First of all, for all of you who want more information on Pilot Astronaut or Mission Specialist opportunities, here's the place where you should write to :
Astronaut Selection Office
Mail Code AHX
Johnson Space Center
Houston, TX 77058
p.s. Read the following first to see if you qualify for the position.
Basic Qualification
For Mission Specialists and Pilot Astronaut cadidates, basic education requirements are aat least a Bachelor's degree with a major in Engineering, Biological Science, Physical Science or Mathematics from accredited College or University.
Mission Specialist applicants must have 3 years of related professional experience.
Pilot Astronaut candidates must have at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.
Payload Specialists must have the appropriate education and training related to the payload or experiment. All applicants must meet certain physical requirements and must pass NASA space physical examinations with varying standards depending on classification.
Training Activities
Once selected, astronauts have a busy schooling and training in preparation for space flight. They study basic science and technology courses such as Mathematics, Earth Resources, Meteorology,Guidance and Navigation, Astronomy,Physics and Computers.
I believe I can fly ~ !
For astronaut to learn to live and work in a weightless (microgravity) environment, they train for functioning in micro-gravity with various simulation experiences.
The KC-135 jet aircraft, modified for astronaut training, gives the effect of a rapidly descending elevator when flown over the top of a parabolic path. During this zero gravity period lasting about 30 seconds, astronaut practice drinking, eating and using various types of equipment. Longer periods of weightlessness are simulated under conditions of neutral buyoancy in a specially designed water tank large enought to hold full scale mock-ups of spacecraft components and equipment.
To become accustomed to working in a pressurized space suit, astronauts spend many mission training sessions in the suit.
Space shuttle pilot astronauts land the spacecraft much like an aircraft on a runway. Therefore, conventional and modified aircraft are used to practice approach and landings. The four-engine KC-135 jet provides experience iin handling large, heavy aircraft; and the modified Grumman Gulfstream II aircraft, designated Space Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA), simulates the handling characteristics of the orbiter for landing practice. Through attendance at engineering ceonferences and review meetings, astronauts keep informed about spacecraft, paylaod and launch vehicle design, development and modification activities.
Astronauts maintain flight readiness through regular use of high-perfomance aircraft assigned to the Johnson Space Center and based at nearby Ellington Field. Physical conditioning, for both Pilot Astronauts and Mission Specialists, is a matter of individual need and preference. Gymnasium facilities are available.
When assigned to a flight crew, each astronaut receives cross-training so that at least pme crew member can hadle the most critical duties of each associate. Thus, and ill or injured crew member can be relieved in flight without compromising the mission objectives.
This is as much as I want to say...
This page tells you a little bit of everything so, I think this should make you happy for a while....
If you seriously think you qualify for the position mentioned and have a willing heart for this opprotunity, the address is at the top of this page, so go ahead...
Who knows? You might be one of the "FEW GOOD MEN".