Becoming an Astronaut is not impossible; it might be little tough but for sure not impossible. This article provide the complete career path on how to become an astronaut, what qualifications you require, Physical requirements, training & many more information.
Astronauts are not only, who go into space & look at other astronomical bodies or search for life on other planets, actually their life is a little more complex than that. They need to be scientific experts, they should really know their thing very well, and also, they have to be physically very fit or else their chances of being sent on a space mission will crash against the earth & last but not least, Astronauts have to be the best not only in their country but also amongst people from other countries.
Let’s see what is an Astronaut and how to become an Astronaut :-
What does an Astronaut do?
From just looking at the planet to finally landing on it, humans have reached marvelous levels. Life outside the earth is a dream that is predicted to be very true. To fly in the space & collect information, astronauts enter the outer space through spacecraft to discover & explore the universe and expose its mysteries. They also handle various experiments and navigate the routes to different satellites & planets. However, there are various important points that are considered in this long process.
There are a couple of skills and qualities that a person needs to possess in order to make sure they can think of becoming an astronaut, some of them are –
- You have to be physically fit, there are examinations, you have to be mentally very strong and should have good stamina. Physical fitness is important for this work as it is a very physically demanding job.
- Candidates must stick to standards in the physical tests conducted. These standards being that the blood pressure of the candidate applying should 140/90 in sitting position, The vision in each eye must have 20/20 , and the height of the candidate should be between 63 to 76 inches.
- You should qualify the a particular height criteria.
- You should have great mathematical skills.
- You should have good communication skills, you must be very good at speaking and understand the English language because there are higher chances that people you are going to work with will be from other countries with different languages.
- The candidate should demonstrate cognitive, mental and personality capabilities; to enable him to be able to work in highly demanding social, physical and intellectual environment.
- You should have a good team spirit & great academic career because all the space missions are done in teams, and you should be able to work in cramped environment and under high pressure.
- You should have the ability to work under challenging and high pressure situations. You should be a team person.
Physical and emotional requirements which a candidate needs to fulfill:
Educational requirements for becoming an astronaut:
- Post your 10th grade your core subjects background should be of science stream with Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics .
- post which you have to do your Bachelor’s degree, better to have it from a recognized university. You can take up subjects like chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology etc. but, it is suggested that in your Bachelor’s you do courses in aeronautical engineering or aerospace and avionics and then go for Master’s and Ph.D. in the same.
- Ensure to score the good grades in all the competitions or academic examinations you give. Since there are a lot of people applying for this and this job is in high demand now a days, the chances of selection might be very low and thus to maximize the chances, you should secure maximum possible grades.
- Post graduation you can join the ISRO by clearing the JEE i.e. Joint Entrance Examination. For NASA joining, you will have to appear for the NASA Space Physical.
- Try for an internship in these fields so that you would already know the basics of the required work involved. Internship will give you the required experience to know the needs of the work and will further enhance your chances of selection.
- It is advisable to either join the ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) or Air Force preliminarily and then go for an astronaut training program. This will give you the needed field training.
Here are 5 educational subjects that will launch your career to Become an Astronaut
Electrical engineering
The students from Electrical engineering learn how to understand, build, and repair electronic systems. Given that space capsule (space shuttles) rely on this electrical systems, opting for an undergraduate course in electrical engineering is an excellent option to start your hunt to become an astronaut.
Engineers are the large proportion of astronauts. Engineers are innovators, designers, and mainly, the problem solvers. When you’re revolving through space at 18,500 miles per hour, you will definitely need few of these guys on your team.
Popular for being one of the first men to work on the moon was Buzz Aldrin, He also had a graduate degree in engineering. Post returning from the his first walk on the Moon, Aldrin observed a broken switch on the lunar lander, unless it was fixed, the crew were not going anywhere. Then, in a moment of inspiration, He realized he could jam a non-conductive felt-tip pen into the broken switch to push the contacts together & get them back home.
Space travelling is always at the cutting edge of innovation and technology, and astronauts play a vital part in evaluating, testing and improving the systems. Although you will study a lot in your under graduation itself, it is unlikely to be enough time to build the expertise and knowledge need to become an astronaut. Most of the astronauts have the master degree, and PhD will remarkably enhance chances of reaching the stars.
