First I want to tell you that there are three types of astronauts.
These are:
1. Commander/pilot
2. Mission specialist
3. Payload specialist
The commander is responsible for the mission, the crew and the vehicle. The pilot assists the commander in operating the vehicle and deploying satellites.
The mission specialist works with the commander and pilots in shuttle operations, performs spacewalks and conducts experiments.
The payload specialist performs specialized duties as the mission requires. Payload specialists are people other than NASA personnel, and some are foreign nationals.
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before submitting an application.Applicants may meet the minimum requirements in one of two ways:
Astronaut Candidate (Non-Piloting background)
1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Quality of academic preparation is important. Degree must be followed by at least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: master’s degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K - 12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply.
2. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, which includes the following specific requirements:
—Distant visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
(NOTE: For those applicants under final consideration, additional visual screening will be performed to include the following standards: refractive error (distant vision)-cycloplegic refractive error must be between +5.50 and -5.50 diopters in any meridian. Astigmatism may require up to 3.00 diopters of cylinder correction. Anisometropia of up to 3.50 diopters. You are not required to provide this information with your initial application. We will request it later if needed.)
-Near visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are now allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.
-Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position
-Standing height between 62 and 75 inches
These are:
1. Commander/pilot
2. Mission specialist
3. Payload specialist
The commander is responsible for the mission, the crew and the vehicle. The pilot assists the commander in operating the vehicle and deploying satellites.
The mission specialist works with the commander and pilots in shuttle operations, performs spacewalks and conducts experiments.
The payload specialist performs specialized duties as the mission requires. Payload specialists are people other than NASA personnel, and some are foreign nationals.
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before submitting an application.Applicants may meet the minimum requirements in one of two ways:
Astronaut Candidate (Non-Piloting background)
1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Quality of academic preparation is important. Degree must be followed by at least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: master’s degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K - 12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply.
2. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, which includes the following specific requirements:
—Distant visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
(NOTE: For those applicants under final consideration, additional visual screening will be performed to include the following standards: refractive error (distant vision)-cycloplegic refractive error must be between +5.50 and -5.50 diopters in any meridian. Astigmatism may require up to 3.00 diopters of cylinder correction. Anisometropia of up to 3.50 diopters. You are not required to provide this information with your initial application. We will request it later if needed.)
-Near visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are now allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.
-Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position
-Standing height between 62 and 75 inches
Astronaut Candidate (Piloting background)
1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important.
2. At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable.
3. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical which includes the following specific requirements:
-Distant visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
(NOTE: For those applicants under final consideration, additional visual screening will be performed to include the following standards: refractive error (distant vision)-cycloplegic refractive error must be between +3.50 and -4.00 diopters in any meridian. Astigmatism may require up to 2.00 diopters of cylinder correction. Anisometropia of up to 2.50 diopters. You are not required to provide this information with your initial application. We will request it later if needed.)
-Near visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20 each eye
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are now allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.
-Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position
-Standing height between 62 and 75 inches
1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important.
2. At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable.
3. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical which includes the following specific requirements:
-Distant visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye
(NOTE: For those applicants under final consideration, additional visual screening will be performed to include the following standards: refractive error (distant vision)-cycloplegic refractive error must be between +3.50 and -4.00 diopters in any meridian. Astigmatism may require up to 2.00 diopters of cylinder correction. Anisometropia of up to 2.50 diopters. You are not required to provide this information with your initial application. We will request it later if needed.)
-Near visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20 each eye
The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are now allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.
-Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position
-Standing height between 62 and 75 inches