<p>I want to be an astronaut, but it doesn't seem like there are enough space launches for an astronaut to keep food on the table. What do astronauts usually do as their day jobs?</p>
<p>The process of becoming an astronaut is extremely competitive. Most astronauts major in a science-related field in college, with many completing doctoral degrees. Of the thousands who apply to become astronauts, roughly 100 men and women are chosen for training. Astronauts earn between $40,000 and $82,000.</p>
<p>For more information and an application package, write to: Astronaut Selection Office, Mail Code AHX, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058 or call (281) 483-5907.</p>
<p>You've also got to have perfect vision (no corrections!). The chances of becoming an astronaut are less than 0.5%.</p>
<p>kierke, I posted the following in an earlier thread. I hope it will help.</p>
<p>timely</p>
<p>I know a little bit about this. My dad went to work for NASA in 1964 and eventually worked in the astronaut office. My husband has worked at NASA for the past 18 years where he is a flight engineer on the Shuttle Training Aircraft.</p>
<p>There are 2 types of astronauts...pilots and mission specialists. Astronaut pilots are almost always military pilots...USAF or USN. Most of them are test pilot qualified. Some mission specialists are also military (usually pilots). </p>
<p>Nowadays, most mission specialists have a PhD or an MD. Obviously, they also have to be in excellent physical condition. Any little health problem can disqualify you. You would have to qualify for a security clearance and pass a psychological evaluation. (We don't want crazy people or terrorists up in the shuttle, now do we?)</p>
<p>As if that didn't make it hard enough, you might have noticed that the shuttle is not exactly flying a lot right now. Who knows what the future of the program is? I wouldn't expect a lot of astronaut selections in the next few years. </p>
<p>Then, even if you are selected, there is no guarantee you will fly. One of dh's coworkers was selected as astronaut 6 or 7 years ago, and he was just recently assigned to a flight.</p>
<p>Working at NASA doesn't hurt your chances. If you got some kind of engineering degree that would be marketable at NASA (or for its primary contractor, United Space Alliance), then you could work there while working on your PhD. It never hurts to get to know some of the decision makers.</p>
<p>timely, wow, that's a lot of information, thanks!</p>
<p>Crayon, where did you find out about the no corrections thing? It doesn't seem to make much sense, what's the difference between natural perfect vision and laser'd perfect vision? </p>
<p>Can I become a pilot with corrected vision?</p>
<p>kierke,
My son is applying to the Air Force Academy, so we've read about vision correction in their materials. They will not accept you as a potential pilot if you've been lasered. It has to do with the way the procedure is done which leaves a little flap that can cause problems if you lose pressurization at altitude.</p>
<p>The military is doing a test program right now using RK for surgical vision correction. My husband's flight doc says the tests are going well, and it will likely be approved eventually. The key is that the military needs to do the surgery. If you come in with it already done, you are ineligible for flight status.</p>
<p>I've also heard of a goggle type mechanism that goes over one eye for pilots that don't have naturally perfect vision.</p>
<p>Found this. It's from Scholastic News:</p>
<p>Selecting Astronauts
The people who become American astronauts are selected by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Today, some astronauts are test pilots, others are scientists or engineers. All astronauts must have graduated from college and have at least a bachelor's degree. They must also have either extensive experience as jet pilots or an advanced degree or professional experience in engineering or in the biological or physical sciences. There is no age limit. The height limit ranges from 64 to 76 inches (163 to 193 centimeters) for pilots, and from 581/2 to 76 inches (149 to 193 centimeters) for scientists and engineers. All astronauts must meet rigorous standards of physical health and mental fitness.</p>
<p>I've looked into being an astronaut very seriously and here are a few things I've found out about it. First of all if you're going the pilot route the army is the way to go, and you need an insane amount of hours to do it. For mission specialists you are required to major in certain fields only (such as engineering or the sciences- interestingly you can't straight out be an astro major) and it's assumed you're going on to grad school afterwards. Your vision in both cases has to be very good and you can't have corrective vision after a certain amount. There are also hight minimum and maximum requirements.
My friend's dad is a former astronaut and he was telling me how the odds are something like 1/100 that you get selected out of all the aplicants. He also said if you want to do it all the hard work you put in is definetely worth it. :-)</p>
<p>Quote from Stargirl: "you can't have corrective vision after a certain amount."</p>
<p>What's the "certain amount"?</p>
<p>I'm worried. My vision is horrible. I was informed by optometrist that those non-surgical ways of correction (such as pinhole glasses and eye exercises) don't work. And in my case, there is no chance in hell it'll improve my vision up to astro standards.</p>