Astrophysics
Degree in astrophysics is an ideal starting point to become an astronauts. This is a very broad subject that combines mathematics, physics, chemistry, and cosmology. For your information, Astrophysics also asks some of the biggest questions of all subjects. According to the NASA, astrophysics focus to discover, how this universe works, and explore how this universe was began and evolved.
Astrophysics is a little difficult field of study. Students should be capable of a high level of abstract reasoning & should have the ability to grip advanced mathematical & scientific concepts, including field theory, quantum mechanics, and vector calculus. Paul Sutter is an astrophysicist at The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio & a chief scientist at COSI science center. Paul writes, ‘The nature does not reveal its secrets very easily. It takes countless hours an hours of job by dedicated professionals to understand the deepest theory of our cosmos. It is full of complicated theories, huge data to analyze, and whiteboards full of tough calculations.’
Astrophysicists are trying to unravel some of the mysteries ever known. The Astrophysicists practitioners are basically curious personalities who want to explore every possible option, as well as coming up with a few that have never been considered earlier. String theory, Blackholes and the fabric of space were invented upon mathematical principles, but they could only be truly conceptualized through the our imagination.
Again, An under graduation is only the beginning point for most of the astrophysicists. Post that graduate school comes, which may take up to 8 years – when that is completed, you will be ready to start your further doctorate.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the study of chemical materials as they relate to living organisms. This is lab based study and it uses a combination of biology and chemistry to gain a better understanding of how cells develop & communicate. Biochemistry also research how different environments on space affect the human body, making it a important field of study for students.
A popular American astronaut Peggy Whitson with a PhD in biochemistry. During her work tenure at the Johnson Space Center, Whitson observed on the formation of kidney stones during space travelling. Whitson found that astronauts are likely to have kidney stones in space due to excessive urine phosphate and calcium due to demineralization process of microgravity bone, then she invented a potassium citrate therapy which is still used now a days.
The well being of astronauts is the nutritional requirements, is one of the critical issue. Weightlessness disturb many physiological processes like metabolism, excretion, and absorption. For example, They do not want as much iron in their diet. The iron reduction is a result of the reduction in production of blood cells. In fact, having much iron could build up breathing difficulties, leading to headaches, weight loss, toxicity, and nausea.
We are now marching towards a new exciting era of space travel i.e. space tourism. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has received about $110m from future astronauts and with competitor like Blue Origin & SpaceX hot on their heels, We are very near to the time where more people are going into orbit than ever before. The Space tourists popularity will make biochemistry even more critical : we know when the more we put people into space, the more biological difficulties we will have to face.’
Aeronautics
Most of the astronauts initiate their career as military or commercial pilots. Earlier, fighter pilot experience was an essential requirement for any astronaut and having served is still a big plus for aspirants. However, even if you have no hands-on flight experience, Knowing the science of air travel is an plus point getting in to an astronaut world.
Students start by learning the fundamentals of aerodynamics, flight science, propulsion theory, and materials & structures. From there, they learn how to build, design and test the future generations of aircraft.
Students will require a hands-on understanding of mathematics and physics, and the requirement for those with a computer coding background is always in demand.
Students should be prepared for a long term commitment to their study and training process. Aerospace aeronautics is frequently trying the boundaries of what is possible, that means they look for the most talented and dedicated graduates. Around 3-quarters of the overall astronauts have a master’s degree, and most of them are in aerospace engineering.
Geology
Geology include the physical structure & substance of the earth & the processes which have developed its shape. It also covers the study of other natural satellites and terrestrial planets, such as asteroids and moon.
The most popular geologists is Harrison Schmitt, 1 of only 12 astronauts to have walked on the moon. He was part of the 1972 Appollo 17 mission. While moonwalk, Schmitt gathered sample of moon rock which is called as Troctolite 76535. Less than 156 grams and only 5cm in length, this tiny rock was the most fascinating sample collected from the Moon. Geologists used it for thermochronological calculations which disclose about the history of the Moon, considering a fact that Moon had an active magnetic field once.
Geologists are also a important part of the Mars exploration program and it also account for the similarities and differences between our own and the red planet. Geologists also includes the study of tectonics, volcanoes, the massive storms, and cratering that have shaped the planet’s land.
The SpaceX announced Back in 2016, its vision to begin the expansion of Mars. 12 months earlier, NASA claimed its goal of sending people to Mars by the 2030 year. It is difficult to tell who will get there first, but whichever team eventually lands will surely having some geology experts.
