Becoming an Astronaut in the USA

[Spike_Flair]

Recently I've come upon this idea that I want to be an astronaut. I've always been sort of a romantic and have always wanted adventure since I was young. As I got older and learned more about the world it seemed that things such as heroes were all a thing of the past. I eventually became disappointed with how boring the world is today and began giving up on my ideas of adventure until I considered space. I've been fascinated with the mystery of space for many years and figured that since the world is so boring, I'd search beyond this world for my childhood desire, and so I considered the idea of being an astronaut.

I live in the USA and I remember hearing something about the US Government shutting down the space program. I know little about what actually happened and heard that this means that we, the US, don't go to space anymore. Please enlighten me on this.

Also, let's say I was willing to go to great lengths to get to space, how would one do this? Would I have to move to a different country with a space program? Would they let me join? What kind of education does one need to take part in travelling to space? What kind of jobs in a space program go along with actually travelling into space?

Thank you and I appreciate any assistance.
Trolling will get you ignored immediately.

[DXnobodyX]

Get a shipload of money arrow Post shipload to russia or richard branson.

[Eveille]

What was cancelled was the shuttle program, which means we need the ESA or Russians to get back to the ISS and space in general.

I am unsure what has happened to astronaut training but last I heard was that it was Exceedingly competitive (it is a rather cool job after all), and the training was long and harsh.

[Gharbad]

So they're hiring astronauts right now. [or rather were, you're a week late]
Read the job requirements...

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/302967000

Trying for it means getting a very good education which will serve you well even if you don't get in. You will be guaranteed a career somewhere.

Some downsides...
There could be well over a hundred astronauts but only a handful actually go to space each year.
Even if you do go on a mission, if they don't like you or you screw up you generally don't go again.
It is very political.

[TANRailgun]

Study the ******** out of math and physics, join the USAF and pray that they make you a pilot (HIGHLY unlikely, they have very specific standards, including on height, weight, eye sight, and damn near everything else), after that I think it's an application process.

[iFallen Angel Lucifer]

wat is this all about.....

[Wacko Quacko]

First, you have to be from Ohio.






If you understand this, I applaud you.

[Silver Lux]

Spike_Flair

Recently I've come upon this idea that I want to be an astronaut. I've always been sort of a romantic and have always wanted adventure since I was young. As I got older and learned more about the world it seemed that things such as heroes were all a thing of the past. I eventually became disappointed with how boring the world is today and began giving up on my ideas of adventure until I considered space. I've been fascinated with the mystery of space for many years and figured that since the world is so boring, I'd search beyond this world for my childhood desire, and so I considered the idea of being an astronaut.

I live in the USA and I remember hearing something about the US Government shutting down the space program. I know little about what actually happened and heard that this means that we, the US, don't go to space anymore. Please enlighten me on this.

Also, let's say I was willing to go to great lengths to get to space, how would one do this? Would I have to move to a different country with a space program? Would they let me join? What kind of education does one need to take part in travelling to space? What kind of jobs in a space program go along with actually travelling into space?

Thank you and I appreciate any assistance.
Trolling will get you ignored immediately.

This is what happened: NASA used to be a government agency but now government is not going to be running it. Instead its going to become a private agency meaning there can be other space agencies in the usa leading to compettion which in turn leads to the advancement in space programs and exploration.

And how to go to space? study hard go to a really good school for astronomy and become an engineer or scientist dealing with space or and astronomer. Then get a job at nasa or a space agency and work your way up until you are chosen to go to space i guess... I mean they are not going to let just anyone go to space since each time they send a spacecraft into space, they spend billions of dollars. Maybe way later in the future they might let others go into space, but for now they only send people out to do experiments and researches.

with those words having been said, I also LOVE space and am fascinated by it and want to go to space someday! xp

[ChiRubian]

You not only have to be good at math and science, you also have to be physically able and willing to risk your life for science.

Some of the training that the astronaughts go through is pretty intense (centrifuges, vomit comet, spinny chair thing, etc.) and involves hours and hours of training.

It's very high commitment, but I'm glad people are interested.

I don't see people going back to space in American spaceships within the next ten years. Depending on your age, though, it may not be an issue.

[G-Corp CFO]

A lot of secret space projects are starting off in the private sectors. You should continue your goal to head towards the stars because if anything, you'd go above and beyond your expectations. Your life is short and the decisions made this election won't be the same forever. (":