What does it take to become an astronaut? This is Nasa’s main requirement including specific height and weight

IF YOU ever dreamed of being an astronaut as a child, you know it’s no easy feat – here are Nasa’s requirements for the job.

The US space agency revealed about it website All requirements need to be met by someone before they have a shot into space.

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What do astronauts do?

Before we get into what it takes to be an astronaut, here’s what an astronaut actually does.

The roles and responsibilities of an astronaut can range from anywhere from piloting a spacecraft to working as a scientist aboard the International Space Organization (ISS).

Nasa astronauts in particular do a lot of research and conduct hands-on experiments on the ISS – a space laboratory that orbits the Earth.

Some of these experiments include studying cancer, the human body, and life in space.

Nasa has also long shared its ambition to send astronauts to Mars, which will be an unthinkable experience for those lucky enough to be chosen.

More recently, however, the aviation agency is planning to send the first woman and next man to the moon by 2024.

The next scientist in space could be you – if you meet the criteria, that is.

What does it take to be an astronaut?

The requirements for becoming a Nasa astronaut have changed over the years to better align with the agency’s mission and values.

As it is writing, these are the requirements.

First, a potential applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

They must also hold a master’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution – accepted degrees include engineering, biological sciences, physical sciences, computer science or mathematics.

On top of that, a potential candidate must have at least two years of relevant professional experience upon completion of their degree, or “at least 1,000 hours of jet flying time,” the agency notes.

Nasa also highlights the types of traits it’s looking for in its astronauts, including a skilled leader, a good communicator, and a good collaborator.

Physical requirements

However, just being educated to become an astronaut is not enough, the candidate must also be able to withstand the physical pressure of being in space.

Note that, a person must be extremely fit and able to pass the Nasa long flight astronaut physical, agility, body coordination, eye coordination and eyesight tests.

Furthermore, the Nasa astronaut positions require applicants to have a specific height and weight.

To be a pilot or pilot astronaut you need to be between 158 cm and 190 cm tall and to be a mission expert you need to be between 149 cm and 193 cm tall.

In general, astronauts must weigh between 50 and 95 kg (110 to 209 pounds) and measure between 149.5cm and 190.5cm.

Selection process

If a person meets all of the above requirements, their application will be sent to Nasa’s Astronaut Selection Board for consideration.

The chances of being selected are slim as the agency gets tens of thousands of applications each year (it’s most people’s dream job, after all).

If successfully selected from the crowd, the panel will invite you, along with a small group of the most qualified candidates, for an interview at Nasa’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

About half of those are invited back for a second interview, and then from those applicants, a select few are welcomed back for a two-year training.

The course covers basic astronaut skills such as spacewalking, space station operation, jet flying, and robotic arm control.

After completing basic training, astronauts will have the opportunity to go where very few people have ever gone: Deep space.

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