So, is there an astronaut difference ?

[Onceapilot]

So, is there a really difference between a pilot and an astronaut ? I have great admiration for anyone who chooses to take the risk of true spaceflight at the present roughly 100:1 risk level of orbital spaceflight. However, I suspect it makes no greater demands than that of a fast-jet pilot and, involves no less career risk! :ooh:

OAP

[Wensleydale]

Not sure if you can take a Breitling into space, and the main difference is that an astronaut doesn't spend all the time telling the others in the space station that he is an astronaut!

[Cazalet33]

How much money ya got behind ya?

That's the difference.

[Wensleydale]

...and this has been doing the rounds on FB for a while!


https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/1898183_1643988412501470_7443578441335396553_n.jpg?oh=2f1a1b a3d3b897000484e20f614e544a&oe=57D7925E

[H Peacock]

I'm not sure that these non-Russian astronauts do any 'flying' or manoeuvring of the space craft during the transit. They probably operate some of the space-station's systems as well as conducting a plethora of experiments and the odd spacewalk, but I don't see it compares with being a pilot and certainly doesn't involve any of the hand-eye coordination used by the guys in the Gemini-Apollo era.

[Hempy]

Q: Should I become a military or civilian pilot to become an astronaut?

No, you certainly don’t need to become a military test pilot like most of NASA’s Space Race astronauts of the 1960s. The agency’s astronaut program seeks not only test pilots, but also scientists and engineers.

But NASA believes that flying experience builds decision-making and judgment skills that greatly improve your odds of being successful and surviving in space. That’s why NASA gives its astronaut candidates without piloting experience six weeks of flight training (currently with the Navy). They then go on to qualify as crewmembers on NASA’s fleet of Northrop T-38N Talons. These are high-speed, high-altitude jet trainers with advanced electronics and navigation gear capable of aerobatics and near-supersonic speeds. Flying the T-38 regularly gives astronauts important experience in judgment and decision-making under pressure. If you choose to pursue a private pilot’s license on your own, you’ll find flying to be challenging, rewarding, and fun--and you’ll be ahead of the curve in preparing to work in space.

History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Air & Space Magazine (http://www.airspacemag.com/ask-astronaut/ask-astronaut-do-i-need-be-pilot-become-astronaut-180958533/#GkjQAFKRwPZsQ1Qe.99)

[A_Van]

Having worked in the manned spaceflight domain for some 35 years (and involved in training of cosmonauts/astronauts of many nations), I can confirm that Onceapilot is perfectly right: nowadays these are two different professions. Only 2 crewmembers of the Space Shuttle (now retired) and Russian Buran (never flew with a crew) had to be highly qualified pilots.

[chopper2004]

There is also on the job training for re entry in the Shuttle according to 007 :P

cheers

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g209/longranger/longranger112/Moonraker-030_zpswefcaaof.png

[4Greens]

Pilot saying 'Spam in a can'

[twb3]

Near supersonic? The T-38 is certainly capable of supersonic flight. Does NASA impose a subsonic-only operating limitation?