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What does it take to become an astronaut? Here’s what NASA says.
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Becoming an astronaut: The selection process
Choosing NASA's astronauts is not a simple process. In March, 12,040 hopefuls, already in possession of a master's degree, applied to be members of the next class.
- The selection process involves a written application and reference checks as the process narrows down. Then, around 120 applicants will be invited to the first round of interviews.
- Some skills analysis and basic medical testing will be done, and then 40 to 60 people will be back for the second round of interviews.
- During the second round, they spend a week doing some team reaction exercises, individual performance exercises, and checking other competencies.
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Becoming an astronaut: What helps applicants stand out
The focus is on operational experience in situations where they will make real-time decisions in a relatively high-stress environment. To gain this experience, people tend to go to the Antarctic or do wilderness rescue. They may also get their private pilot's license. Teamwork and leadership experience is essential.
When going through so many resumes, it's the unique things that stand out.
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Becoming an astronaut: Personality characteristics
Interpersonal skills are essential: teamwork, followership, leadership, communication skills, especially under stress and over a long-duration, such as a mission to the moon, or Mars.
Astronauts should be able to modulate their skillset, and maybe even their personality, to be prepared for what's needed at the time: Sometimes you are in charge of issuing orders and commanding respect. Other times you might be following orders that mission control sends up.
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The International Space Station
The ISS is a multi-nation super satellite, the largest single construct in space, made between 1998 and 2011.
As of 2018, 230 astronauts and 18 countries have visited the Internat...
ISS Journey Around Earth
The International Space Center circles the globe every 90 minutes at a speed of 17,500 mph. It flies at an altitude of 248 miles above Earth.
It holds a crew of three to six people, and for a long time, used the Russian Soyuz spacecraft as a way to transport astronauts. SpaceX has sent 2 more astronauts in May 2020, using their Special Dragon Spacecraft, courtesy Elon Musk.
Activities of ISS
Astronauts mainly perform experiments and do maintenance at the ISS. They also do some personal care and exercise, reach out to Earth to conduct some media or school events, and occasionally perform spacewalks. They also use a bit of Twitter.
Human health research, especially eye problems are a major activity. Biological activities, animal tests and testing of appliances in space is also done.
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NASA - planetary science
At the beginning of this year, NASA scientists had to decide which missions should explore our Solar System. They chose four missions for further study from the 20 intriguing ideas submitted. From ...
Emerging technologies for space exploration
Two emerging technologies may propel NASA and the rest of the world into an era of faster, low-cost exploration that would lead to more exploration and democratise access to the Solar System.
- A new generation of companies is developing new rockets for small satellites. Rocket Lab has a lunar program for its small Electron rocket, and Virgin Orbit with a group of Polish universities is to launch up to three missions to Mars with its LauncherOne vehicle.
- At the same time, various components of satellites are being miniaturised.
- Tiny satellites are no longer theoretical. Two years ago, a pair of CubeSats, called MarCO-A and MarCO-B, launched with the InSight mission. The briefcase-sized satellites deployed their own solar arrays and journeyed to Mars.
Small sats in deep space
NASA had several goals with MarCO. The MarCOs proved that small satellites could thrive in deep space and stream data back home.
A few months after their mission ended, the European Space Agency announced that it would send two CubeSats on its "Hera" mission to a binary system.
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The Worst Lockdown
A two-week quarantine is nothing new for NASA astronauts who are part of the International Space Station(ISS), as they have to isolate themselves before launch, for a ‘health stabilization’.
Advice From An Astronaut
The astronaut’s advice for people in lockdown, trying to work from home:
- It helps to have any sort of normal routine, like getting up on time and following the weekdays as before.
- Keep your mind engaged with positivity and connect with your loved ones as much as possible.