The NASA confirmed in year 2017, Only 12 people from more than 18,153 applicants, which is the acceptance rate 0.075% i.e. less than one in 1,500. So while the right educational qualifications are important, what else you require to become an astronaut?
As already mentioned above, there are some mandatory physical requirements. These are 20/20 vision (either with corrective lenses or naturally), blood pressure should not be more than 140/90 in a sitting position; and a height of between 63 and 76 inches.
You will have to be in excellent psychological shape. You will require a unique set of character traits that separate you from all the other ambitious & smart candidates. The NASA look for the qualities like flexibility, Team spirit, focus, a love of learning, and the ability to take the correct decisions under high pressure.
So it is not an easy task to become an astronaut. However, the best news is that there are several interesting subjects you can study and learn which may help you reaching towards the stars.
Colleges offering courses in Astrophysics/Aeronautics are:
- IIT Bombay, Mumbai
- IIT Madras, Chennai
- IIT Delhi, New Delhi
- IIT Kanpur
- Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO), Bangalore
- Osmania University, Hyderabad
- Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam
- Punjabi University, Punjab
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai
- Delhi University
- IIT Kharagpur
- IIT Madras
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Trivandum
- Indian Centre for Space Physics, Kolkata
- Savtribai Phule Pune University – Department of Atmospheric and Space Science, Pune
- Cochin Institute of Science and Technology – Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Cochin
- IISER, Bhopal
- IISER, Kolkata
- IISER, Pune
- Madras Institute of Technology (MIT Madras), Chennai
- Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT Manipal), Manipal
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthpuram
Career Scope
To become an astronaut in India is still in the process with the first crewed flight planned with a Gaganyaan spacecraft for December 2021. Take a look at the top centres & organisations which recruit astronauts in India :
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- National Aeronautical Laboratories (NAL)
- Aerospace Industry
There are many perks being an astronaut and among those perks, a good salary package is one of them. Indian Astronauts are paid based on the 5th Pay Commission. The pay for scientists, physicists or engineers at ISRO is around 62 lakhs to 1Cr. INR per annum. However, Employees in the directorial and the higher position are paid near about 4-5 lakh INR per month. The pay is finalized on the basis of person’s skills, experiences, and achievements. Apart from the salary package, astronauts are also given multiple other advantages like travel allowances, medical benefits, housing facilities, insurance etc.
The NASA is among the top space centers with the top organization for research and training which recruits 30 employees every two years. Just to let you know, there are many other countries also having the space centers those recruit astronauts:
- European Space Agency
- Canadian Space Agency
- Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency
- China National Space Administration
- Russian Federal Space Agency
Below is the list of Indian or Indian origin astronauts who visited space:
1. Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma is the 1st Indian astronaut to visit the space. Rakesh spent 7 days 21 hours and 40 minutes aboard the Salyut 7 orbital station. He is the only citizen from India to travel in space, although there have been astronauts with their background as an Indian, however they were not Indian citizens.
Rakesh Sharma himself made the entire country into a proud when, in response to the prime minister Gandhi’s question on, how India looks from space? He quoted the immortal lines, ‘Saare jahan se achcha’.
2. Kalpana Chawala
The first woman from India to enter space was Kalpana Chawla. Chawla died with her six crewmates aboard the space craft, Columbia in 2003. She earlier flew on Space craft Columbia in 1997 as a primary robotic arm operator and mission specialist. She was one of the seven members who died in the Columbia disaster when the spacecraft fall during its re-entry into the Earth’s airspace.
3. Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams, She is an astronaut from American & the US Navy officer who formerly held the records for most spacewalks by a woman and most spacewalk time for a woman i.e. 50 hours & 40 minutes. Sunita Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio, to Indian American neuroanatomist Deepak Pandya & Slovene American Ursuline Bonnie. She was designated to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 & 15. In 2012, she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then Expedition commander.
4. Ravish Malhotra
Ravish Malhotra is also called a forgotten hero and here in this list, we would like to share about this great man. He was born in Lahore, British India on 25 December 1943. Malhotra has his education at National Defence Academy and just like Rakesh Sharma, he became a pilot at the Indian Air Force later. His story is very same as of Rakesh Sharma and is the lesser known companion of India’s 1st astronaut. On 20 September1982, Rakesh Sharma become an astronaut when Ravish Malhotra was a Wing Commander.