I know more than one person whose career goal as a kid was "starship trooper." "Astronaut trainee" may be as close as you can get in 2011. /Publicity photo
If you’re freaked out about the possibility of reduction-in-force boards taking your job and looking for something outside of the Air Force, you may be in luck.
A new career posted on USA Jobs may be right up your alley. NASA has just added an opening for astronaut candidates, who would support missions to the International Space Station.
The bad news, for some airmen at least: You need to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. That degree needs to be followed by “at least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience OR at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: master’s degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience.”
If you qualify and your inner 6-year-old is freaking out at the prospect of being an astronaut, go ahead and find your military point of contact to apply through your service. I’ll just be over here sulking at my desk, waiting for the day when journalism-school graduates are allowed to go into space.
