<p>Does anyone know? I want to be an astronaut really bad....I'm doing pilot training right now....it is incredibly amazing...</p>
<p>anyone know?</p>
<p>theblumuffin:</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the direct correlation between obtaining an aero/astro degree from MIT and getting into NASA's astronaut program is, but according to the Tech: "MIT's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics has two former astronauts on its faculty--professors Laurence Young and Jeffrey Hoffman--and works closely with NASA on many research projects. The Institute has 33 alumni from many different departments who have become astronauts--more than any other non-military institution in the U.S. Those alumni have flown in more than one-third of the nation's space flights."</p>
<p>I have a friend who, at one point in time, really want to be an astronaut, and from what I recall from our conversations, NASA often seeks candidates from different backgrounds; not necessarily just those who have a degree in aero/astro, but also biology, physics, mechanical engineering, etc. Also, not to be discouraging, but I believe manned space flight is increasingly less common nowadays. You're far more likely to have your research/experiements launched into space.</p>
<p>If you are interested in aero/astro, however, MIT's program is great, and everyone I know who's in the department loves it.</p>
<p>Well, to be an astronaut, you must have to be a very knowledgable and excellent pilot. From the pilot pool, NASA, ESA or whatever it is will pick the healthiest and most knowledgable of engineering stuff.</p>
<p>In an Astro course, they will teach you stuff that is needed to be a grounder in Houston, not the things for someone up in the sky.</p>
<p>I think you already got the idea by now.</p>
<p>I recently went to a lecture by an astronaut who went to MIT. She talked about how it took her 4 times applying to the astronaut program before she got in. But she flew 5 times in space, so I guess it paid off.</p>