Astronaut Selection

[LetsFly]

Hello all--

I've been scouring these forums lately, absorbing the wealth of knowledge made available by the large number of professional, experienced posters. I also realized that a quick way to get pissed on is asking a question as a new guy... but here I am. I'm a "rising" senior in high school, leaving for the Naval Academy's summer seminar in a week. I have my heart set on being a Naval Officer. I'm here, obviously, because I would also love to be an aviator.

I've used the search function and haven't found anything pertinent to my question. I could also google my question, but I'd end up on wiki-how article written by a 32-year old in his mother's basement. My point is, I tried my best to respect the forum and its rules and try not to annoy anyone... Anyways: my question--

I have a pretty good hold on what it takes to get a pilot's slot. From there, assuming I have good timing and flying abilities, I'm praying that I'll land my butt in a Hornet or even (who knows...) a JSF. From here, the dream is to become an astronaut. Yes, it's cliche. The beauty of my dream, however, is I'm okay if it doesn't happen -- I'm content being a SWO, sub guy, helo pilot, etc. But, assuming I get into USNA and get a jet slot, what advice do you have to make me most competitive for an astronaut slot? I'm planning on majoring in aero engineering at Annapolis. Should I get a Master's right out of school? Etc...

I'm aware it's far-fetched and there are an infinite amount of things that can go wrong, but I would greatly appreciate any help from current Aviators that know the ropes of becoming a test pilot/astronaut candidate.

Thanks! Hope I posted this in the right section.

-Let'sFly

 

[helolumpy]

Since you're looking WAY down the road, he's the best advice from someone who has NOT been there done that.
1) Major in an Engineering
2) Graduate with Honors
3) Get jets
4) Graduate from Test Pilot School
5) Hope and pray the the gov't is still in the astronaut business in 15 years and it hasn't been completely out-sourced.

 

[CumminsPilot]

Since you're looking WAY down the road, he's the best advice from someone who has NOT been there done that.
1) Major in an Engineering
2) Graduate with Honors
3) Get jets
4) Graduate from Test Pilot School
5) Hope and pray the the gov't is still in the astronaut business in 15 years and it hasn't been completely out-sourced.

IF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT IS NO LONGER IN ASTRONAUT BUSINESS:

6) Exit active duty military service, and with good enough credentials (jet hours/TPS graduate) apply and be hired by civilian space company named SpaceX.


And just so you realize, it's an infinitely longer and harder road then anyone can ever explain in words.

 

[jmcquate]

Go the the NASA website and read the Astronaut bios. They will give you a sense of what type of people NASA is/was looking for. What helolumpy said is true for Mission Commander/Pilot for the STS. The Mission Specialists come from all types of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) disciplines.

 

[scoolbubba]

Sustained Superior Performance, my friend.

 

[Uncle Fester]

The traditional path for a Navy astronaut is Test Pilot School (after at least one operational Fleet tour), followed by a tour in the VX squadrons. An engineering background will help you get to TPS.

It's not required to be a jet guy. I've got several E-2 guys in my office who were just picked up as AsCans.

So, Cummins, please break your news to them gently, as NASA and the Navy are apparently Punking them.

 

[MasterBates]

Hummers in space?
I can only imagine their 2P board questions.


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[SynixMan]

Speak Russian

 

[Swanee]

Hummers in space?
I can only imagine their 2P board questions.


Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

I think I saw a movie about this. I'm pretty sure your friend Puma Swede was in it. Though I could have been mistaken...

 

[NavAir42]

Since you're looking WAY down the road, he's the best advice from someone who has NOT been there done that.
1) Major in an Engineering
2) Graduate with Honors
3) Get jets
4) Graduate from Test Pilot School
5) Hope and pray the the gov't is still in the astronaut business in 15 years and it hasn't been completely out-sourced.

6) then get really, really, lucky.

 

[ea6bflyr]

Here is the BUPERSINST 1401.4E, which defines the minimum requirements to even submit an application.

-ea6bflyr

 

[jmcquate]

There's also a bubblehead pipeline for Mission Specialist.

 

[LetsFly]

There's also a bubblehead pipeline for Mission Specialist.

What would a bubblehead do in space? In my limited knowledge, I figured they mainly dealt with nuclear engineering, etc.

Here is the BUPERSINST 1401.4E, which defines the minimum requirements to even submit an application.

-ea6bflyr

thank you! very helpful link. As was looking at astronaut bios. Shame I probably won't have an opportunity to see air combat ;(

 

[jmcquate]

What would a bubblehead do in space? In my limited knowledge, I figured they mainly dealt with nuclear engineering, etc.




thank you! very helpful link. As was looking at astronaut bios. Shame I probably won't have an opportunity to see air combat ;(

Space flight and long deployments on a sub are very similar, except for the micro gravity.

 

[C420sailor]

Is an engineering major required to be competitive? I know it's not a hard and fast requirement for TPS...