You Could Fulfill Your Childhood Wish To Visit Mars If You Meet These NASA Requirements

by N/A, 10 years ago | 2 min read

Remember how when you were a child and somebody asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, and for a large percentage of kids the answer is either cowboy, princess, ballerina or astronaut? Well, the former three are in your hands (with princess being ruled out for just about everybody), but now the latter position is actually up for grabs. Yeah, you can now apply to be an astronaut, just like any other job.

3…2…1: "Lift off, we have lift off (of childhood dreams being revitalized)."

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Applications officially began being accepted as of December 14, and as you can imagine, just getting through to the interview stage is a very rigorous process.

Among the many requirements, applicants must demonstrate or be able to live up to:

• having 20/20 vision
• have a blood pressure under 40/90 measured in a sitting position
• have a height that is between 62 and 75 inches
• completed a bachelor's degree with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics
• 3 years of relevant experience or 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft

That's the short of it (yes, we said short, because there's plenty more you'll need to being able to get through before even landing an interview). But, the fact that an astronaut job posting is listed is beyond cool.

Applications are being accepted through mid-February, and the one thing that sticks out about all this is that there is no age requirement. So, you could still be in your 20s or be nearing retirement, but if you match these requirements, you could be considered! That being said, it's never to late to decide to become an astronaut–apparently!

If all of this is getting you really excited and you want to know more about what it takes to be an astronaut for NASA, listen to NASA Administrator Charles Bolden go into further detail in this short video.

Bolden said in a press release:

"This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet. 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."

"Houston, we have a problem: too many applicants."