- Position Title
- Astronaut Candidate
- Agency
- Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
- Announcement Number
- NASA-12288466-24-AS Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Tuesday, March 5, 2024 to Tuesday, April 16, 2024
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1.
Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?
Preferences
1.
Would you accept a term appointment?
Other Skills/Activities
1.
Please describe any other skills you possess or activities you participate in that provide additional support to your application to become an astronaut candidate. Examples might include scuba diving, sports, music, languages, computer software/hardware tools, machinery, volunteer work, etc.
Previous Astronaut Candidacy
1.
Have you applied to a previous astronaut candidate position?
2.
If you have applied to a previous astronaut candidate position, were you interviewed?
Military Service
1.
Although veteran's documents are not being collected at this point, NASA intends to apply veterans' preference among candidates in later stages of this selection process. Do you qualify for veterans' preference? (For more information, see https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job-seekers/veterans-preference/)
2.
If you are a current active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces, please select your branch of military or uniformed service. If you are not current active duty nor in the Reserve or have no prior military or uniformed service, please indicate such below.
3.
If you are a current active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces, please select your current rank. If you are not an active duty service member or reserve member, select "Not applicable."
Education
1.
Provide the month and year (e.g. 05/2017) in which you:
- Completed your qualifying Master's degree or Ph.D., or related doctoral program AND/OR
- Completed at least two years of qualifying graduate coursework in a Ph.D. or related doctoral program AND/OR
- Completed an M.D., D.O., or related doctoral degree AND/OR
- Completed or will complete (by June 2025) nationally or internationally recognized Test Pilot School
2.
From which institution is your highest qualifying degree?
3.
What was/is your major field of study?
Assessment 1
The following questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position. Please review the vacancy announcement for a detailed description of those requirements. Initial eligibility will be verified based on your resume, transcripts, and responses to this questionnaire. Please review your responses for accuracy before you submit your application since NASA cannot modify responses made in error. All responses are final once your application has been submitted.
All applicants must meet at least ONE of the Basic Education requirements in Question #1 to be considered for this position. Qualifying international Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education is allowed so long as you submit proof of appropriate foreign education equivalency (see announcement for more details). Applicants may also fulfill this requirement by having completed a nationally or internationally recognized Test Pilot School (TPS) program or by current enrollment in such a program if completed by June 2025. TPS graduates/enrollees must also possess a bachelor's degree or higher in an appropriate STEM field.
Education must be verifiable. You must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts, which show a qualifying major field, degree conferred or qualifying degree progress; or test pilot school certification and enrollment. While a bachelor's degree (or less) is not qualifying alone, you must submit ALL STEM related transcripts with your application.
Note: The following degree fields, while related to engineering and the sciences, are NOT considered qualifying:
Education must be verifiable. You must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts, which show a qualifying major field, degree conferred or qualifying degree progress; or test pilot school certification and enrollment. While a bachelor's degree (or less) is not qualifying alone, you must submit ALL STEM related transcripts with your application.
Note: The following degree fields, while related to engineering and the sciences, are NOT considered qualifying:
- Degrees in Technology (Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc.)
- Degrees in Psychology (except for Clinical Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Experimental Psychology, which are qualifying)
- Degrees in Nursing
- Degrees in Exercise Physiology or similar fields
- Degrees in Social Sciences (Geography, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.)
- Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields
1.
Do you meet at least ONE of the education requirements below?
- I have completed a master's degree (or foreign equivalent) at an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. OR
- I have completed at least two years (36 semester hours or 54 quarter hours) in an accredited Ph.D. or related doctoral program (or foreign equivalent) with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. OR
- I have completed an M.D., D.O. or related medical degree (or foreign equivalent) in an accredited college or university. OR
- I have completed or am currently enrolled in a Test Pilot School (TPS) program (nationally or internationally recognized) and will have completed this program by June 2025. If TPS is my only advanced technical degree, I have also completed a bachelor's degree or higher (or foreign equivalent) at an accredited college or university with major study in an appropriate technical field of engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics.
2.
Which best describes your highest level of qualifying education?
In addition to the Basic Education requirement above, all applicants must meet the Sub-Discipline Specialized Experience requirements under one of the designated sub-disciplines: Pilots, Flight Test, Medical Doctors, Biological and Medical Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering and Operations. You should select the discipline you best qualify for based on the majority of your work experience.
For each discipline, applicants must have a minimum of 3 years (or 1,000 Pilot-in-Command hours with at least 850 of those hours in high performance jet aircraft for Pilots) of progressively responsible, professional experience after the completion of an appropriate technical field degree(s). Experience could have been gained after the completion of a qualifying bachelor's degree, though this does not negate the requirement to still possess a higher level degree. All applicants must meet the designated work experience requirements associated with each sub-discipline by the closing date of this announcement. Full-time work experience is 35 or more hours worked per week and must be stated clearly on your resume.
