What steps can I take to becoming an astronaut?
151576
Continue on a college track curriculum at your high school.  Take a lot of math, science, physics and computer/engineering classes if offered. Do as well as you can. Godo grades matter. Stay active and physically fit.\n\nI think that having a miltary background helps. Look for colleges and universities that offer ROTC programs. Consider Airforce or Navy. If you focus on the needs of space exploration in terms of course of study, and work hard then you can have a chance. Most astrobauts di come from the miltary. Those that do not are scientists thatare top of their field. Combining both will help. Major in physics, enginnering, biochemistry, work hard with an ROTC program, apply to flight school and try to get the skills you will need to apply.\n\nCheck out:\nhttp://spaceflight.nasa.gov/outreach/jobsinfo/astronaut.html\nhttp://spaceflight.nasa.gov/outreach/jobsinfo/astronaut101.html\nhttp://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/astronauts/wannabe.html\nhttp://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/astronauts/training.html\n\n\nWithout the miltary option, then go the hardcore science route. Look for graduate schools that focus on programs that will lead to future space exploration. MIT, CalTech, and the like. to date, ex Navy/Airforce, teachers, and scientists have made up the vast majority of space faring folks. You want to be a part of one of those groups, knowing that teachers are few and far between to be picked.\nBest of luck to ya.
599416
To become a pilot you have two routes... You can either go to the air force where they will train you or  you can go to school... get a your privates license... then eventually maybe become a commercial pilot... Although it will cost thousands of dollars to get trained and some years to get the proper hours necessary to get enough hours to fly commercial.  I think the requirement for eyesight is 20/20 corrected (with glasses).  You also have to pass a physical.  Certain schools offer good flight programs if you choose the college route.  Check out Western Michigan University
597668
Just remember the first words said when man landed on the moon: Not "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind, but rather "Just like drill".  Take your test the same way you've practiced the whole year and you'll do fine.\n\nAnd I prayed
1050217
You could join NASA, but I don't think they'll let you in until you at least learn to spell. Anyway, they might send you to the moon, but you would just have to come back again eventually.
241183
there is a wonderful website that answers all your questoins and even gives link to NASA, good luck space man\nhttp://spaceflight.nasa.gov/outreach/jobsinfo/astronaut.html
768335
You need to start with simple model rockets and work your way up.\n\nDepending on where you live, you need to work your way up to something that big.  This would involve getting a license.\n\nIt is also a big event and would require a large investment of time and money.
1046254
Just say " commercial executive in the aerospace industry " and leave it open, cause people may find you good in an area that you never looked at.... also try meeting with as many people possible. Networking is very important.\n\nBe a bit choosy in taking a job.
241975
Obviously you need to access a library. Searching UCLA's online catalog I found the following publication from NASA which has short biographical sketches of all astronauts and cosmonauts:\n\nTitle:  Astronaut fact book [electronic resource]\nPublished/distributed: [Washington, D.C.] : National Aeronautics and Space Administration\nSeries: Information summaries\nInformation summaries (United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration)\nSubject(s): Astronauts --United States --Biography.\nRecord ID: 4969887\nCollection: UCLA Libraries and Collections\n\nThe library link is: \nhttp://catalog.library.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=2&ti=1,2&Search%5FArg=biography%20AND%20astronaut&Search%5FCode=CMD&SL=None&CNT=50&PID=11922&SEQ=20060317211641&SID=6\n\nThe document link is:\nhttp://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/nautfb.pdf\n\nCopyright date (although this is a public domain document) is July 2003. Publisher is National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
1163519
GO NAVY!!\n First off good for you setting a goal in your life and looking at ways to prepare you for it. \n1. I recommend Studying in school first and foremost.\n2. Once you are in High School do ROTC. \n3. Join a Boy Scout Troop and achieve the rank of EAGLE SCOUT.\n4. Join United States Sea Cadet Corp (good prep)\n5. Get a copy of the Blue Jackets Manual. (study it)\n6. Be physically fit \n7. Eat healthy
94653
well u can fly airplane .. u should go for commercial pilot .. have a bright chance as ur having engineering skills . i am also engineering student from ur community.\nTo get pilot license u need to go from some 300(guess) hours of flying course u can find these in countries like australia and canada best and cheap for it.\nthere r more jobs and money for commercial pilots in future
976940
pretty simple.  Go to a recruitment center and sign up.   Becasue of your degree you might qualify for officer school.
46936
Typically astronauts come out of the military since NASA, government and military have similar aviation ties.  ANYONE can be an astronaut but is does take alot of education and "moving up the ranks".  The type of education required usually needs to be heavily science + math based.  Pilot training is absolutely crucial.  \n\nor \n\nmake a ton of money and pay the russians to take you as has been the case of Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth and Gregory Olsen.  Greg Olsen reported paid $20 million for his 10-day stint.
704890
Says Dr. Sally K. Ride ...\n\n"The most important steps that I followed were studying math and science in school. I was always interested in physics and astronomy and chemistry, and I continued to study those subjects through high school and college on into graduate school. That's what prepared me for being an astronaut; it actually gave me the qualifications to be selected to be an astronaut. I think the advice that I would give to any kids who want to be astronauts is to make sure that they realize that NASA is looking for people with a whole variety of backgrounds: they are looking for medical doctors, microbiologists, geologists, physicists, electrical engineers. So find something that you really like and then pursue it as far as you can and NASA is apt to be interested in that profession."
