NASA Astronaut Corps
Encyclopedia
The NASA Astronaut Corps is a unit of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) that selects, trains, and provides astronaut
s as crew members for U.S. and international space missions.
NASA selects candidates from a diverse pool of applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds. From the thousands of applications received, only a few are chosen for the intensive Astronaut Candidate training program. Including the “Original Seven”, only 339 candidates have been selected to date.
, although members may be assigned to other locations based on mission requirements, e.g. Soyuz training at Star City, Russia.
The Chief of the Astronaut Office
is the most senior leadership position for active astronauts in the Corps. The Chief Astronaut serves as head of the Corps and is the principal adviser to the NASA Administrator on astronaut training and operations. The first Chief Astronaut was Deke Slayton
, appointed in 1962. The current Chief Astronaut is Peggy Whitson
, the first woman to hold the position. She is assisted by Christopher Ferguson
as Deputy Chief Astronaut.
Military astronauts are detailed to the Johnson Space Center and remain in an active duty status for pay, benefits, leave, and other similar military matters.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens to apply for the program, applicants with valid U.S. dual-citizenship are also eligible.
Pass a strict physical examination, and have a near and distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 (6/6).
Blood pressure, while sitting, must be no greater than 140 over 90.
A bachelor's degree in engineering
, biological science, physical science
or mathematics
, as well as at least three years of related professional experience (graduate work or studies) and an advanced degree (master's degree = 1 year or a doctoral degree = 3 years)
Height must be 5 ft 2 in to 6 ft 4 in (1.57 to 1.93 m).
Twelve members of the Astronaut Corps were killed during spaceflight, Space Shuttle missions STS-51-L
and STS-107
. An additional seven were killed in training accidents. Sonny Carter
died in a plane crash while traveling on NASA business.
Only two members of the Corps have been involuntarily dismissed: Lisa Nowak
and William Oefelein
. Both were returned to service with the U.S. Navy.
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
(NASA) that selects, trains, and provides astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
s as crew members for U.S. and international space missions.
History
The first U.S. astronaut candidates were selected in 1959, before human spaceflight operations began. NASA asked the military services to provide a list of personnel who met specific qualifications. After stringent screening, NASA announced its selection of seven men, all pilots, as the first members of the NASA Astronaut Corps. NASA has selected 20 more groups of astronauts since the “Original Seven.” The backgrounds of NASA’s latest group of candidates include schoolteachers, doctors, scientists, and engineers.NASA selects candidates from a diverse pool of applicants with a wide variety of backgrounds. From the thousands of applications received, only a few are chosen for the intensive Astronaut Candidate training program. Including the “Original Seven”, only 339 candidates have been selected to date.
Organization
The Astronaut Corps is based at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space CenterLyndon B. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's center for human spaceflight training, research and flight control. The center consists of a complex of 100 buildings constructed on 1,620 acres in Houston, Texas, USA...
, although members may be assigned to other locations based on mission requirements, e.g. Soyuz training at Star City, Russia.
The Chief of the Astronaut Office
Chief of the Astronaut Office
The Chief of the Astronaut Office is the most senior leadership position for active astronauts at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration...
is the most senior leadership position for active astronauts in the Corps. The Chief Astronaut serves as head of the Corps and is the principal adviser to the NASA Administrator on astronaut training and operations. The first Chief Astronaut was Deke Slayton
Deke Slayton
Donald Kent Slayton , better known as Deke Slayton, was an American World War II pilot and later, one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts....
, appointed in 1962. The current Chief Astronaut is Peggy Whitson
Peggy Whitson
Peggy Annette Whitson is an American biochemistry researcher, NASA astronaut, and NASA's Chief Astronaut. Her first space mission was in 2002, with an extended stay aboard the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 5. Her second mission launched October 10, 2007, as the first female...
, the first woman to hold the position. She is assisted by Christopher Ferguson
Christopher Ferguson
Christopher J. Ferguson is a United States Navy captain and a NASA astronaut. He was the pilot of Space Shuttle Atlantis on his first mission to space, STS-115, which launched on September 9, 2006 and returned to Earth on September 21, 2006...
as Deputy Chief Astronaut.
Salary
Salaries for civilian astronauts are based upon the U.S. Federal Government's General Schedule pay scale for grades GS-11 through GS-14. The grade is determined in accordance with each individual's academic achievements and experience. Currently a GS-11 starts at $64,724 per year and a GS-14 can earn up to $141,715 per year.Military astronauts are detailed to the Johnson Space Center and remain in an active duty status for pay, benefits, leave, and other similar military matters.
Qualifications
There are no age restrictions for the NASA Astronaut Corps. Astronaut candidates have ranged between the ages of 26 and 46, with the average age being 34.Candidates must be U.S. citizens to apply for the program, applicants with valid U.S. dual-citizenship are also eligible.
