Astronauts

Career summary

Astronauts operate and work aboard spacecraft and the space station.

In July 2011, NASA ended its Space Shuttle program with the landing of the shuttle Atlantis. It is still possible to become an astronaut and work on the International Space Station or in the private sector. Other countries still send astronauts to the space station as well.

Before astronauts go to space, they spend years in training. They use machines and mockups that simulate spacecraft and the International Space Station. For example, one machine simulates the vibrations, noises, and views of a launch and landing.

While in space, astronauts work aboard spacecraft and the space station. They run experiments, repair the International Space Station, and maintain spacecraft. Crews also release, capture, or repair satellites. Astronauts spend six to nine months on the space station.

Space station crews conduct research, conduct medical experiments, and maintain the station. Station crews research bioastronautics, spaceflight, physical and Earth sciences, space biology, and space product development.

Astronauts also conduct experiments on themselves while in space. They monitor the stresses of extended microgravity and its effects on their bodies. These experiments help predict and prevent negative, long-term effects that might harm future crews on deep space missions, such as to Mars.

The astronauts' mission continues after they return to Earth. Typically, the crew spends several days in medical testing and debriefing. They share their experiences to assist in future training and to add to space flight knowledge. They also meet with the media to discuss the flight.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

Training

The requirements below were for the recruitment of shuttle astronauts. Requirements may change as NASA's needs change. Requirements for the private sector vary.

Applicants to the Astronaut Candidate Program must meet the following minimum requirements. Requirements may be met in one of two ways:

Astronaut Candidate (non-piloting background)

be a US citizen;
have a high school diploma or equivalent;
have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics;
complete at least three years of related professional experience following attainment of degree; and
pass a NASA space physical.

Astronaut Candidate (piloting background)

be a US citizen;
have a high school diploma or equivalent;
have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics;
complete at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft; and
pass a NASA space physical.

Personal interviews, medical screening, and orientation are required for applicants under final consideration. Further interviews and a complete medical evaluation are conducted prior to selection. Because several thousand people submit applications, only a few hundred applicants are selected for interviews.

Education after high school

A bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or math is required. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience. A master's degree equals one year of experience and a doctoral degree equals three years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K-12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with NASA while in college. Students at all collegiate levels can participate in opportunities offered at each of NASA's ten field centers. An internship offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. An internship also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

Selected applicants are designated Astronaut Candidates and are assigned to the Astronaut Office at the Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas. Astronaut candidates are trained and evaluated for two years. During this time, they participate in the basic Astronaut Candidate training program. This program was designated to develop the knowledge and skills required for formal mission training. Astronaut Candidates (piloting background) maintain proficiency in NASA aircraft during their candidate period. These program characteristics may change given future program developments.

Selection as an Astronaut Candidate does not ensure selection as an astronaut. Final selection as an astronaut depends upon satisfactory completion of the training and evaluation period. Applicants who successfully complete candidate training and are selected as finalists, then begin formal training.

Military training

The military trains people to be airplane pilots, airplane navigators, and helicopter pilots. You need a bachelor's degree to enter any of these training programs. Training lasts two years for airplane pilots and one to two years for helicopter pilots. Airplane navigators receive six to 12 months of training.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum (external link) may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Algebra
Astronomy
Biology
Computer Applications
Physical Science
Physics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups (PDF file) that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Although not required for all astronauts, it is helpful to have some flying experience. This experience may be gained either in the military or through private lessons.
Training to become an astronaut is very demanding. Space programs accept a limited number of people as astronaut trainees. Applicants must pass physical and psychological examinations. They also submit to regular exams to ensure that they are fit for the job. These exams include stress tests to determine whether or not the candidate will be able to handle the unique conditions of space.
Long-duration missions, such as those aboard the International Space Station, generally last six months. Training for long duration missions is very arduous and takes approximately two to three years. This training requires extensive travel, including long periods in other countries for training with NASA's international partners. Most applicants learn Russian as part of this training.
Astronauts must be good at working cooperatively with people in cramped spaces.
Spacecraft and station crews put in a lot of work hours when they are in space. The average workday for an astronaut in space is 16 hours, and they are on-call 24 hours a day.

Other resources

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
800.872.2672
301.695.2000

American Association for the Advancement of Science
1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC20005

American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
301.209.3100

Careers in Space: A Universe of Options

Discover Engineering

Engineer Girl!
National Academy of Engineering

Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20591
866.835.5322

Museum of Flight
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle, WA 98108
206.764.5700

National Academy of Sciences Interviews

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Astronaut Biographies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Astronaut Selection

National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Fact Sheet Library

National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Grades 9-12

Society of Women Engineers
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

References

Career cluster

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

Investigative (Science)

O*Net job zone

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

COPSystem

Technology Professional