Astronomy is a very highly competitive field. The rare individuals who have walked the surface of the moon have gone through years of extreme training, study and research and much more to be able to do it. They have proved that everything is possible even if it feels like it is out of the world, quite literally.
If you have a similar desire to touch the heights of the stars of the universe, this article could help you carve your trajectory.
What Is An Astronaut And What Do They Do?
An astronaut is an individual who goes through rigorous training to fly into space and study the universe. From gazing at the stars and planets from a distance to being in space and personally experiencing them can be a lively experience. It’s a dream come true for many people.
Being an astronaut requires one to have intellectual acumen as astronauts enter outer space via spacecraft to discover and explore the universe and that requires understanding in-depth scientific findings.
Types Of Astronauts
Yes, you read it right. There are types of astronauts and various positions to apply for in the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) or The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Let’s dig deep into the types:
Pilot Astronauts
Pilot astronauts play a very important role in shuttle flights or the international space station. They either serve as the commander or the pilot. They ensure the safety of the flight and the crew. To apply for this role you need to go through rigorous training that replicates possible space conditions.
Mission Specialist Astronauts
Mission specialist astronauts work closely with the pilot and the commanders of the shuttle. They are mostly responsible for coordinating onboard operations, experiments, maintaining equipment and monitoring the shuttle’s consumables. They can belong from different backgrounds like science, medicine or engineering.
A space mission can go from days to months and for that the astronauts need to go through extensive training.
What Are The Steps To Become An Astronaut?
A candidate needs to know the steps to become an Astronaut to work accordingly to achieve the goals.
Step 1: Select a stream. Once you clear your 10th standard you need to opt for a Science stream with chemistry, physics and mathematics being the core subjects to become an astronaut.
Step 2: Clear grade 12th.
Step 3: Complete your bachelorette degree in the same field.
Step 4: You need to have a master’s or a doctorate, especially in subjects like mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics or aerospace engineering from a recognized university/college.
Step 5: Give competitive exams organized by ISRO or NASA.
Step 6: Job preparation, exercise and maintain your physical fitness as it is also equally important to be an astronaut.
Qualification And Requirements To Be An Astronaut In ISRO
All the aspiring candidates who desire to be an astronaut in ISRO need to understand the qualification and eligibility criteria to become one. Let’s understand more about it.
- A citizen of India.
- A bachelor’s degree from a renowned university/college in either engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics.
- Mostly a doctorate or a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering or aerospace engineering. If you want to hold higher positions, the Science stream will add up to your achievements.
- Preferably an Indian Air Force pilot gets more preference due to the professional flying aircraft experience
Physical Requirements
Being an astronaut does not just require you to be educationally well versed but also needs you to be physically fit:
- A candidate should have a nice height-weight ratio and meet the requirements of blood pressure and other medical ratios.
- Excellent physical shape
- A regular and healthy lifestyle with exercise and a balanced diet
- A candidate should have good eyesight and should not suffer from any chronic health conditions
What Are The Skills Required To Be An Astronaut?
Apart from being eligible for being astronaut you need to possess some traits and skills, lets us get to know some of them:
- Communication skills
- Leadership skills
- Coordination skills
- Observational skills
- Advanced intelligence
- Physical stamina
- Potential to trust
- Teamwork
- Curiosity
- Adaptability
- Resourcefulness
- Multi-tasking
- Bits of patience and calmness
- English language proficiency and it would be better if you know other foreign languages
Advantages Of Becoming An Astronaut
Every profession has its perks so being an Astronaut has its advantages:
- Seeing the Earth and other planets from space
- A good chance to experience the infinite space
- Be able to use high ended innovative gadgets and tech
- An opportunity to work with the greatest mind and people
Disadvantages Of Becoming An Astronaut
Some of the disadvantages of becoming an Astronaut are below:
- You can get injured or even lost in the space
- Muscle weakness and bone loss
- You can get a feeling of isolation and end up being stressed
- Radiation effects
- Enduring exhausting training and being away from friends and family
- Other health effects
Even though the disadvantages overpower the advantages, the profession still makes you curious about the universe and a sense of perspective along with recognition of the world.
Salary Of An Astronaut
Astronauts are highly respected and knowledgeable individuals. They spent years and years in research and training and getting into renowned facilities like ISRO and NASA is not an easy task. According to Glassdoor, the national average salary of an Astronaut in India is INR 1,15,164. The average NASA astronaut’s salary is around INR 11,762,024 i.e. around eleven million per year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much time will it take me to become an astronaut?
It will approximately take ten years to become an astronaut. It takes four years of bachelor’s degree, two years of master’s degree, additional two years of professional experience and later two years of basic training. It can take you longer depending on how quickly you clear your coursework and training.
How does ISRO select its astronauts?
ISRO chooses the astronauts through a rigorous procedure that includes candidates to give written exams, physical fitness tests and interviews.
How to become an astronaut in ISRO?
Candidates should have a degree in medical or science and engineering. A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% marks to be eligible. The opportunities in ISRO are very limited. Nevertheless, if there’s an advertisem*nt it will be available on the official website of ISRO.
What are the best institutions in India to become an Astronaut?
Below are a few best institutions and training centers to become an Astronaut in India:
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
- Amity University
- Indian Institute of Technology
What are the requirements to be a NASA Astronaut?
The basic requirements are:
- Be an American citizen
- Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree either in Physical/Computer science, biology, engineering or math.
- An aggregate score of 65%
- A professional experience of 3 years or thousand hours of piloting
What is the age limit for being an astronaut in ISRO?
There is no age limit as such for being an Astronaut in ISRO but the age range generally is between 27 to 37 years.
