<p>hsmomstef: I have no medical problems whatsoever :D I have been involved in various activites related to military(maybe due to dad is an officer in the indian army), I have an A certificate from NCC that is similar to ROTC, Experience in Para Jumping and stuff. So i dont think that should be a problem. Btw how many years is an international required to stay before he can get US citizenship?</p>
<p>A civilian CAN be educated by a military test pilot school and ARE. This DOES NOT make them military test pilots. No, the post didn't refer to civilian mission specialists. I know this for a fact.</p>
<p>hmm, what is the maximum age of joining the US Air Force as a Pilot?</p>
<p>ajayc -- glad to hear that you would have no medical problems, that does become a problem for many. Offhand, I think you have to stay in the US 7 years to become a citizen, but I think there are some other factors involved. I think you have to be on a certain type of visa those 7 years. I have no idea how old you can be and join the Air Force as a pilot. I think you really need to talk with someone more "in the know" than you are finding on this board. Do you live anywhere near an Air Force base? or are you currently international?</p>
<p>nurseypoo -- sorry, I am limited in my knowledge. I am under the impression that the space program has never selected a non-military test pilot for the astronaut program -- but I could be completely wrong. my understanding is that military service weighs heavily in the decision to choose the pilot positions. </p>
<p>another option might be to become a payload specialist -- I don't know how that works, but it sounds like they are not considered "astronaut candidates" so they might not need to meet citizenship requirements. "Payload specialists are persons other than NASA astronauts (pilots or mission specialists) whose presence is required on board the Space Shuttle to perform specialized functions related to the payload or other essential mission activities. Payload specialists are nominated by NASA, the foreign sponsor, or the designated payload sponsor (private companies, universities, etc.). "</p>
<p>just to put into perspective how difficult it is to become an astronaut -- since the beginning of the space program, only 321 people have been selected as astronauts (including the original 7 astronauts). so -- that isn't too many people over a 47 year period. And there are many, many people that want to be astronauts.</p>
<p>ajayc -- from looking at some of your past posts, I can see that you are currently 17 and in India and you will need significant financial aid. Those are some very big hurdles to jump.</p>
<p>have you considered attending the US Air Force Academy? They do accept limited international students (although the admissions procedure is totally different). I live in colorado springs where the academy is located -- and I know several international students that attend, from Pakistan and Norway.</p>
<p>Here is the link to application procedures for internationals -- your dad might have some contacts in India to help you along: <a href="http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/howtoapply/international.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.academyadmissions.com/admissions/howtoapply/international.php</a></p>
<p>Okay, there's some confusion, here. Let me try not to stir the mud. I was talking solely about test pilot schoool. I never intended that a civilian could be a military test pilot.</p>
<p>Test Pilot School- There are two military that I know of. One is at Pax River (Navy), the other is at Edwards AFB (Air Force). The other is in Mojave, right outside of Edwards, and it is civilian (they teach a lot of foreign test pilots/engineers).</p>
<p>Okay, test pilot school does not put out just test pilots. They put out test engineers and navigators. You need these people to read the data strips from the test pilots (it helps to have a pilot who still remembers their engineering).</p>
<p>At Edwards, and I don't know about Pax, they have had civilians in the testing program. I would imagine that they are already employed by the aerospace industry and that's how they get in. They are VERY selective with whom they take.</p>
<p>As far as NASA goes, I don't know how they select their foreign astronauts. I'm assuming they are all mission specialists, from what I have been told.</p>
<p>As far as NASA and their domestic astronauts go, usually, the people who apply to become pilots also apply to become mission specialists. That way, they have two bites at the apple, so to speak. The ones who apply for mission specialists (who have NO flying/testing background) are looked at only in that group. Yes, the pilots/commanders that we knew (most have retired) were military.</p>
<p>The cut off age for pilots in the AF used to be 26 (I think. That's the # that seems to be stamped in my mind). You have so much training to do. However, the 26 # comes from my husband's time frame (he's retired). It could have changed.</p>
<p>thank you all for your help.</p>
<p>Yes I need to get past through hurdles before coming to US and I am doing everything possible to overcome them :) Concerning the US Air Force Academy they require me to join Indian Air Force here and then apply from Ministry of Defence India, I had a talk with my dad and he said yes there are really few people who are selected. I wrote to Edwards Base and they have told me that they just have 2 Indians from the Indian Air Force. And they have a committe which decides which country would get a slot for them to send International Candidates. </p>
<p>So what I plan now is I come to states for my undergraduate education and them pursue my Masters and PhD frm US which will allow me enough time to get US Citizenship during this time I might apply at some NASA centre and prove my capabilities, and then finally apply for Astronaut.</p>
<p>I am aware that it is really REALLY difficult to become an astronaut but I just cant let my dreams fade away because it is difficult :D I really appreciate your help, thank you!</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>advice me on how to fund my education too, my parents cant even fund my first yr of education easily.....</p>
<p>sorry -- that is a really tough one. check out this link <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=151609%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=151609</a></p>
<p>I also think you need to do some checking on US citizenship. You can't just come to the US on a student visa and apply for citizenship -- you have to first get the right kind of visa. I don't know much about it, but you should do some research on that.</p>
<p>Another reality check for astronaut hopefuls....the shuttle fleet is being retired in 2010. It is doubtful that all the current astronauts will end up getting on a flight before the end of the shuttle program. A new vehicle is in development, but I don't know when it will start flying. It's max crew is smaller than the shuttle's. In other words....NASA already has way more astronauts than are needed.</p>
<p>That happened with the remaining Apollo flights they never made. New vehicle, too many 'nauts.</p>
<p>The CRV is scheduled to fill the shuttle's role (and much more) in 2014. So while its true that there will be four years that no Americans will be put into space (unless it is on a European vehicle), there is something for atronaut hopefuls to look foward to. The plan is to get a base up and running on the moon soon (Dont remember when exactly, pretty sure its before 2030), and then go on to Mars from there. The coming years should be very exciting for astronauts, although it is unlikely they will be on Mars in this lifetime. Thats for the next generation, perhaps.</p>
<p>Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is filled with ex NASA scientists. However, once they retire....</p>
<p>Alternative: Become a cosmonaut.</p>
<p>
Ha, now that's funny but true. :)</p>
<p>hmm that is an option...but I guess though the crew requirement will be less but the flights will become frequent so I think the demand of astronauts will go up due to the bases on moon and the mars missions!</p>
<p>Remember that the moon base and Mars mission are planned, but Congress has not voted for the increased funding for NASA that would be required to make that happen.</p>
<p>you never know what may happen in the future! :P</p>