Question Applying to Astronaut/Cosmonaut Program

[DanM]

Just out of curiosity, has anyone here applied is is planning to apply to their country's Astronaut or Cosmonaut program? I think my dad did, but he was rejected (I probably would have said something by now if my dad was an astronaut). If America even has a manned space program, I'll probably apply, and probably get rejected. Not to be negative, but it's just realistic that NASA wouldn't accept me if I can't even get into the military :lol:.

Since NASA won't accept me, this is my plan (half-joking): Start a Spaceflight company and build a low-cost, reusable suborbital point to point spaceplane. We'll eventually work our way up to a reusable heavy-lift SSTO space plane that uses a launch ramp, which can launch lunar transfer vehicles, cargo, station modules, etc. Then my job title will be CEO, Engineer, Astronaut :lol:. I'll let you know when we hire :rofl:

 

[garyw]

NASA won't be accepting people because they won't have a vehicle for a decade. You do NOT have to be a millitary person to be an astronaut.

 

[DanM]

You do NOT have to be a millitary person to be an astronaut.

That's not what I was saying, even though it does help a lot on the application. What I meant was that since I don't meet the US Military medical qualifications, since NASA is even more strict, I doubt that they would accept me.

 

[Unstung]

You'd need a very high education to have a good chance of becoming an astronaut.

Or start a spaceflight company? The chances of that are pretty low too, even if you are "half-joking". It would require a lot of money, unless you're very rich.

 

[T.Neo]

NASA won't be accepting people because they won't have a vehicle for a decade.

I hope you're not serious, Gary.

NASA is going to fly astronauts on Soyuz for the next ten years, just as it has done for the last ten years... :shifty:

 

[DanM]

You'd need a very high education to have a good chance of becoming an astronaut.

Or start a spaceflight company? The chances of that are pretty low too, even if you are "half-joking". It would require a lot of money, unless you're very rich.

That is why my plan gets even more crazy. To help offset the funds, we will place advertisements on the spacecraft and film commercials in zero g. :rofl:

 

[jevans]

Look up MirCorp...:facepalm:

 

[DanM]

Look up MirCorp...:facepalm:

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. That still doesn't mean that I can't. Muahahaha

 

[Turbinator]

Canada had an astronaut recruitment drive about 2 years ago, I think. It was for 8 positions. After I looked at the requirements and then the recruitment process I didn't even bother applying. Instead, I just filled out a lottery ticket, I had better odds there.

 

[mjessick]

One of my co-workers (a Canadian citizen) at NASA/JSC went almost all the way in the Canadian selection, making it to the "round of 20" . It was a great experience for her and quite a compliment.

What I found interesting was the numbers. Something like first selection in 17 years for Canadian astronauts and 5351 applied for 2 slots. The Americans in contrast had 9 slots available and had only 3500 applications.

 

[DanM]

Just to everyone who thinks that half joking is too serious, I really meant 7/8 joking.

 

[Hielor]

That is why my plan gets even more crazy. To help offset the funds, we will place advertisements on the spacecraft and film commercials in zero g. :rofl:

Good luck with that, let us know how it works out for you.