Pass a strict physical examination, and have a near and distant visual acuity correctable to 20/20 (6/6).
Blood pressure, while sitting, must be no greater than 140 over 90.
A bachelor's degree in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, biological science, physical science
Physical science
Physical science is an encompassing term for the branches of natural science and science that study non-living systems, in contrast to the life sciences...
or mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, as well as at least three years of related professional experience (graduate work or studies) and an advanced degree (master's degree = 1 year or a doctoral degree = 3 years)
Height must be 5 ft 2 in to 6 ft 4 in (1.57 to 1.93 m).
Astronauts
the corps has 62 active astronauts, including 33 military officers, four medical doctors, and 15 with doctorates. The highest number of active astronauts at one time, was in 2000 when there were 149.Astronaut Candidates
The term "Astronaut Candidate" refers to individuals who have been selected by NASA as candidates for the NASA Astronaut Corps and are currently undergoing a candidacy training program at the Johnson Space Center. Nine candidates were selected in June 2009 to join the Astronaut Corps. Upon completion of a two-year training program, they were promoted to the rank of Astronaut.- Pilots: Jack D. FischerJack D. FischerJack David "2fish" Fischer is an American test pilot and a NASA astronaut. Fischer was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20 and qualified as an astronaut in 2011.-Biography:...
, Scott D. TingleScott D. TingleScott David Tingle is a current NASA Astronaut. Tingle was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20, qualifying in 2011.-Biography:...
, and Gregory R. (Reid) WisemanGregory R. WisemanGregory Reid Wiseman is an American astronaut and naval aviator. Wiseman was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20 and qualified as an astronaut in 2011... - Non-pilots: Serena M. AuñónSerena M. AuñónSerena Maria Auñón, M.D., M.P.H., is an American physician, engineer, and NASA astronaut. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Auñón lives in League City, Texas.-Education:...
, Jeanette J. EppsJeanette J. EppsJeanette Jo Epps is a CIA intelligence officer, and current NASA astronaut. Born in Syracuse, New York, Epps lives in Fairfax, Virginia.-Education:Epps holds degrees from Le Moyne College, and the University of Maryland...
, Michael S. HopkinsMichael S. HopkinsMichael Scott Hopkins is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, and a current NASA astronaut. Hopkins was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20. He is currently assigned as a Flight Engineer on Soyuz TMA-10M/Expedition 37/Expedition 38 scheduled for launch in...
, Kjell N. LindgrenKjell N. LindgrenKjell Norwood Lindgren is a current NASA astronaut. Lindgren was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20.-Biography:...
, Kathleen (Kate) RubinsKathleen RubinsKathleen Hallisey Rubins is a current NASA astronaut. Rubins was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20.-Biographical elements:...
, and Mark T. Vande HeiMark T. Vande HeiMark Thomas Vande Hei is a current NASA astronaut. Vande Hei was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20.-Biography:Lt. Colonel Vande Hei, U.S. Army, was born in Falls Church, Virginia...
Former members
Civilian candidates are expected to remain with the Corps for at least five years following initial training while military candidates are assigned for specific tours. Following that, members of the Astronaut Corps may resign/retire at any time.Twelve members of the Astronaut Corps were killed during spaceflight, Space Shuttle missions STS-51-L
STS-51-L
STS-51-L was the twenty-fifth flight of the American Space Shuttle program, which marked the first time an ordinary civilian, schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe, had flown aboard the Space Shuttle. The mission used Space Shuttle Challenger, which lifted off from the Launch Complex 39-B on 28 January...
and STS-107
STS-107
-Mission parameters:*Mass:**Orbiter Liftoff: **Orbiter Landing: **Payload: *Perigee: *Apogee: *Inclination: 39.0°*Period: 90.1 min- Insignia :...
. An additional seven were killed in training accidents. Sonny Carter
Sonny Carter
Manley Lanier "Sonny" Carter, Jr. was an American physician, professional soccer player, naval officer, and NASA astronaut who flew on STS-33.-Early life:...
died in a plane crash while traveling on NASA business.
Only two members of the Corps have been involuntarily dismissed: Lisa Nowak
Lisa Nowak
Lisa Marie Nowak is a former American naval flight officer and NASA astronaut. Born in Washington, D.C., she was selected by NASA in 1996 and qualified as a mission specialist in robotics...
and William Oefelein
William Oefelein
William Anthony "Bill" Oefelein is an American businessman and a former test pilot instructor, naval officer and NASA astronaut who, on his only spaceflight, piloted the STS-116 Space Shuttle mission....
. Both were returned to service with the U.S. Navy.
Selection groups
- 1959 Group 1Mercury SevenMercury Seven was the group of seven Mercury astronauts selected by NASA on April 9, 1959. They are also referred to as the Original Seven and Astronaut Group 1...
