Selecting the Space Shuttle

[Frumby]

True statement. NASA is cutting back the 'Nauthead Corps. Currently, there is about 90 in the Corps but I'm not sure how far they will scale back. As Space Shuttle II comes online there may be (probably will be) a significant increase in astronauts but it remains to be seen. Budgets are dwindling.....everywhere. Frumby

 

[AviatorMR239]

the other way is to apply for space camp, eat some astronuat icecream, then days before an actual launch fanagle your way on board for a pre-launch test. Then randomly start punching buttons until a malfunction requires NASA to blast you into space in order to save the shuttle. Once you land safely after several mishaps, the job offers should come pouring in.

 

[vegita1220]

After the court martial of course : )

 

[Ryoukai]

^ No way would they court martial you. I mean, that astronaut ice cream would let them know right away that you know what you're doing...not that you just stole it from the gift shop because your girlfriend threw you out and you had nothing to eat...but maybe i've played my cards too soon.

 

[wildflyin69]

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THIS SPACE SHUTTLE!!?!?!"
"I don't know, but I do have this icecream."
"And I saved $200 on my car insurance."

 

[akamifeldman]

"...but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night!"

 

[Daedalus]

Spacecamp was a great movie

 

[AviatorMR239]

there is a third way...

long has it been known that for 20-30 large, you can take a trip over to the former soviet union and after a brief training session (less time than it took you to complete the SATs) you can pilot any number of dated surplus MiG fighters (2 seater version of course). My choice would be the 25 foxbat, close to mach 3 upwards to 80,000 feet... that's SR-71 territory.

but lo and behold, for a few extra zeros added to that figure you too can join the ranks of yuri gargurin and become a cosmonaut (somehow that always sounded cooler than 'astronaut') and blast into orbit on a russian space flight. nice to know that while this is the home of capitalism, it's in kremlin kountry that money talks and bullsh*t gets a ride to the space station.

rest assured if i ever hit the lotto i'll be mooning nasa with my comrad homeboys

 

[Daedalus]

You'll be mooning ass to face cuz all the Russian rides go to the ISS

 

[AviatorMR239]

with the micro gravity up there, ass to face is a common occurance

 

[AviatorMR239]

by the way, here is a link with all the info, requirements, and even an app to go from marine pilot to astronaut:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/marinereg/blmco3700-3a.htm

 

[DBLang]

WHERES THE GOUGE!?!

 

[diver113]

All, don't forget about the two dozen helo pilots in the astronaut corps...

 

[NeoCortex]

And here I thought that the shuttles all had fixed wings. I want to see one of the rotary winged ones.

 

[Flash]

A former Space Shuttle simulator instructor who was a classmate of mine at the RAG and he mentioned that NASA liked helo pilots because they were good at using the Robot arm on the shuttle because of the dual controls, much like a helo. They are only mission specialists though. The only people who can become pilots and commanders are tactical jet experienced types. It helps a great deal if you went to one of the Test Pilot schools, have a doctorate or are an expert on frogs mating in zero G.