During simpler days, when sipping apple juice and watching Lizzie McGuire was your prerogative; when you were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up the answer was obvious, an astronaut!
This dream may have been long forgotten, but for anyone still aspiring to become a modern day Buzz Lightyear, NASA has just announced they are seeking explorers for future missions to the Red Planet (Mars). They are accepting applications from Dec.14 to mid-February, and will be announcing the candidates mid-2017.
Requirements to be an astronaut candidate include having a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in mathematics, biological science, physical science, or engineering.
The more advanced the degree, the more desirable the candidate. You must also have three years of responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.
On top of that all astronauts must pass the NASA space flight physical, which includes 20/20 vision in each eye, blood pressure 140/90 or below in a sitting position, and they must be 62-75 inches in height.
Being in space affects balance, stability, and bone structure, so astronauts have to do a number of exercises and learn techniques that challenge their hand-eye coordination. They also learn how to use specially-modified exercise equipment to maintain themselves in zero gravity.
According to NASA, there have been over 300 astronauts to date and only 47 astronauts in the active astronaut corps. They will need more astronauts for future missions to Mars.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said he believes this next generation of space explorers will help the United States put footprints on Mars, and push the boundaries of technology in deep space exploration.