205790
An admirable goal!  \nStep 1.  Get a set of thick glasses, break them on one side or in the middle.  Repair with masking tape.\n\nStep 2.  Learn the ins and outs of every episode of Star Trek.  Know the names, become familiar with planetary systems and other races.\n\nStep 3.  Learn Klingon.  Seriously, buy the tapes, practice consistently, and beef up the for next Trekkie convention.\n\nStep 4.  Purchase a Subscription to Reader's Digest.  Not, in and of itself a nerdy activity, but turn to the vocabulary section.  Learn these words and include them in everyday vocabulary.\n\nStep 5.  Develop and groom and understanding of the scientific and physical aspects of everyday phenomenom.  Such as why the water in a toilet swirls only one direction in Northern Hemisphere and the other direction in the Southern Hemisphere.  Be prepared to share with anyone within earshot.\n\nStep 6.  Purchase a pocket protector for your ink pens.  Only wear button up shirts with a pocket, and make sure you have a pen for every situation.  \n\nStep 7.  Switch from wallet to "he-purse", which has been medically proven to be much better for your posture!\n\nStep 8.  Learn to program and tinker with every electronic device known to man.  But don't personally own any, as you don't want to be tied down to the restrictions society places on us by insisting that we always be chained to a cell phone or palm pilot.\n\nStep 9.  Work long, difficult equations with a chinese marker on your windows.  Mutter to yourself while working out the solutions.\n\nStep 10.  Get yourself the most unusual (and often scariest) pet you can handle (hissing cock roach, African Tarantula, Poison Dart Frog) and learn everything about it.  When people ask you about it, launch into a mini lecture about your pet, including normal diet and reproductive habits.\n\nCongratulations - you are well on your way to becoming a nerd.  The only way to truly test your nerdiness is to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation.  Go to a really happening club as your new, nerdy self.  If lots of people stare at you, then you only succeeded in Looking like a nerd.  But if you actually begin to repel people, then, you are a true NERD!!!!
506998
CIVILIAN ROUTE\n1. Get your pilot certificates and ratings via a flying club or school at the local airport, or a university aviation program. A newly certificated commercial pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings usually has about 250 hours. This is not enough for the airlines*. (See note* at bottom)\n\n2. Build up flight experience until about 1,000 flight hours. Most regional airlines require pilots to have at least 1,000 hours of flight time, with 100 of that being in multi-engine aircraft and a Commercial/Multi/Instrument certificate. (An Airline Transport Pilot certificate is not required until you make captain.) Common time building jobs are: banner towing, skydive pilot, pipeline patrol, traffic watch or flight instruction (with the additional Certified Flight Instructor rating)\n\n3. Get a degree. You do not need a degree in aviation, but having a degree in any subject is a requirement to getting hired on at a major airline. The regionals aren't so picky. Many think they must have an aviation degree to have an edge but when or if you are ever furloughed during your career an aviation degree is useless.\n\n4. Upon reaching the magic 1,000 hours begin applying! Hopefully you will get hired. Learn to live on a budget as regional airline pay is not very good. After building up about 2,000-3,000 hours and "paying your dues" at a regional you then qualify for a job with a major carrier.\n\n5. Begin applying all over again to the majors.....\n\n* There are some airline academy programs (Delta Connection Academy, Mesa Ailines Pilot Development, Flight Safety among others) that offer a "quick entry" scheme into the right seat of a regional airline in two years or less. They are very costly and do not guarantee a job, but an interview only. If you pass their program and the airline interview, you could very well be hired as a First Officer at 300-400 hours. Some are very pro this method while others in the industry are not as they feel it's "buying a job". Some academy grads will face discrimination during their career because of this.\n\nMILITARY ROUTE\nJoin the military and hope to get selected as a pilot candidate for one of the highly competitive openings. Manage to pass flight school (failure rate is about 25%). Become a military aviator. Don't get killed while serving your country. Get out after 12 years and apply to the airlines.\n\nIf you simply want to fly for an airline, do not join the Air Force as a means to that end. Do it if you want to serve your country but don't think of it simply as a way to get "free flight training" so you can become an airline pilot.\n\nIn all reality, it's not truly "free" and the openings for military aviators are fewer and more competitive than they have ever been. If you somehow manage to even get accepted into the service as a pilot candidate and make it through flight school, you will be committed for a dedade or more. You could also get killed in the line of duty.\n\nIn decades past, the major airlines drew almost exculsively from former military pilots. Former military pilots either dominated the hiring boards or they would recommend their friends who were getting out of the service and looking into airline careers. This big "squadron buddy" network was how the majority of pilots got hired.\n\nThat is not the case today. For several years now the airlines have been increasingly hiring pilots from a civilian background. According to statistics compiled from Air Inc http://www.jet-jobs.com , about 65% of new hires are civilian. This is partly the result of a smaller pool of military pilots available to the airlines than in decades past and the increase in the number of civilian trained pilots with previous jet and airline experience. Almost all the regionals now fly jets, many that go higher or are more advanced than mainline aircraft. Additionally, most pilots looking to move onto a major carrier
150457
1. Become an Ordained Minister.\n2. Be elected or appointed a Judge.\n3. Become the captain of a ship.\n4. Become a Justice of the Peace.
280475
It doesn't matter what you pick, just that you do it full-heartedly.  You can't fail if you try your hardest.  If you want to be an astronaut, chances are you're not gonna make it.  but if you try, and even if you arn't an astronaut, then no regrets!  If you want to be a CPA but are too lazy and instead are a receptionist... regret.