Aspiring Astronaut: How To Reach Your Goal of Working at NASA

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the aspirations of a 16-year-old from India who wishes to become an astronaut and work at NASA. Participants explore the criteria, necessary qualifications, and the realities of pursuing such a goal, including citizenship requirements and alternative paths through other space programs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the criteria and degrees needed to become an astronaut at NASA.
  • Another suggests checking the NASA website for information.
  • It is noted that US citizenship is a requirement for becoming a NASA astronaut, leading to a suggestion to consider India's ISRO program instead.
  • Concerns are raised about the current state of ISRO's astronaut program, with a belief that it is primarily focused on unmanned missions.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of understanding the realities of pursuing a dream of becoming an astronaut, mentioning that many people involved in NASA projects are not direct employees of NASA.
  • Another participant encourages the aspirant to maintain their dreams, sharing a success story of a Canadian astronaut who persisted despite initial challenges.
  • There is a reiteration of the idea that while the odds may be low, the possibility of achieving the goal is not zero.
  • Expressions of support and encouragement are shared, with one participant affirming their belief in the aspirant's potential.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of support and caution regarding the aspirant's goals. While some encourage the pursuit of dreams, others highlight the challenges and realities that may affect the aspirant's journey. No consensus is reached on the best path forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss various pathways to becoming an astronaut, including the importance of citizenship and the nature of employment in space programs. There is acknowledgment of the aspirant's age and the evolving landscape of space exploration, particularly in India.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in pursuing careers in space exploration, aspiring astronauts, and those curious about the requirements and realities of working in space programs may find this discussion relevant.

Kishlay
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I am an aspiring astronaut want to go in International Space Station also want to work in nasa. I am a 16 year old guy from India...will complete studies till 20... I want to know what are the criterion for reaching my goal, has all the qualities which an aspirant should have.. just need a source of light for guidance... what are the degrees needed to have...?
 
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You have to be a US citizen to be an astronaut for NASA. It appears that India has a space program as well called ISRO. Perhaps that's what you should be looking at?

My source is here:

http://astronauts.nasa.gov/content/faq.htm

That also answers many of your questions. However, citizenship is a requirement...
 
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Kishlay said:
I am an aspiring astronaut ...
I doubt ISRO has a space programme involving astronauts yet. It's mostly unmanned missions, so unless that changes anytime in the coming years (as it should), you're better off looking into NASA and getting that US citizenship.
 
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thanks for all of you people...
for helping me...
 
Not to burst your bubble, but you might want to read this to inject a degree of reality:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=667559

Moral of the story: there is an extremely strong possibility that, at your age, what you think you want to do will probably not be what you end up doing.

There is something else that needs to be mentioned here. Organizations such as NASA actually do not have a lot of employed scientists as most think. If you look at many of the NASA projects (for example, look at various publications in journals), most of the people who are listed on these NASA projects are actually employed by other institutions, especially universities and national laboratories. They do not work for NASA! They may be working on a project funded by NASA, but they are not NASA employees! Go check it out. Look at the Mars Rover project, for example, and see who someone like Steve Squyres, the project PI, works for.

Zz.
 
Last edited:
let us see what happens in the future...

by examining your poll.. currently it was ~5%... but the probability is not 0...!
 
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Kishlay said:
let us see what happens in the future...

by examining your poll.. currently it was ~5%... but the probability is not 0...!

I can only lead a horse to the water...

Zz.
 
Hi Kishlay,

Something to keep in mind is that when you have a dream like this, a lot of people are going to bring up the realities and probabilities involved and it will be easy to become disenfranchised. But I think... particularly for someone who is 16, that it's important to have dreams like this, and to chase them.

I would highly recommend Chris Hadfield's recent book: An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. Colonel Hadfield decided he wanted to become an astronaut when he was very young as well, but he was not American. There was no Canadian space program at the time. And yet, he persisted. He became one of the top pilots in the world and when Canada did develop a space program, he was one of the handful of potential astronauts selected. He has been to space three times now, I believe, most recently in a six month mission as the commander of the International Space Station.

Sure, the odds are stacked highly against you. But this is the kind of dream that there is value in pursuing. Say in your endeavour you become a scientist, a pilot, an engineer or a medical doctor - all are constructive professions that could allow you to do a lot of good in the world.

Read the biographies of other successful astronauts and cosmonauts. They'll give you an idea of what the "right stuff" is - or at least what it has been.
 
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  • #10
ZapperZ said:
I can only lead a horse to the water...

Zz.

never ever underestimate a potential of a human being... as I have said earlier, THE PROBABILITY IS NOT '0'... i don't believe in arguing with you... i will come with flying colours one day... and may god keep you alive to see that day.:smile:
 
  • #11
choppy... thank you for guiding me...
 

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