‘We need more adventurers,’ says NASA after revealing astronaut salary
NASA has been trying to entice the next generation to become astronauts as it welcomes its newest class.
Last Tuesday, the US space agency welcomed its newest class of Artemis astronauts.
The ceremony took place at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
The new cohort consists of ten graduated astronauts and can now be given flying assignments.
“Congratulations to the newest class of NASA astronauts! We are excited to have a new and diverse group of explorers ready to expand humanity’s reach,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
“Astronauts are pioneers who will help us enter this new era of exploration, and we need more adventurers ready to join the ranks to explore the cosmos, including future missions to the moon, to Mars and beyond,” Nelson added.
Following the announcement, NASA revealed that it has now reopened the next round of astronaut applications.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AN ASTRONAUT?
Becoming an astronaut is certainly not easy, but if you succeed, it is one of the coolest jobs in the world.
The role and responsibilities of an astronaut can range from crewing a spacecraft to working as a scientist on the International Space Station (ISS).
NASA astronauts mainly do a lot of research and conduct practical experiments on the ISS – a space laboratory that orbits the Earth.
That said, it is incredibly competitive to be selected for even the chance to become an astronaut.
The last ten graduates were selected from a pool of 12,000 applicants.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, have a STEM background, and have at least a master’s degree in their field – some applicants also have a military background.
In addition, a potential candidate must have at least two years of related professional experience upon graduation, or “at least 1,000 hours of pilot time in jet aircraft,” the agency said.
NASA emphasized that it is looking for competent leaders, good communicators and good employees.
If candidates are selected from the pool, they must then complete two years of basic training, which includes things like spacewalks, robotics and space station systems.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
It is not enough to have trained as an astronaut; a candidate must also be able to withstand the physical pressure of being in space.
A person must be extremely healthy and able to endure prolonged flight physics, which tests agility, body coordination, eye coordination and vision.
Additionally, NASA astronaut positions require a candidate to be a certain height and weight.
What exactly does this job yield? The starting salary is currently listed as a cool $152,258.