Brit astronaut career ideas

[mr.nys]

Hi,
I ve got a massive urge to do pilot astronaut flying in the future (people say that there will be a need for them soon). NASA seems the best agency, as ESA rarely send pilots into space. This is a huge disadvantage to me, as I am British and NASA only employs Americans. Right now I m thinking of doing a degree then fast jet test piloting in the RAF, before moving to the USA after 12 years (the minimum amount of time you have to stay in the RAF as a pilot). Has anyone got any ideas/improvements? I know it all seems a bit stupid, but you might as well try.....


mr.nys

[FFP]

Well at least you've set your goals low . .. . . .

I would imagine a degree in astrophysics coupled with some front line FJ time, QWI , definately ETPS would put you in the running. But then I'm not a careers adviser so don't quote me.

Question to ask yourself is, I am doing the FJ thing for the right reasons ? You need to be very committed and dedicated to make it through to the front line, and it's a career that is not to be undertaken lightly.

Good luck . . ..

[SALAD DODGER]

You could try putting a goldfish bowl on your head and saying beep after each statement. Only drink Capri-Sun, take a sh!t down a pipe and walk very slowly with big bounds. At least you will look the part.

Or as an alternative hope that Mr Branson will give you a job in a couple of years, as that is your best way of getting into space as he will be doing it more frequently than NASA and you will actually get to fly the thing a lot more!

Check your facts as I think that NASA does employ from outside, and the ESA has a couple of Brit astronauts.

BEEP...........

[Sir Loin]

I nearly became an astronaut

My dad said that if he hadn't have been p**sed, I'd have been shot into space:}

I thank you.

[Airbrake]

Go down your careers info office and tell them you want to be an astronaut, they will tell you exactly what to do.

[ChristopherRobin]

Do you think they'll want someone who can't type "nasa astronaut" into google and select the second result?

So you want to be an astronaut? (http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/astronauts/wannabe.html)

I think you'll need approx 2000 hours FJ if you want to be a shuttle pilot and a very large brain indeed if you want to be a mission specialist. You will also need to be a US Citizen unless you get sponsored by your own country which, if you're a brit, is unlikely to be frank.

Good luck.

[passpartout]

"You will also need to be a US Citizen unless you get sponsored by your own country which, if you're a brit, is unlikely to be frank."

Who's Frank?
:)

[Flik Roll]

I think you would have better chance of becoming an astronaut if you were monkey..;)

[AllTrimDoubt]

I think you might be the chosen one.

We have waited and watched your Earth for you to reveal yourself. You must go now and stand in your garden.

Wear tinfoil around your head to protect your eyes from our tractor beam. We will bring you onboard the mother ship shortly....

[Sunfish]

Unless you have already been to the right school and university.......................

[mystic_meg]

Here's some details of an earlier candidate I found....

http://www.spacefacts.de/bios/international/english/wood_nigel.htm

[wiggy]

Ah that dream..... You might want to consider what Michael Foale did, i.e. forget the piloting bit and instead go down the science astronaut/mission specialist road...

[mr.nys]

I think its true that being a mission specialist would be easier, but you don't exactly *DO* anything in the years leading up to being an astronaut (you'd be more active in the the Air Force). Also, if for some reason I don't get the job, then at least I ll be able to do something I enjoy (flying). As for the right school and uni I still have the choices before me (I m 14 :O :oh: ...... )

[Jerry Can]

Good luck to you mate. If someone has to become an astronaut, why shouldn't it be you?

[Toxteth O'Grady]

You need to become a Space Cadet first.

Plenty of those in HMFC.

:cool:

TOG

[AllTrimDoubt]

Ok - if you're serious - good luck. It'll take years of hard work though....

[Zoom]

And if you're serious, don't tell anyone at the OASC that you are using the RAF merely as a stepping stone to other things.

[mr.nys]

Yeah I know I thought about that as well....so does this mean I 'd have to leave out the whole astronaut thing at the interviews? And does anyone know how many hours an average FJ pilot flies every month?

thanks

[wiggy]

mr.nys

I wouldn't shout too loud about the specialists not "doing" anything or not being active prior to being an astronaut, otherswise you might fail the NASA selection> Bear in mind the specialists have all got post-grad degrees and /or doctorates. In any event even the humble pilot is going to need a first degree to get into any seat in any spacecraft - so no matter what you need to do the University bit.

You might want to read up a bit on Michael Foale and the career path he took....I seem to recall he wanted to be a astronaut ( his father was in the RAF) and looked at the pilot road but realised his chance of being the first RAF pilot to fly in space was pretty slim....so he went down the academic road, First degree at Cambridge, moved to the States, worked on the ground for NASA, took American citizenship ( here he was slightly fortunate in that his mother was American) and then applied for the Astronaut "job" from within NASA.

[mr.nys]

I think that in the end it comes to what you'd most like doing if you can't get the pilot astronaut slot: a mission specialist, or an RAF pilot. For me, I think I'd prefer RAF flying. (speaking of flying, what's the average number of people who get streamed into FJ after elementary flying??)

[wiggy]

I like your logic, best of luck with your plans.

[TurbineTooHot]

Streamed FJ after EFT.

At the mo, some, less than before. Soon even less.

Percentage wise varies, 40 odd normally I'd suggest, but as always this fluctuates with the service requirements.

Good luck,

Turbine

[idle-centralise]

Go for it mate, but I'll just say that it's going to be luck more than good judgement. You're going to have to get all the right streamings, ability ratings and postings just to be eligible.

And I've only ever seen one shuttle pilot fly a sim and he was absolutely amazing at handling. I mean so good you couldn't believe "anyone" could be that good.

I-C

[idle-centralise]

er, all of the above maybe....... :ok: