On 14 December, a new application period for those who want to be NASA astronauts opens. I’d love to be an astronaut, but fail at a couple of hurdles even to apply. I’m not a US citizen, a history degree is not a qualification they’re looking for, and I don’t have 1,000 hours experience as a jet pilot.
There’s nothing that would legally stop me applying to become a US citizen, and I could obtain one or more of the educational qualifications they deem acceptable, though not before 14 December! However, I suspect the likelihood of me becoming a jet pilot is exactly the same as the number of hours experience I currently have: zero. 🙁
Still, it’s excellent the programme is up and running again, and a new group of people will have missions to the space station or even Mars to look forward to.
So, do any of you qualify, and would you do it if you could?
I still remember those first pictures of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the Moon. I was five years old at the time. We didn’t see it live in New Zealand – the film was flown to us and broadcast here the next morning. I thought it was wonderful.
Much as I dislike Newt Gingrich, I loved his idea in the last GOP presidential primary that he was going to ensure a manned mission to Mars within ten years. He wanted to revive the idea of a positive goal for his country to unite behind, just like the Apollo missions in the 1960s.
And who wouldn’t want to be part of the crew of Enterprise under Jean-Luc Picard’s captaincy? (If only for the replicators and Holodeck.)
Well, I’m ready any time. But, as I approach 70 years old, I think my reflexes might be a bit less than optimal. If I had another life…
They’ve specified no age limit … I guess it comes down to whether age or experience is more important.
I was a little older than you when Armstrong stepped on the moon. We watched it live. Pretty damned exciting. I was disappointed when the program ended.
On July 20th, 1969, I was 3 months, 18 days old, so I don’t remember the landing. As I got older, I was fascinated by the fact we landed on the moon and actually considered becoming an astronaut. I imagine a lot of gen-X kids did. I know a lot of my friends wanted to be astronauts as well. I also think back then that being an astronaut meant going to Mars and beyond. I think our goals were set very high in the 70’s by the success of the lunar landings. By now I thought we’d all have jetpacks! I was 8 when Star Wars hit the world, and that movie increased my desire for space exploration. But by high school, I didn’t think about being an astronaut. I think a main reason was I knew one had to be a jet pilot which meant joining the military which meant, “no thanks”. Nowadays, I would love to take a rocket into outer space to see the earth from orbit, and perhaps in my lifetime the opportunity will arrive. I don’t know if Virgin Galactic is still viable…I think their goal was a $250,000 price tag for a civilian space flight. I don’t know if $250,000 would be worth it though…I could think of better things to spend the money on. 🙂
If I could spend that much without noticing, I’d be in, but I can’t see that happening.
I was in my first year of high school when Star Wars arrived. It had a big effect on me too. It’s the first movie I saw several times.
I saw on the news the other night that the NZ guy who’s been developing jet packs for a while has finally got a commercial model sorted. See here: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/exclusive-first-pictures-kiwi-jetpack-invention-lifts-off-for-maiden-flight
and: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/maiden-jetpack-flight-was-a-pleasurable-experience-for-former-air-force-pilot?autoPlay=4620971541001
Very cool jet pack.
Yeah, that is a cool jetpack…I’d probably kill myself if I had one though. lol!