NASA Wants More Astronauts

NASA Opens Applications for New Astronaut Class

“To be considered, a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience are required. Typically, successful applicants have significant qualifications in engineering or science, or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft. Teaching experience, including work at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, is considered qualifying. Educators with the appropriate educational background are encouraged to apply.”

Astronaut Search: Pilots Need Not Apply, Discovery News

“NASA posted a recruitment notice for more astronauts on Tuesday, but for the first time in the agency’s history there will be no separate hiring for pilots. In one of the most public acknowledgements that change is afoot, NASA’s next class of astronauts will be comprised solely of mission specialists and receive training for long-duration missions on the International Space Station. With the shuttle fleet retiring in three years, NASA will have no ships to pilot in space anyway, with astronauts riding as passengers to the station aboard Russian Soyuz vehicles or perhaps on commercially provided space transports.”