More than 12,000 people apply to be future NASA astronauts

6 Apr 2020

More than 12,000 people apply to be future NASA astronauts

More than 12,000 people apply to be future NASA astronautsRecently, we read that NASA is looking for new astronauts for its upcoming Moon and Mars missions.

According to NASA, more than 12,000 people have applied to be astronauts!

This is the second-largest number of applications it has ever received. It is second only to the record 18,300 applications it received in 2016 (out of which 11 were finally chosen).

NASA made the application period from 2 to 31 March and also added more requirements than before. It received applications from all US states and territories.
 	Now the hard part is selecting only a few from all the applicants.
 	This latest group of astronauts will be called the Artemis Generation, named after the upcoming 'Artemis program' to the Moon.

How does NASA select its astronauts?

While having a Master's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) is important, NASA also looks at a person's work experience.
 	For example, Christina Koch, who recently came back to Earth after becoming one of the first women to complete a spacewalk, did research in Antarctica before becoming an astronaut. This shows that she could work in dangerous or isolated places, which is important for astronauts.
 	Test pilots and doctors of medicine can also apply.

NASA will make the final selection by 2021, after which the selected candidates will train for 2.5 years.

Watch a video below of astronauts answering "Why Did You Want to Be an Astronaut?".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFyFvR58wN8

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