I want to be an astronaut, would a physics/astrophysics major put me in the right way for that?

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>So hear me out. I know you guys are probably laughing at me, and my dream to become one, but let me explain my backstory. I was sexually abused as a child by my father, and had a schizophrenic mom growing up. I went to Ohio State, and eventually had to face my issues. I went through A LOT of therapy, and I realized, I was a bit blessed and cursed at the same time. Even though my schizophrenic mom was also abused by my dad, she was able to always take care of me even with her condition. She had an amazing amount of intelligence, and that was based in her genetics, and I guess I inherited her intelligence and IQ. I actually took an IQ test and my IQ was 141. It made sense though, because even while I was being molested, my test scores were exceedingly high(the whole reason I got into college with my low high school GPA, was my high ACT and story). I guess to explain I got a 32 on the ACT while I had trauma flashbacks and had to force myself to concentrate.</p>

<p>Now that I'm free from the abuse and plan to press legal charges against my dad, my mind has been liberated. It feels like my mind can learn and react at an amazing rate, and I'm starting to realize I have a lot of potential as a person, and it was bogged down by the abuse and trauma I had. One of the biggest dreams I had was a kid was to be an astronaut. When things got bad, I would re-watch the Apollo 11 mission, and imagine myself in space away from all of it, and it fascinated me so much. I would tell myself I would be in space one day and that I need to push through the abuse.</p>

<p>But now that I'm actually better, I really do think my mom gave me an amazing amount of gifts, and with the fact that I was able to survive sexual abuse and have my mind liberated, I don't think there are many things I can't go after and achieve.</p>

<p>Physics/astrophysics really interests me. Would this be a viable route towards getting a job at NASA and doing research?(I guess that's my big first step). And no this not a troll post, I'm being serious about this, and my abuse is something I've accepted, so explaining in this context isn't a bother, but I wanted to explain why I really do think I have a shot of going after my dreams.</p>

2

<p>From your other posts, you seem to be in an Engineering program now and close to graduation. You can certainly make the switch to physics but you will have some remedial coursework to take. A graduate degree in Engineering would also be an option for NASA employment. More importantly for your goal of being an astronaut, the U.S. manned space program is not hugely active these days but that might change in a few years.</p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

3

<p>Also, I think the majority of those who actually in space have their degrees in a discipline of engineering (typically mechanical/aerospace), or air force personnel. I’m not 100% sure on that though.</p>

4

<p>Mission specialists are often not military.</p>

5

<p>I always find it useful to see what paths others took to get to a particular place in life. Here is a link to biographies of past and present astronauts.</p>

<p><a href=“Johnson Space Center Home | NASA”>Johnson Space Center Home | NASA;

6

<p>After looking at most of the candidates, they had majored in a variety of fields. There was one that earned Physics PhD after their BS so that’s notable. Most of them were in a discipline of engineering / space studies.</p>

7

<p>You also gotta be pretty lightweight.
Can’t weigh more than 180lbs</p>

8

<p>aerospace engineering with a career in the air force. an theoretical degree in space is pretty useless as you need to know what to do in the moment while you are in space. so definitely take engineering in mech/aero and then apply to the Airforce or do ROTC.</p>

9

<p>I know an astronaut. He has:
Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences
Some kind of graduate degree (I think master’s but I don’t remember) in microbiology
A Phd in Emergency Medicine</p>

<p>He went to Stanford and the University of Florida. He also went to space in 1985…its pretty awesome to know somebody who has literally been out of this world. He’s retired now and 68 years old. </p>