They need space: Record-breaking 18,300 Americans apply to be an astronaut

OPINION:

The stars are calling, apparently. Two months ago, NASA put out the word they would be hiring astronauts. Over 18,300 eager Americans quickly sent in their resumes. The right stuff is required, however. The federal space agency will only pick about a dozen candidates from the huge flock of hopefuls - three times the number of applications that arrived during the last search four years ago.

“Frequent travel may be required,” the astronaut candidate job application noted when it went public in December.

It is a rarity. NASA has only hired 300 astronauts over the years; the current salary range is $66,026 to $144,566. The age of astronaut hires have ranged all the way up to 46; the average age is 34. U.S. citizenship is a must and both military and civilian applicants are welcome in the program. The 2017 class of astronauts may fly aboard the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and the Orion deep-space exploration vehicle. Future travel to Mars is a big draw.

“It’s not at all surprising to me that so many Americans from diverse backgrounds want to personally contribute to blazing the trail on our journey to Mars,” said NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, a former astronaut.

The selection process take 18-months, and it is methodical. A board must review each and every application, the few who make the cut will visit Johnson Space Center in Houston for interviews, a final selection and two years of initial training. That includes practice on spacecraft systems, spacewalking skills and learning Russian for starters.

“We have our work cut out for us with this many applications,” said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at Johnson. “But it’s heartening to know so many people recognize what a great opportunity this is.”