Astronaut candidates

[garf12]

OH wow, I just went over to NASA to check out some of the BIO's anyone seen the videos up at the top of the main page with people welcoming you to the site. Well first time I got Buzz Aldrin, and the second time around I got some deaf chick who I couldnt understand a word from. Wow.

 

[G100F16]

I'm 21 and tryin to get that ASEL.... looking at USAF/USN OCS as a possibility down the road, but I'd need eye surgery and/or a vision waiver. Even if I was medically qualified, I wouldn't say I'm dying to fly in space, but I was interested in the quals nevertheless. Definitely some high-caliber folks. I'd love to hear comments from your friend at some point when he has a chance. I appreciate it.

9G,

Passed your question to my buddy at NASA. Said to tell you, sorry - has too many pots on the stove to pitch in on this topic (he's the CAPCOM for July 13th mission). He did, however, come check out the comments and said he got a few chuckles at some of our comments...HA!

He and I did the USAFA thing. He was a math major, I was originally Engineering Sciences (aero track) - but later downgraded to General Engr. My advisor (who went on to USAF TPS and Msn Specialist) told me that I was 'closing the door, somewhat' on being an astronaut. So....if rules are the same...I'd plan on a technical BS degree, if available...a technical MS degree... shoot toward USN or USAF TPS via any route. My buddy did F16s too, but not sure if that got him to NASA ahead of any other TPS students. He also is fluent in a couple foreign languages and did exchange tours with other countries (while at USAFA).

Pretty darn competitive. I think I remember hearing only 2% of TPS grads get picked up for NASA....and it's crazy hard just to get into TPS, from my understanding.

Cheers and hope that helps.......

 

[Huggyu2]

I don't know the stats now, but when Challenger Commander Col Scobee got picked up for the Shuttle, he was the first non-fighter pilot to get a Shuttle pilot slot.

 

[FlyWithSean]

Yeah but what would pay and quality of life in space be like psysicx?

 

[9GClub]

G100F16,

Thanks man, I appreciate it.

STS-114 CAPCOM is a decent excuse I guess..... hahaa.

 

[Mongoose69]

Road to Astronaut

9G (and any other like minded lurkers out there)

My advice to you is just take it one step at a time.

I was in a similar situation as you my junior year in College, and I took the leap. I did the same thing re. looking at Astronaut bio's and noticed the TPS trend as well. But here's how I viewed it:

I got picked up for (AF) OTS _with_ a pilot slot and medically cleared before I ever signed anything. If you've already passed the ROTC/Academy gate by, then I highly recommend OTS. After that...

Shooting for fighters, because most of the Astronauts are fighter pilots. If I don't get it, I'm still a pilot - oh darn.

Got picked up for T-38s. Shooting for a fast mover, cause most of the astronauts are fast mover pilots. If I don't get it, I'm still a fighter pilot - oh darn.

Got picked up for the mighty Strike Eagle. Shooting for TPS, because almost all of the astronauts are TPS grads. If I don't get it, I'm still a (fast) fighter pilot - oh darn.

Got picked up for TPS - and that's where I stand now. Class starts in Jan. Shooting for Astronaut, if I don't get it - oh darn, I'm a Test Pilot.

And I honestly would have been happy if my road ended at any of those 'oh darn' places above.

As long as you are truly happy doing whatever you do, you can't go wrong. And as long as there is some air between my a$$ and the ground - I'm a happy camper.

Cheers,
Jason

 

[GVFlyer]

The Astronaut Program is open to all services - all but two of the 12 classes since the beginning of the shuttle program have included Army pilots.

To say that the program is very political is an understatement. One of my friends who is a flight surgeon, a family practice physician and an engineer was admitted to the program, married a NASA physiologist and spent four years at Houston before he was dismissed from the program because his "personality was inconsistent with the NASA image."

Gulfstream has an astronaut, Blaine Hammond. He has 542 hours in the shuttle and two landings. We give him crap for never getting current.

GV

 

[hindsight2020]

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[GVFlyer]

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I read it. Good idea deleting it...

GV

 

[skiddriver]

GVFlyer,

How did you get the XV-15 time? I could never get NAVAIR and Bell to agree to let me get in the seat?

 

[GVFlyer]

GVFlyer,

How did you get the XV-15 time? I could never get NAVAIR and Bell to agree to let me get in the seat?

It was a combination of unique qualifications, superior skills and knee pads.

GV

 

[Hogprint]

GVflyer said:

The Astronaut Program is open to all services - all but two of the 12 classes since the beginning of the shuttle program have included Army pilots.

Hey GV,

Were any of those army green guys mission commanders? I remember seeing plenty of type on mission specialists and the sort, even maybe a couple of FS types but not a commander.

On another note, when I was stationed at Biggs, we would have lunch with some of the guys training at White Sands. An impressive group to say the least!

Good job and happy fourth!!!