Have you got what it takes to be an astronaut? NASA is hiring the next generation of "space pioneers" that could one day journey to Mars.
In a move sure to make many nostalgic for their childhood dreams, the US space agency has uploaded a new video announcing it will be accepting applications for the astronaut class from 14 December.
Unfortunately for those who might hope to apply from New Zealand, however, one of the prerequisites is US citizenship.
.@StationCDRKelly & @Astro_Kjell ready to complete repair job during Friday #spacewalk... https://t.co/IJDJZJuvTY pic.twitter.com/M8lbXRK0lp
— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) November 5, 2015
"This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realise the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet," NASA administrator Charles Bolden, himself a former astronaut, said in a statement.
"Those selected for this service will fly on US-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."
NASA currently has just 47 astronauts, down from 149 in 2000, at the peak of the space shuttle era.
It is looking to bolster its corps ahead of new missions when US spacecraft return to flight in 2017, including to an asteroid in deep space and eventually to the Red Planet - a goal it wants to accomplish by the 2030s.
For an instant before sunrise, the space station glows orange. #GoodMorning from @Space_Station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/FEXx8Rezg3
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) November 5, 2015
"With more human spacecraft in development in the United States today than at any other time in history, future astronauts will launch once again from the Space Coast of Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft, and carry out deep-space exploration missions that will advance a future human mission to Mars," NASA said.
The next class of astronauts may fly on any of four different US vessels during their careers: the International Space Station, NASA's Orion deep space exploration vehicle, and two commercial spacecraft currently in development: Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon.
Do you fit the bill?
To be eligible to apply, you must be a US citizen with at least a bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics field.
NASA said the degree "must be followed by at least three years of related, progressively responsible experience".
Two things have given me goose bumps up here- an incredible #aurora flyover and watching the new Star Wars trailer! https://t.co/ZOue1wEvCf
— Kjell Lindgren (@astro_kjell) October 22, 2015
If you meet that requirement, you also have to pass a long-duration spaceflight physical test, which is similar to a military physical exam and is bound to be challenging.
Additionally, NASA said it required the following physical standards: "Distant visual acuity: 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20; Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position; Height between 58.5 and 76 inches."
Successful candidates for the current round of hiring will be announced in 2017, though the chances of success are slim.
Since its 1959 selection of astronauts for Project Mercury, which sent men into orbit around the Earth, only around 300 people have been invited to become astronauts.
The agency last put a call out for astronauts in 2011, and received more than 6100 applications. It only selected four men and four women as potential future astronauts - an acceptance rate of just over 0.1 percent.
"This is an exciting time to be a part of America's human space flight program," said Brian Kelly, director of flight operations at NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston.
"NASA has taken the next step in the evolution of our nation's human spaceflight program - and our US astronauts will be at the forefront of these new and challenging space flight missions.
"We encourage all qualified applicants to learn more about the opportunities for astronauts at NASA and apply to join our flight operations team."
- ABC
