NASA Recruiting a New Class of Astronauts for the Post Shuttle Era (ContributorNetwork)

With the space shuttle program at an end and with the prospects of voyages beyond low Earth orbit years, perhaps as long as a decade, away, it seems to be an odd time for NASA to start recruiting astronauts.

Why, then, is NASA putting out a call for new astronauts ?

The current NASA astronaut corps number 59, down from 150 a few years ago. Even many of these may retire in the next few years. While NASA is no longer flying its own spacecraft, it does need to provide crews for the International Space Station. Manned flights of the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle may take place as early as 2018, though the first flight is still officially manifested for 2021. Some pilot astronauts will need to be available and well trained before such flights can take place. Those astronauts will also be involved in the development and testing of the Orion.

What is NASA looking for in their astronauts ?

Pilot astronauts will have to have a bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics, though an advanced degree is more desirable. Applicants would have to have at least 1,000 hours flight time in jet aircraft, with test piloting experience desirable. Applicants will have to pass a physical similar to that of a military or civilian flight physical. They should have visual acuity of at least 20/100 in each eye, correctable to 20/20. They should have a blood pressure of at least 140/90 in the sitting position. They should have a height of 62 and 75 inches, though for flying to the ISS in the Soyuz a smaller body stature is likely more desirable.

Mission specialists will have to have a bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or mathematics. In addition they need at least three years professional experience in an appropriate field. Advanced degrees can be substituted for experience, with a master's degree equaling one year and a doctorate equaling three years. In addition they must pass the NASA space physical. They must have a visual acuity of at least 20/200 correctable to 20/20. They must have a blood pressure of 140/90 in the sitting position. They must be between 59.5 and 76 inches, though again the requirements of the Russian Soyuz likely weighs toward those of smaller stature.

How are NASA astronauts compensated?

Besides getting to fly in space and getting to call oneself an astronaut, starting salary range is $64,724.00 to $141,715.00. Long hours and occasional travel are required.

Mark R. Whittington is the author of Children of Apollo and The Last Moonwalker. He has written on space subjects for a variety of periodicals, including The Houston Chronicle, The Washington Post, USA Today, the L.A. Times and The Weekly Standard.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/science/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111119/us_ac/10479953_nasa_recruiting_a_new_class_of_astronauts_for_the_post_shuttle_era

warren jeffs james harrison james harrison phaedra parks oklahoma earthquake ben roethlisberger new madrid fault