Slashdot Mirror
Now's Your Chance To Apply As an Astronaut
From reader Leebert comes this notice: NASA will hold a conference this afternoon to explain the process the agency will use to select the next class of astronauts. According to the announcement, "NASA will recruit its next astronaut class through the federal government's USAJobs.gov website. The class of 2009 was the first astronaut class to graduate in a new era of space flight following the final mission of the space shuttle. A new fleet of human spacecraft is in development by commercial companies to deliver crews to the International Space Station. NASA also is developing spacecraft to send humans on missions of exploration far away from our planet." Says Leebert: "I plan to apply, because I want to be able to say: 'Not everybody can be an astronaut. I know, they sent me a rejection letter.'"
Anyone who's got a rocket that will get to at least LEO is automatically accepted.
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
For the lulz.
Sig? Heil
My brother, who is in medical school, and had no real qualifications, applied to Virgin Galactic's Astronat position a few months ago. Here's their responce:
Dear [name]
Thank you very much for your interest and application for the first
Virgin Galactic Pilot-Astronaut positions.
Despite the very demanding qualifications, we had over 500
applications, the vast majority from very well qualified and experienced
test pilots. As you can imagine, filtering down such a large pool of
talent and having to leave out many highly respected test pilots, as
well as a few flown astronauts, was an extremely difficult task.
We were able to invite just eight of this group forward to the next
stage of the process and I regret to inform you that we were unable to
include you. We appreciate that this may be a major disappointment but
it is no exaggeration to say that we received a great deal of interest
from some of the world’s very best and highest qualified pilots.
Thank you for your application and interest in Virgin Galactic and we
wish you the very best in your future career.
With regards,
Virgin Galactic Careers
Why not use the alien ones? They seem to be capable of interstellar travel.
...do you really expect to even get a rejection letter?
I wishi to Boldly go where no man has gone before! Is that reason enough?
NASA pretty much doesn't let anybody to be an astronaut unless he is both test pilot and has served army for at least 10 years.
GOATSE troll.
Understandable -- a lot of the stuff NASA does in LEO is DoD work, and that stuff is more classified than just about anything save the locations of nuclear weapons.
At a very young age I started working toward becoming an astronaut. I studied math early. I wasn't a natural at it but I could do it. I got my PhD in physics at 29 (and a private pilot license). I started seriously looking at applying, but discovered I was three inches too tall. It wasn't something I had really ever looked in to. I was fit and seemed qualified, but just too tall. Something I had zero control over. I got really depressed, gained a lot of weight, and my mom said you're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-air.
This was a test. You should have said "First post! CHOOSE ME!"
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302967000
giggity
You are no disgrace.
Is Jose Jimenez.
I am Astronaut.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5e9_1180667991
Harrison's Postulate - "For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism"
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Some years ago an article described candidates going through the final interview stages. A candidate would sit in front of a panel who would ask various questions, i.e. aircraft programs they worked, their research projects, etc. Candidates describe their activties... then one of the panel members pops the question, "So, why do you want to be an astronaut?" This question typically catches the candidates flatfooted, they usually stumble for an answer. There was one candidate, didn't really know what to say answered, "uhmm, my dad was an astronaut, my granddad was an astronaut. It just runs in the family!" He was chosen (I forgot the name).
It has been mentioned all astronauts are military pilots (70% including mission specialists) so unless you already have chosen that route, then other option is researcher/engineer (the other 30%). Of the latter group, they were already working for NASA (or as a contractor at a Center). Very few, i.e. Mae Jemison, from the "outside" were selected. So if you are rejected but if they offer you a job at NASA, ***take it*** because they are interested in you and want to look at you more closely. This was written about 10 years ago so maybe much has changed. A recent slashdot discussion talked about astronauts probably don't need to be military pilots having fast reaction skills like in a fighter jet these days, much of the spaceflight are very long (i.e. ISS) so a different kind of person is needed.
I haven't pursued an astronaut position as many /. readers know it requires much passion. Steve Hawley (flew on HST deployment) said they look at candidate's records for kinds of work they do, does it focus and lead to astronaut position? A candidate said he has always wanted to be an astronaut but they asked why did he spend seven years with Shell Oil? However, some positions could lead to astronaut. A Navy diver, an officer, observed spacewalking was much like underwater (heck they even train in water!) so she focused her efforts, applied and got accepted (though I'd not be surprised she was first rejected, most accepted have been rejected before).
mfwright@batnet.com
> Says Leebert: "I plan to apply, because I want to be able to say: 'Not everybody can be an astronaut. I know, they sent me a rejection letter.'"
They really never reject anyone; but some receive red T-shirts, specially those with Hispanic names...
my odds of becoming famous are improving. i doubt i will be the first commercial astronaut in space...but maybe i can be the first commercial astronaut to die in space....
