NASA Looking For New Astronauts!

NASA is currently looking for more astronauts. According to the space agency, it will start accepting applications on Dec.14, 2015 until mid-February 2016.

Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator, stated that the next group of American space explorers will become an inspiration to the Mars generation to aim for new heights. He said that they needed people who can help realize the objective of sending the first man on Mars, reported NBC News.

“Those selected for this service will fly on U.S.-made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space." Bolden said in an ABC News report.

Currently, SpaceX and Boeing are manufacturing spacecraft that NASA hopes will be used to send humans from Cape Canaveral to the International Space Station, beginning in 2017. The space shuttle program last launched a spaceflight with a crew in 2011. NASA is also testing a Space Launch System rocket that may have the ability to deliver astronauts into deep space or Mars, via the Orion capsule.

NBC News also revealed that there are 47 active NASA astronauts at present. The agency will reportedly need more people for future missions.

For interested individuals, there is no age requirement, although the average age of chosen individuals is 34 years old. Men and women should not be taller than 6-feet- 4-inches. Candidates are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in math, physical science, biological science or engineering. They will also need at least three years of related professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Candidates must further pass the long-duration spaceflight physical exam. Applicants must also be willing to travel and American citizens. Accepted astronauts will be paid $66,000 per year and their salary can increase up to $144,566 with more experience.

Bolden said that the selected individuals for the service will fly on U.S.-made spacecraft from American soil. The new class of astronauts will be featured in 2017, Yahoo reported. They may be assigned in Orion, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon or Boeing’s Starliner. NASA seemed to be interested in sending crewed spaceflights again, as more findings and developments were discovered in Mars, Pluto and other galaxies.

The opportunity is definitely a dream come true for fortunate individuals. Interested parties can start preparing their applications for Dec. 14, 2015. More updates and details on the NASA hiring are expected soon.