Hey, all you engineers! Want to go to Mars
Your big chance could be here.
NASA announced today that it is looking for its next class of astronaut candidates. While the space agency is hoping to find scientists, medical doctors and pilots, it needs engineers, too.
"This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden on the NASA website. "Those selected for this service will fly on U.S. made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space."
This next class of astronauts can expect to launch into space on U.S.-made commercial spacecraft or on NASA's own Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.
Some may work on the space station, while others may be chosen to fly to an asteroid or Mars. NASA is committed to sending astronauts to the Red Planet in the 2030s.
NASA will accept astronaut applications between Dec. 14 and mid-February. Candidates will be announced in mid-2017, according to the agency. Applications can be submitted at USAjobs.gov, the federal government's job listings site.
NASA said it is looking for potential astronauts from what it calls a "diverse pool of U.S. citizens with a wide variety of backgrounds." Applicants do not need to be pilots, though that does help. A bachelor's degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering and math) is required, and an advanced degree is a plus.
One of the things NASA is looking for, though, are applicants with a background in engineering.
For instance, the basic requirements for a potential astronaut pilot include a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. For a mission specialist, NASA is looking for applicants with a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics.
There is no age requirement, although the average age has been 34, nor is a military background required. Candidates must also pass NASA's spaceflight physical.