<p>I really want to be an astronaut and I love the environment, so what would be a good major to both prepare for the astronaut program and have a nice job as a fallback? I'd hate to sit inside at a desk all day. I'd rather be outside gathering data, working hands-on in a lab, or studying the environment. I am open to engineering as well as sciences.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Astronauts are largely sourced from the military, whether they’re pilots, engineers, medical doctors or scientists. Meanwhile, the only STEM discipline that’s at all likely to keep you out of an office or away from a computer for any significant period of time is Geology.</p>
<p>Aeronautical Engineering + join the Air Force should be a good idea. Most come from Military and only the best.</p>
<p>Military and pilots are the biggest source of astronauts. If you don’t learn to fly you should at least try to get SCUBA certified since I believe that is actually one of the alternative requirements. If you aren’t military you should at least try to be involved in sports or some sort athletic activity to show your physical fitness.</p>
<p>I’m currently working with an engineering PhD from a top research school with SCUBA certification, was semi-pro in a sport, and he has recommendations from the head of his NASA center, the head of the US branch of the ISS, and a former astronaut (he worked for during his MS), yet he’s still really doubtful of making it past even the first stage of selection.</p>