By Tim Binnall
NASA is now accepting applications from aspiring astronauts hoping to explore the Moon and Mars, but getting chosen for the job is, as one can imagine, no small feat. According to a press release, this is the first call for a new class of spacefarers since the agency extended an invitation to would-be astronauts in late 2015. That announcement nearly five years ago yielded a whopping 18,300 applicants of which a mere 11 individuals made the cut and went on to become bonafide astronauts.
"We will send the first woman and next man to the lunar South Pole by 2024, and we need more astronauts to follow suit on the Moon, and then Mars," declared NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in the official announcement by the space agency. He went on to say that they are "looking for talented men and women from diverse backgrounds and every walk of life to join us in this new era of human exploration." While Bridenstine's call to action sounds encouraging, the chair of NASA's Astronaut Selection Board struck a more cautious tone.
"Becoming an astronaut is no easy task," Steve Koerner mused, "because being an astronaut is no easy task." To that end, the space agency has listed several requirements for the job which presumably narrows the field down to a select few. Specifically, would-be NASA astronauts must be American citizens possessing a Master's degree in a STEM field or, failing that, a medical doctorate. Applicants with test pilot training will also be given consideration during the process as well.
Those who meet those rather stringent benchmarks will also have to pass what is described as a "long-duration spaceflight physical" presumably to ensure that they can withstand the rigors of the job. The deadline to apply to become an astronaut is March 31st and the final candidates are expected to be chosen around the middle of 2021 with training set to begin shortly thereafter. For those wondering what an astronaut gets paid, a genuine job listing by the space agency indicates that the salary ranges from $104,898 to $161,141 per year.