<p>Are there any cadets out there who are at the Academy and are aspiring to go through Astronaut training? If so, what did y’all do to get to that point/what are y’all gonna do to get to that part in your life?</p>
<p>Oh, and how is the Air Force's space program compared to NASA's?</p>
<p>All I know is you better be a **** hot stick and have a technical degree. I think it'd be a sweet deal and if I ever make it to that point, I'll definitely take it.</p>
<p>I think it is great that you have that as a goal. You are the perfect age to be on the Mars Landing teams. Very cool. Go for it!</p>
<p>Going to Test Pilot School was usually the path most military astronauts took. For that, you need to be a good pilot and have a technical (engineering/hard sciences) degree...so don't be a history major like me! ;)</p>
<p>I am not a cadet, nor an astronaut, but I am aquainted with several of both types. (I work at NASA/JSC as a scientist.) In broad terms: The academies are a good place for aspiring astronauts. One would be better served with a technical major. The Air Force space program is not a manned program at this time - thus, no "Air Force" astronauts exist. The active-duty astronauts are from AF, Navy, and/or Army and are detailed to NASA. The vast majoirty have flight test experience.</p>
<p>The importance of a military background has lessened over the years at NASA - the Shuttle retirement will probably help continue this trend. Yet, IMHO there will always be a place for the military/aerospace engineering/flight test type of astronaut.</p>
<p>An advanced degree may not be listed in the requirements - but face the fact that it is. Coming from an extensive flight background a Master's may suffice. Otherwise a Ph.D. or M.D. will be required.</p>
<p>Two points....I believe the U-2 Dragonlady Pilots are Astronauts (not positive but I believe they are). Second point of interest This Forum was actually started by the Chair of USAFA's Astro Department Col. Dr. Martin France. A distinguished USAFA grad, and an accomplished USAFA football player. I know he would love to see another CC Cadet in his Astro program.</p>
<p>so let's just assume for a second that i had a friend that wanted to pursue astronaut training later on in life. let's also assume that my friend is going to the academy...class of 2012. would it be wiser for my friend to be an astro major? or would it be wiser for my friend to be an aero major? or does it matter for my friend?</p>
<p>What matters for "your friend" is to be a technical major. How you fly will determine training, not the major beyond technical (engineering preferred).</p>
<p>thank you once again hornetguy...i will be sure to tell my "friend" this information ;)</p>
<p>the more important major to choose is one he will enjoy and do well in that is also technical. although not as likely, USAFA has even had an OR graduate go to TPS. so he should do what he wants</p>
<p>my dad went through TPS, and several of his friends are now astronauts, including the pilot of the last shuttle that went up several weeks ago.</p>
<p>the journey will be long and hard (TPS ended 14 killer cobra years ago), but i can't even begin to imagine how rewarding it must be.</p>
<p>Flyboy potter went in sure she would do something like Mechanical or Aero Eng. She attended a special High School with a specialized Pre-E major. After one Ac semester she announced she thought she was going fuzzy. I will admit my surprise. Thing is she still couldn't really tell you what major she wants. Good thing is she doesn't have to for another year. </p>
<p>My advice same as for my Daughter. DO WHAT YOU ENJOY!! You will live with that choice for a long time.</p>
<p>okay i will be sure to tell my friend that</p>
<p>Col. Mike Goode will be on the next shuttle in August. Mike is a Strike Eagle WSO, who has been with NASA since 97, and this will be his first time in space. Mike was a ROTC grad from Notre Dame @85. He graduated from test school at Edwards in 93-94 time period.</p>
<p>My point here is that as you can figure out, you weren't even born yet when he started this process...it is a very long process to get there. Keep the faith, but enjoy today. </p>
<p>Do everything possible to get there, the first is being a great Pilot or WSO. Go to test school, and shine there to get command support for NASA. I am sure his engineering degree helped (his was an EE), but that degree didn't make him a great WSO, it was how he handled the stick that helped him achieve the goal.</p>
<p>A T-shirt on I-day that says "FUTURE ASTRONAUT" in big bold letters is a great way to start, it shows motivation. :D</p>
<p>TPS is the first major hurdle. Doing well in AFA academics, again preferably engineering, is the way to prepare for this hurdle.</p>
<p>Luigi with the set-up.</p>
<p>That's not very nice. (wags finger)</p>
<p>"Bueno"! (Col. Goode's call-sign)</p>
<p>He graduated TPS end of 94. His son and i still talk occasionally. It'll be exciting to see him finally get into space</p>
<p>Which son...Bueno had said his eldest was now back in TX with them when he last saw him, and his youngest was graduating last year. You know he was on GMA only a few weeks ago when the shuttle was in orbit. He did a segment in the water in Florida, they also introduced his wife and daughter, obviously the boys were at college.</p>
<p>For all of you who want to be an astronaut, the one beauty is that you won't PCS as often, but as you can see it took him 14 yrs from graduating to get up in space, that is not abnormal time frame, I believe it is basically a line number issue, so in other words you go after the guy that got there before you (not as in line number for promotion)</p>
<p>closer friends with Bryan than Jason cause of age. haven't chatted with him in a while. i knew Bueno was prepping, but hadn't heard many details.</p>