<p>I know thousands of people dream of becoming an astronaut at one point in their lives, but I belive that this is something I really want to do. I have been looking at many colleges and have narrowed my choices down to two: Georgia Tech and Purdue University. I am really intersted in these two colleges becuase of their engineering programs (and the large number of Purdue graduates that have been selected for spaceflight). I am looking to major in Astronautical Engineering at one of these schools and I am wondering if these are two good schools to go to and a good major to do if I was trying to become an astronaut.</p>
<p>I don't know much about either of those schools, but if you're willing to work hard to achieve your goal, consider the US Air Force Academy. It's an unbelievable experience that offers an incredible education and so many awesome opportunities. Many graduates get involved with the space program. And it's free.</p>
<p>It's not for everyone, but if you might be interested, send a PM my way.</p>
<p>Air</a> Force Academy</p>
<p>Yes, I know that the Air Force Academy is a great school and would also be a great way to get involved in NASA, but I am not really intersted in joing the military. I was reading on NASA's website where you don't have to necessarily have military service to become a Mission Specialist for NASA.</p>
<p>my old boss in the USMC became an astronaunt.. the application process was over two years.. he was the best of the best was a test pilot for the USMC /navy... become and military aviator and you willl have a much better shot</p>
<p>Well, if you are not interested in the military, I'd suggest you be the best engineer in your area.</p>
<p>Aren't there like only 10 astronauts in the country? Why do they need so many at one time? It's not like they're going to send them all into outer space.</p>
<p>Be from Ohio....</p>
<p>NASA</a> - Ohio Astronauts</p>
<p>Seriously you can click on their bios and see what kind of backgrounds they have.</p>
<p>This one is from two towns over from me...all of his shuttle flight logos are on the high school gym wall.</p>
<p>Astronaut</a> Bio: T. Henricks 11/99</p>
<p>Part of the reason they choose alot of Air Force and Naval aviators is that many of the flight medicine issues overlap between NASA and the military. It is a sort of weed out program.</p>
<p>Or your other alternative is be the best engineer or scientist in your field that you can possibly be.</p>
<p>Here's the recruitment page for the 2009 class which gives details of requirements to apply.</p>
<p>NASA</a> - NASA-Astronaut Recruitment</p>
<p>Here's my favorite line....</p>
<p>
[quote]
The open positions require extensive travel on Earth and in space. Possible destinations may include, but are not limited to, Texas, Florida, California, Russia, Kazakhstan, the International Space Station and the moon.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It does say you must be a US citizen and women and minorities are encouraged to apply.</p>
<p>According to NASA statistics, there are currently 92 active astronauts and 29 in mangement status.</p>
<p>Career</a> Astronaut Biographies: Active and Management Astronauts</p>
<p>During an internship I lived with a person who worked at NASA for 30 years and has a certificate of meeting the requirements of being an astronaut (although the person did not choose to become one.)</p>
<p>The person said that the most common astronauts will have an advanced degree in the physical sciences and several years of military training. It is true that you won't NEED the military; but you will be in a huge disadvantage. Also, auronatics is not in and of itself that special... there are some astronatus with four or more degrees, or at least a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or mathematics and/or medical degrees.</p>
<p>Check out Cornell and University of Arizona's engineering and astronomy programs.</p>
<p>From the two schools you listed, I would pick Georgia Tech. My ex-boyfriend went to Southern Polytechnic in GA for a year and is going there one more year, then hoping to transfer to GT, and he wants to be an astronaut as well. From what I've heard from him, GT has an AMAZING program for it.</p>
<p>Another school you should look at is Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Great for this type of stuff. Seriously consider to go to either the Prescott campus, Daytona campus or the Worldwide campus.</p>
<p>My cousin was an astronaut. He went to the naval academy and then became a pilot. </p>
<p>Flight experience is great and you will likely need it, but engineering is definitely a viable option for the career path, as well. True, military background is not required, but it doesn’t hurt.</p>
<p>Read the bios of current and former astronauts to get a sense of the paths they took.</p>
<p>Thread is four years old, but there may be new would-be astronauts.</p>
<p>Funny how old threads are revived. Given the status of the manned space program, this seems to be a pretty limiting career path, sad to say…</p>
Sorry! I just read your comment and I just couldn’t bare to scroll along and do nothing. I see your comment and would like to inform you that the industry and the study of space is a vast growing field. Your earlier statement that there is only about 10 astronauts is incorrect. Though there is not thousands, (trust me that would be awesome), there is about 100 and many more on the way. With the planned Moon and Mars missions, not even the asteroid mining operations and other commercial investments, there should be thousands of applicants and many hundreds to join the ranks of the pioneers. God bless.