posted 11-04-2015 09:02 AM               

NASA recruiting new astronauts for space station and exploration missions

Ever dreamed of being a NASA astronaut? Well, now's the time to get your resumé ready.

The space agency announced it will begin recruiting for its next astronauts on Dec. 14. Applications will be accepted online through mid-February 2016.

NASA expects to announce the new class, its 22nd group of astronaut candidates, in June 2017.

"This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "Those selected for service will fly on U.S. made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research on board the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space."

posted 11-05-2015 07:21 AM               

How to make history as a NASA astronaut without walking on Mars

NASA this week announced it would soon begin accepting applicants for its next class of astronauts, enticing potential candidates with the chance to "advance a future human mission to Mars."

But with the space agency's schedules pegging a journey to the Red Planet in the mid-2030s timeframe, it may fall to even more future recruits to become the first astronauts to walk on Mars.

That's not to say there aren't opportunities to make history as a new NASA astronaut. Although there have been more than 365 NASA astronauts to date, there remains firsts to be achieved and all that you have to do to claim them is get chosen for the corps.

posted 12-14-2015 07:58 AM               

Be an Astronaut: NASA Accepting Applications for Future Explorers

Recently named the best place to work in the federal government for the fourth year in a row, NASA is looking for the best candidates to work in the best job on or off the planet. The astronaut candidate application website now is live and accepting submissions through Feb. 18.

Qualifying U.S. citizens may apply online.

NASA astronaut Shannon Walker and astronaut selection manager Anne Roemer will answer questions about the job, and the application and selection processes, on Reddit.com beginning at 4 pm EST today. At that time, anyone may submit questions here.

The agency expects to announce final candidate selections in mid-2017. Those chosen may fly on any of four different U.S. spacecraft during their careers: the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and NASA's Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.

"NASA is on an ambitious journey to Mars and we're looking for talented men and women from diverse backgrounds and every walk of life to help get us there," said NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles Bolden. "Today, we opened the application process for our next class of astronauts, extraordinary Americans who will take the next giant leap in exploration. This group will launch to space from U.S. soil on American-made spacecraft and blaze the trail on our journey to the Red Planet."

NASA astronauts will again launch to the International Space Station from Florida's Space Coast on American-made commercial spacecraft -- Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and the SpaceX Crew Dragon. These spacecraft will allow NASA to add a seventh crew member to each station mission, effectively doubling the amount of time astronauts will be able to devote to research in space, expanding scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies.

Astronauts also will lift off again from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched on the agency's Space Launch System rocket, to unprecedented missions in lunar orbit. There, the space agency will learn more about conducting complex operations in a deep space environment before moving on to longer duration missions as it progresses on its journey to Mars.

To help accomplish this work, NASA will select qualified astronaut candidates from a diverse pool of U.S. citizens with a wide variety of backgrounds, including engineers, scientists and physicians. According to the professional networking site LinkedIn, some 3 million of the site's members working in the United States appear to meet the minimum academic eligibility requirements for the job.

"NASA's mission, and what we need from the astronauts helping to carry it out, has evolved over the years," said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "Some people would be surprised to learn they might have what it takes. We want and need a diverse mix of individuals to ensure we have the best astronaut corps possible."

Astronaut candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Candidates also must have at least three years of related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Astronaut candidates must pass the NASA long-duration astronaut physical.

"The Office of Personnel Management is proud to support NASA's efforts to recruit our country's next generation of astronauts," said Beth Cobert, acting director of OPM. "One of this agency's primary goals is to help attract, recruit, hire and retain the best and most talented workforce to serve the American people. We stand ready to help NASA find and support the talent it needs to fulfill its exciting mission to Mars. I'm proud to help agencies across government shape the federal workforce of the future by providing such tools as USAJOBS, our one-stop source for federal job and employment information."

posted 02-19-2016 11:11 AM               

Record Number of Americans Apply to be an Astronaut at NASA

More than 18,300 people applied to join NASA's 2017 astronaut class, almost three times the number of applications received in 2012 for the most recent astronaut class, and far surpassing the previous record of 8,000 in 1978.

