professional experience
• Post-graduate highly desirable
• NASA Class II physical

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Physical Tests

• Class I Physical
• Vision 20/70 correctable or 20/20 for each eye
• 64 to 76 inches
• Blood Pressure 140/90 sitting
• Class II Physical
• Vision 20/200 correctable or 20/20 for each eye
• 58.5 to 76 inches
• Blood Pressure 140/90 sitting

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Application Process

• Astronaut Selection Process
• Sent to Johnson Space Center
• Meet basic qualifications
• Further screening
• Interviews
• Medical evaluations
• Orientation

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FINAL DECISION

• Highly competitive
• Training, education, and experience
• Personal Interviews
• Team players
• Highly skilled, unique qualifications
• Self-reliant

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TrainingAstronaut Candidate Training

• Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX
• Classes in Shuttle systems basic science
• Training in land and sea survival
• Altitude chambers
• KC-130 experience simulated
• microgravity
• Maintain flying proficiency
• Practice orbiter landings in Shuttle Training
  Aircraft

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TrainingAstronaut Formal Training

• Space transportation system
• Computer-based lessons manuals
• Single-systems trainer
• - Specific orbital sub-systems
• Shuttle Mission Simulators (SMSs)
• All areas of Shuttle operations
• Systems tasks for all flight phases
• Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA)
• Intensive training before mission
• Jets modified to work like orbiter
• Orbiter approach landing

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OVERVIEW

• Types of Astronauts
• Initial Criteria
• Specific Qualifications
• Physical Tests
• Application Process
• Final Decision
• Training

12

• QUESTIONS????