HOW TO BECOME ASTRONAUT IN NASA, ISS, and OTHER SPACE CENTERS

The human urge to explore the secrets of the universe has opened up new horizons and new opportunities for mankind and to become an astronaut is one of these. There are mainly four countries that have settled space stations in space and have huge space centers. Space stations of NASA (National aeronautics and space administration) America, ISS (The international space station) Europe, MIR (Russian space station), Russia, and Tiangong (Chinese large modular space station) China have been dreams of many young around the world. Space stations are the space aircraft in the orbit of earth holding a crew of humans. These space stations have become the career dreams of many around the world. Many young boys and girls want to become astronauts to explore life existence on Mars, or the possibility of living amid moon craters inspire by space life stories.

Who is an astronaut?

Humans are studying astronomy through telescopes for centuries. Astronauts and astronomers are observing and gathering the facts of everything beyond the earth’s surface i.e. stars, moon, sun, and planets. Science set a milestone in the history of astronomy & science after the launching of spacecraft. Spacecraft took the humans beyond earth. Can anyone ride spacecraft to explore the universe? The answer may not be positive at this time as it needs special training to cope up with space life in the spacecraft. A person that is trained to handle the spacecraft life and involves space-related experiments is called an astronaut. Also, astronauts work on land stations to unfold the mysteries of nature. Astronauts need to study specific subjects, get training, and pass various tests before getting into spacecraft. Both Men and women have equal opportunities to become an astronaut.

Here is a guide that tells you which subjects you must study to meet your dream of becoming an astronaut. What type of training and physical fitness is required to become an astronaut?

What qualifications/subjects anyone needs to become an astronaut?

Let’s start from elementary or high school subject choices that are the first step to your goal of becoming an astronaut.

Anyone should choose Math, Physics, Chemistry, or Computer Science as elective subjects to pass high school. After conceiving your interest in any of the above subjects, look to get a master's degree in the relevant subject. Mostly the graduates with engineering degrees in aerospace, aviation, a degree in biological sciences, physical sciences, Geology, Astrophysics, Computer Science, or Mathematics are eligible to apply for internships in any of the world space centers. Many astronauts recommend a combination of Physics, Mathematics & Computer science is best at high school and college to become an astronaut.

What other than study makes me eligible to become an astronaut?

It’s the at least 1000 hours of flying as pilot-in-command, you need to complete on any jet aircraft before applying for any space station in the world. You’re looking to fly in space then you must be familiar with the flying requirements before jumping into space.

How and where I can complete these flying hours to become an astronaut?

Flying hours can be completed at any of the nearby flying schools at your place. If you’re serious to meet your dream to become an astronaut then join flying school along with the completion of your graduation or master's degree. Many private and military flying schools provide complete training from flying to handling intense situations. Your experience of flying a jet aircraft as a pilot-in-command is a must to become an astronaut in any space station like ISS and NASA.

What type of physical fitness do I need to become an astronaut?

Astronauts should be physically and mentally fit to bear the long-duration space flights. The qualities of teamwork, communication, and leadership are plus points to your destiny of becoming an astronaut.

What if I can’t join NASA, ISS to become an astronaut?

A million-dollar question here as NASA or ISS is an ultimate dream of every young who want to become an astronaut but the applications for an astronaut position in NASA are just opened for U.S. Citizens. Don’t lose hope, if you’re not an American citizen and want to visit space as an astronaut. Anyone with a scientific approach, research-orientated background, and enthusiast to stand by the space stations long, tough training can join other space stations.

ESA European State Agency takes the applications to become a European astronaut from countries associated with it. The countries associated with ESA are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Other, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherland, and United Kingdom. The European astronauts are trained and send to space crafts under ISS that is a multinational space station.

Chinese astronauts are called taikonauts. Only Chinese citizens are eligible to apply to become taikonauts.

Russian astronauts are called cosmonauts. Here again, Russian citizens can send applications to become cosmonauts.

Most of the countries don't own space stations but many Asian and African countries have their space research centers where they conduct research and training of the astronauts with the help of aviation and air force departments. These countries collaborate with other countries to send their astronauts to space stations. For example, Pakistan has planned to send its astronauts into space by 2022 with the help of China. The Russian space agency is helping India in selecting, training, medical examination, and sending Indian astronauts in space. UAE & Japan are collaborating with ISS to send their astronauts in space. Egypt, Turkey, and many other countries have space centers and space agencies working to fabricate astronauts. So better search space institutes in your country and join them to meet your destiny to spacecraft.

Duties of an astronaut

It’s better to comprehend that astronauts do not only enjoy coffee, gossip, and company while floating in spacecraft as we see in many movies but they are indulged in many experimental and research activities there. They require working on complex mechanisms to stay alive and well in space. To conduct experiments, gathering facts, observing craft navigation and collaboration with other space stations are the duties of astronauts. Before reaching your goal as a spacecraft crew member, a lot of hard work, research, and patience are required. An astronaut should be preparing to leave land people and family for long period.

Here are some answers from astronauts to fourth graders from Pakistan. These kids asked space-related questions on Twitter with the help of their teacher and tagged NASA and the space station. The amazing feedback they got will definitely boost your energies to become an astronaut.