<p>Does anyone know? I want to be an astronaut really bad…I’m doing pilot training right now…it is incredibly amazing…</p>
<p>anyone know?</p>
<p>theblumuffin:</p>
<p>I’m not sure what the direct correlation between obtaining an aero/astro degree from MIT and getting into NASA’s astronaut program is, but according to the Tech: “MIT’s Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics has two former astronauts on its faculty–professors Laurence Young and Jeffrey Hoffman–and works closely with NASA on many research projects. The Institute has 33 alumni from many different departments who have become astronauts–more than any other non-military institution in the U.S. Those alumni have flown in more than one-third of the nation’s space flights.”</p>
<p>I have a friend who, at one point in time, really want to be an astronaut, and from what I recall from our conversations, NASA often seeks candidates from different backgrounds; not necessarily just those who have a degree in aero/astro, but also biology, physics, mechanical engineering, etc. Also, not to be discouraging, but I believe manned space flight is increasingly less common nowadays. You’re far more likely to have your research/experiements launched into space.</p>
<p>If you are interested in aero/astro, however, MIT’s program is great, and everyone I know who’s in the department loves it.</p>
<p>Well, to be an astronaut, you must have to be a very knowledgable and excellent pilot. From the pilot pool, NASA, ESA or whatever it is will pick the healthiest and most knowledgable of engineering stuff.</p>
<p>In an Astro course, they will teach you stuff that is needed to be a grounder in Houston, not the things for someone up in the sky.</p>
<p>I think you already got the idea by now.</p>
<p>I recently went to a lecture by an astronaut who went to MIT. She talked about how it took her 4 times applying to the astronaut program before she got in. But she flew 5 times in space, so I guess it paid off.</p>