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=Astronaut Training.=


 * Health and Education Requirements+ Favourite Real-Life Astronaut**

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The road to becoming an astronaut is a long and difficult one, with very high expectations. There are four different types of astronauts, each with different responsibilities and roles on the space shuttle. They are commander, payload, mission specialist, and pilot astronauts. Each role has similar but not exact minimum requirements. Applicants are notified that qualification as a candidate does not ensure selection as an astronaut. Final selection depends upon successful completion of at least a 1 year training/evaluation period. Those who are unsuccessful are placed in other positions at NASA.

 Before applying, an applicant must possess a bachelors degree or higher in engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. They must also be able to pass a NASA space physical, which includes the following standards: - Distant visual acuity of 20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye - Blood pressure of 140/90 measured in sitting position - Height between 64-76 inches 1000 hours of pilot in command time in a jet air craft is highly desirable as there can be much competition for the candidate positions. 
 * Commander/Pilot Astronaut**


 * Payload Specialists**

Pay load specialists have specialized on board duties. They are sometimes added to space missions that have unique requirements or require additional crew members. Although mission specialists are considered when additional crew members are needed, they can be nominated after meeting certain minimum requirements.

**Mission Specialists**

An applicant must posses a bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. In addition, the degree must be followed by at least three years of professional experience in the related field. More advanced degrees will require a shorter amount of professional experience needed to qualify (Ex. master’s=1 year). The applicant must be able to pass a NASA space physical which includes the following:

- Distant visual acuity of 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye - Blood pressure of 140/90 measured in a sitting position - Height 58.5-76 inches The physical requirements are slightly less demanding then the pilot/commander positions but the expectations for the level of education increased. There is a lot of competition for these positions.

Not all successful applicants go on to become an astronaut. Candidates are sent to at least 1 year of training at JSC near Houston, Texas. They attend classes on shuttle systems in basic science, technology, and mathematics. Candidates are exposed to potenial problems they may encounter and learn to adapt against various atompheric pressures and tempertures that exist in space. Pilot Astronauts are required to fly 15 hours per months inorder to maintin or improve flying profiency. They are given training on both land and sea, survival training, scuba diving, space suits, and learn to operate various eqiupment on the space shuttle. Those who are not selected as astronauts are offered other positions in NASA.
 * Candidate Training **

**My Favourite Astronaut**

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