"It's not at all surprising to me that so many Americans from diverse backgrounds want to personally contribute to blazing the trail on our journey to Mars," said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, himself a former astronaut. "A few exceptionally talented men and women will become the astronauts chosen in this group who will once again launch to space from U.S. soil on American-made spacecraft."

Applications opened Dec. 14, and closed Thursday, but that is just the beginning of an 18-month process that will end with the selection of 8-14 individuals for the opportunity to become astronaut candidates. NASA expects to announce its selections in mid-2017.

Between now and then, NASA's Astronaut Selection Board will review the applications, assessing each candidate's qualifications. The board then will invite the most highly qualified candidates to the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston for interviews before the final selection is made and the new astronaut candidates report to Johnson for training.

"We have our work cut out for us with this many applications," said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at Johnson. "But it's heartening to know so many people recognize what a great opportunity this is to be part of NASA's exciting mission. I look forward to meeting the men and women talented enough to rise to the top of what is always a pool of incredible applicants."

After reporting at Johnson, the astronaut candidates will go through about two years of initial training on spacecraft systems, spacewalking skills and teamwork, Russian language and other requisite skills.

Those who complete the training will be given technical duties within the Astronaut Office at Johnson before being assigned on any of four different spacecraft: the International Space Station, NASA's Orion spacecraft for deep space exploration, or one of two American-made commercial crew spacecraft currently in development – Boeing's CST-100 Starliner or the SpaceX Crew Dragon.

The commercial crew spacecraft will carry four astronauts to the space station, expanding the orbiting laboratory's crew from six to seven and effectively doubling the amount of crew time available to conduct the important research and technology demonstrations that are advancing our knowledge for the journey to Mars, while also returning benefits to Earth.

posted 01-17-2017 01:46 AM               

In late September 2016, while participating in NASA's HERA (human exploration research analog) 30-day isolation experiment as crew commander, I received the news that I was selected as one of 120 semifinalists (out of 18,354 applicants) for NASA's astronaut program.

posted 02-01-2017 12:23 PM               

I'm currently one of the 50 finalists out of 18,300+ applications invited to interview in Houston, Texas for the Astronaut Candidate class of 2017.

posted 05-30-2017 11:59 AM               

NASA to Announce New Astronaut Class on June 7

After evaluating a record number of applications, NASA will introduce its new astronaut candidates at 2 p.m. EDT Wednesday, June 7, from the agency's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The astronaut candidates will join acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot, Johnson Center Director Ellen Ochoa, and Flight Operations Director Brian Kelly on stage at the event, which will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

After completing two years of training, the new astronaut candidates could be assigned to missions performing research on the International Space Station, launching from American soil on spacecraft built by commercial companies, and launching on deep space missions on NASA's new Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.

With more human spacecraft in development in the United States today than at any other time in history, future astronauts will launch once again from the Space Coast of Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft and carry out exploration missions that will take humans farther into space than ever before.

The astronaut candidates will report to Johnson in August to begin their training in spacecraft systems, spacewalking skills, teamwork, Russian language and other necessary skills.

The new astronaut candidates were chosen from more than 18,300 people who submitted applications from December 2015 to February 2016, more than double the previous record of 8,000 set in 1978. U.S. citizens in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa applied for a chance to join NASA's astronaut corps and take part in the nation's human spaceflight program. Requirements to apply were U.S. citizenship, a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) field and at least three years of related experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.

posted 06-02-2017 04:39 PM               

Vice President Mike Pence will visit NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston on Wednesday, June 7, to welcome America’s newest astronaut candidates, chosen from more than 18,000 applicants to carry the torch for future human space exploration.

Additionally, the Vice President will tour the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center and hear briefings on current human spaceflight operations.

posted 06-05-2017 12:59 AM               

Welcome NASA's new astronauts! Message from the JAXA Kibo Mission Control Team.

posted 06-05-2017 10:11 AM               

When NASA decided to announce a new class of astronaut candidates, the current members of the Astronaut Corps had something to say — welcome aboard! From down the hall, across campus, out on the road and up in orbit, have a look at the astronauts’ message to the new colleagues who are getting ready to move to Houston and launch their new careers.