NASA is Recruiting for Mars: Now Is Your Chance to be an Astronaut

First Posted: Nov 09, 2015 10:11 AM EST

Want to be an astronaut? NASA is recruiting. The space agency is hiring new personnel for its new missions into deep-space, Mars and beyond.

It's not easy being selected to be an astronaut. Candidates are selected on an as needed basis, and must meet a series of minimum requirements. This includes a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics, and must include at least three years of related professional experience or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.

In addition to education, astronauts must pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, including distant and near visual acuity, blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position, and must be between 62 and 75 inches in height.

The newest recruit drive comes after NASA unveiled new potential missions to Mars, asteroids and other locations. In theory, these missions would be the first time humans travel beyond low-orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Currently, the U.S. has about 300 astronauts. NASA rarely announces recruitment opportunities, so now's your time to get in on the action. The last time NASA made an announcement was in 2011. At the time, 6,100 people applied, but only eight people in total were selected.

For more information about how to apply to be an astronaut, visit NASA's website.

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TagsNASA, NASA’s, Astronaut, Astronauts, space, international space station, Spacecraft