I put up my thumb... and it blotted out the planet Earth. -- Neil Armstrong
So, is this a planned, everybody see it thing - or just dumb luck on /.?
thank God for that Physics degree I thought I'd never have a use for! Application process, here I come!
Can I mod something +1 Scary if it's true but I wish it weren't?
How many people will apply just so they can prove to the unemployment office that they are "looking for work"? I saw that in retail years ago. Guy came in, filled out application. My boss was like, "you just want this checked off". They guy was like "uh-huh". Kinda funny to imagine that happening at a NASA complex with all the big hangar buildings and rocket displays.
For all intensive purposes, "whom" is no longer a word. That begs the question, "who cares"?
After all, he fooled NASA enough to get a press pass. Maybe they'll stick him on a rocket and it'll explode under him. All for the lulz.
Duh!
I'm going to apply as a civilian. Hopefully I'll be come an astronaut afterwords.
Hello NASA,
I hereby apply for the Austronaut Candidate position.
I am a Danish, 24 year old guy, but the absence of a American citizenship shouldn't count me out. Here is why:
- Since the age of 3, I have had an astonishing ability to find my way around in the dark. Space is pretty dark. This skill will definitely come in handy. Otherwise I'm pretty handy with a flashlight.
- I absolutely love soup. This is fantastic, since it is highly probable to be on the space menu. I can eat like seven bowls of soup in one sitting. Sometimes eight. Depends on the soup.
- My grandmother always used to scream out; Alexander! GET DOWN FROM THERE! You know why? Because I climbed. I climbed everything. The ISS will be a piece of cake to get around.
- I'm 6'1" and I weigh around 172 pounds (depending on how much soup I've had), which is an absolutely perfect match for an astronaut. I won't take up too much space in the spaceship, and I can reach the top shelf - even when weightless.
- I played ice hockey for 9 years and I live in Scandinavia. Subzero temperatures won't ever be a problem. I enjoy eating ice cream while walking outside in the snow.
- I am currently studying journalism at the University of Southern Denmark. This makes me an absolute master of any language and a valuable member of any constellation of professions, known to mankind - but I will of course drop out, should you pick me for the position.
- As I am an excellent conversationalist, the ride from Earth to the ISS won't be boring. I read a lot and I am an avid quiz contestant, my broad knowledge and social abilities will definitely be awesome to have on the rocket.
- I could bring a keg or two of beers along, if needed. I understand you guys are a bit pressed for cash at the moment.
- I am fluent in whatever language I get to study for 3-4 years, which is absolutely vital for the survival of earth, should I be captured by hostile hesitant aliens.
and lastly, I am a true master of disguise. I can look like a astronaut, a scandinavian, an american, an alien or a goldshoed clown croc kitty (see attached photograph). [Hello Slashdot: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308748_10150340417636211_722201210_9759559_2148778_n.jpg%5D
I am versatile in every manner.
Looking forward to hearing from you, and to our future adventures together.
To infinity and beyond,
Alexander O'Strit
- Witticism is an epitaph on the death of a feeling
...but speaking as someone who happens to work down the street from the Johnson Spaceflight Center (for a major aerospace company), I can tell you that while the approach towards recruiting an astronaut is a little unusual, it is what you should expect for a government job nowadays. Gone are the days of NASA going to the Air Force and saying "give us two dozen of your best and brightest who you think might make good astronauts", and it's a major competition.
Just look at the required qualification just to even get your application looked at (and they WILL look at those applications.) Got an IT degree? Disqualified off the bat. Got a degree in astronomy or electrical engineering? You've passed the first qualification. Flown fighter jets? Good! Haven't flown, but been in charge of hard research or development? That'll work. Pass the physical? Think you can fit into the Soyuz spacecraft? Hey, you've got a shot.
Truth is, I expect 95% of the applications to hit the bit bucket within the first pass. Meaning that I fully expect only 400-500 real applications to have to be considered by NASA, the rest not even deserving the postage for a response. As geeky as it might seem to apply, I know I can't meet the minimum requirements listed, so why bother? (I'd have better luck applying for a position in Antarctica, to be honest.)
Isn't that what they used to call "space tourists"?
The opening is for a deskonaut.
If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv6RbEOlqRo
good luck with that rejection letter - the federal government doesnt reply to application bids unless you are accepted.
"Standing height between 62 and 75 inches."
one good example from history. read about the Gemini 8 mission and the capsule spinning wildly out of control at an increasing rate approaching the point where astronaut would become unconscious. Armstrong fired the correct thrusters to bring it under control, then made re-entry low on fuel and survived. Sometimes the experience pays off, I'd say.
Not to mention the guys from redgate, sending a lucky database administrator to space via https://www.dbainspace.com/ :-)