- "The Mercury Seven" - 1962 Group 2 - "The New Nine"
- 1963 Group 3 - "The Fourteen"
- 1965 Group 4 - "The Scientists"
- 1966 Group 5 - "The Original 19"
- 1967 Group 6 - "The Excess Eleven (XS-11)"
- 1969 Group 7
- 1978 Group 8 - "Thirty-Five New Guys (TFNG)" (class included first female candidates)
- 1980 Group 9NASA Astronaut Group 9NASA Astronaut Group 9 was announced on May 29, 1980. There were 9 Pilots, 11 Mission Specialists, and 2 International Mission Specialists.-Pilots:*John E. Blaha Retired...
- "19+80" - 1984 Group 10NASA Astronaut Group 10NASA Astronaut Group 10 consisted of the following individuals Kenneth Cameron, John Casper, Frank Culbertson, Sidney Gutierrez, Blaine Hammond, Michael McCulley, James Wetherbee, James Adamson, Ellen Baker, Mark Brown, Sonny Carter, Marsha Ivins, Mark Lee, David Low, William Shepherd, Kathryn...
- "The Maggots" - 1985 Group 11NASA Astronaut Group 11-Pilots:*Michael A. Baker - 4 flights -Pilots:*Michael A. Baker - 4 flights -Pilots:*Michael A. Baker - 4 flights :STS-43 Atlantis:STS-52 Columbia:STS-68 Endeavour:STS-81 Atlantis*Robert D...
- 1987 Group 12NASA Astronaut Group 12-Pilots:-Mission specialists:-Further information:The group's informal nickname is an acronym for "George Abbey Final Fifteen". Of this group, Mae Jemison would become the first female African-American in space, while Michael Foale would fly aboard the Mir space station...
- "The GAFFes" - 1990 Group 13NASA Astronaut Group 13NASA's Astronaut Group 13 was announced by NASA on 17 January 1990. The group name came from its selection of a black cat as a mascot, to play against the traditional unlucky connotations of the number 13.- Pilots :*Kenneth Cockrell...
- "The Hairballs" - 1992 Group 14NASA Astronaut Group 14There were 23 astronauts in the NASA Astronaut Group 15. The group name for these astronaut trainees was originally The Snails because no group was convened the previous year and thus the group was slow in coming...
- "The Hogs" - 1994 Group 15 - "The Snails" aka "The Flying Escargot"
- 1996 Group 16NASA Astronaut Group 16NASA's Astronaut Group 16 was announced by NASA on 1 May 1996. The class was nicknamed "The Sardines" for being such a large class, humorously implying that their training sessions would be as tightly packed as sardines in a can. These 44 candidates were in fact the largest astronaut class ever...
- "The Sardines" (largest class to date, 35 NASA candidates and nine international astronauts) - 1998 Group 17NASA Astronaut Group 17NASA Astronaut Group 17 . The group saw the training of eight pilots, seventeen mission specialists, and seven international mission specialists become NASA astronauts...
- "The Penguins" - 2000 Group 18NASA Astronaut Group 18NASA Astronaut Group 18 . The group saw the training of seven pilots and ten mission specialists to become NASA astronauts. These 17 astronauts began training in August 2000.-Pilots:* Dominic A. Antonelli** Pilot, STS-119...
- "The Bugs" - 2004 Group 19NASA Astronaut Group 19NASA Astronaut Group 19 . The group saw the training of two pilots, six mission specialists, three educator mission specialists to become NASA astronauts...
- "The Peacocks" - 2009 Group 20NASA Astronaut Group 20NASA Astronaut Group 20 saw the training of nine mission specialists, and five international mission specialists to become NASA astronauts. These 14 astronauts began training in August 2009 and officially graduated as astronauts on 4 November 2011....
- "The Chumps" - 2013 Group 21NASA Astronaut Group 21NASA Astronaut Group 21 is a group of astronauts to be hired sometime in 2013. NASA announced the creation of this new astronaut group in October, 2011 and began accepting applications for astronaut hires in November, 2011. NASA currently projects training for this group of astronauts to commence...
- To be named
See also
- Canadian Astronaut CorpsCanadian Astronaut CorpsThe Canadian Astronaut Corps is a unit of the Canadian Space Agency that selects, trains, and provides astronauts as crew members for U.S...
- European Astronaut CorpsEuropean Astronaut CorpsThe European Astronaut Corps is a unit of the European Space Agency that selects, trains, and provides astronauts as crew members on U.S. and Russian space missions. As of May 2010, 21 ESA astronauts have flown in space, including one female. There are currently 14 active members of the Corps. The...
- List of astronauts by selection
- Human spaceflightHuman spaceflightHuman spaceflight is spaceflight with humans on the spacecraft. When a spacecraft is manned, it can be piloted directly, as opposed to machine or robotic space probes and remotely-controlled satellites....
- History of spaceflightHistory of spaceflightSpaceflight, became a reality in the 20th Century following theoretical and practical breakthroughs by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Robert H. Goddard.-Background:...