For each discipline, applicants must have a minimum of 3 years (or 1,000 Pilot-in-Command hours with at least 850 of those hours in high performance jet aircraft for Pilots) of progressively responsible, professional experience after the completion of an appropriate technical field degree(s). Experience could have been gained after the completion of a qualifying bachelor's degree, though this does not negate the requirement to still possess a higher level degree. All applicants must meet the designated work experience requirements associated with each sub-discipline by the closing date of this announcement. Full-time work experience is 35 or more hours worked per week and must be stated clearly on your resume.
3.
From the descriptions below, please select the sub-discipline and corresponding experience that qualifies you for this position. To qualify for the discipline you select, your resume must clearly reflect this experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K-12 levels, is acceptable if it was in a related technical field and you also meet the initial education requirement. While you may qualify for multiple disciplines, only one selection below is permitted.
If your experience is determined to best qualify you in a different discipline group than the one you select, the Rating Panel will place your application package in the most appropriate disciple group (i.e. you will not be automatically removed from consideration).
If your experience is determined to best qualify you in a different discipline group than the one you select, the Rating Panel will place your application package in the most appropriate disciple group (i.e. you will not be automatically removed from consideration).
4.
All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis prior to appointment to screen for illegal drug use. If selected for the position, incumbents are subject to random drug testing throughout their career. Are you willing to submit to drug testing prior to appointment and throughout your service in the Astronaut program?
5.
Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Distant and near visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20 in each eye. The use of glasses is acceptable. The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are allowed. Note that such surgeries are permitted, but not required for potential applicants. Are you willing to submit to further vision evaluations?
6.
Applicants and astronauts are evaluated for any medical or psychiatric conditions that would make the individual a hazard to flight safety, crew coordination, or mission execution. If selected for the position, an incumbent must successfully complete periodic medical and psychiatric examinations throughout their career with NASA. Are you willing to submit to medical and psychiatric evaluations prior to appointment and throughout your service in the astronaut program?
7.
The duties of this position require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking, standing, heavy lifting, crouching, crawling, and exposure to inclement weather. Are you willing to perform arduous physical activities as part of your duties?
8.
The duties of this position require participation in flight operations in jet aircraft including multiple flights to simulate microgravity, and adjustment to zero gravity environments. To develop crew coordination and spaceflight readiness training, astronaut candidates and astronauts participate in training that requires extended time (up to 14 hours per day) flying various types of aircraft. Are you willing to undergo flight training and participate in flight operations, spend extended time inflight training, and regularly piloting various kinds of fixed and/or rotary wing aircraft? (Prior flight experience is not required.)
9.
A background security investigation is required for this position. If the incumbent fails to meet the requirements for a successful background investigation, he or she may be subject to removal from the position. Are you willing to submit to a background security investigation?
10.
Astronaut Candidates will be required to pass a swimming test during the first month of training. Are you willing to submit to a swimming test?
11.
To simulate microgravity in space, astronaut candidates and astronauts participate in training that requires extended time underwater. This includes up to 2 hours a day SCUBA diving or up to 7 hours a day in the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU, or spacesuit). Are you willing to spend extended time training underwater?
12.
Training for missions is arduous and takes approximately two to three years. This training requires extensive travel, including long periods in other countries training with NASA's international partners where family members may not always be able to join. Are you willing to participate in extended travel and periods away from home?
13.
Long-duration missions can last 12 months or longer. Astronauts are subject to isolation, confinement, extreme conditions (including austere living conditions), and separation from loved ones. Are you willing to be deployed to space for long-duration missions?
14.
Astronaut candidates and astronauts live, work, and train in remote, isolated, small, or confined spaces for prolonged periods of time. Are you willing to spend extended periods of time in remote, isolated, small, or confined spaces?
15.
Astronaut candidates and astronauts sometimes work in dangerous and life-threatening situations. Are you willing to work in potentially dangerous situations?
16.
NASA astronauts appear before a variety of groups to inform the public about the U.S. space program and international cooperation. This includes schools and universities, community organizations, businesses and associations, military organizations, politicians, and officials of the U.S. and partner Governments. Are you willing to appear before these groups (as well as others), and present information on behalf of NASA and the U.S. space program (even if you may be presenting information in conflict with your personal opinions or views)?
17.
Graduation from the Astronaut Candidate Program will require successful completion of the following: spacecraft systems training, Extravehicular Activity (EVA) skills training, robotics skills training, Russian or other language training, aircraft flight readiness training (flying in high performance aircraft), technical training with commercial space partners, and team skills training, among others. Completion of all elements takes approximately 2 years. Are you willing to undergo and complete such training?
18.
There are multiple factors, some of which are outside of NASA's control, that are considered when identifying launch opportunities. NASA cannot guarantee if or when an astronaut is assigned to or will be able to execute a mission. Are you willing to join the astronaut corps not knowing how long you must wait to be assigned to a mission or if you will be assigned a mission at all?
19.
Do you understand and accept work hours are irregular and may require nights, weekends, holidays, shifting sleep cycles, and working longer than typical 8-9-hour periods to support operations when necessary?
20.
Do you understand and accept that personal and family leave may not be possible during certain periods of time depending on the needs of the government and initial and assigned training requirements?
21.
Schedules to complete initial and assigned mission training requirements are rigorous and don't typically allow for remote work. Do you understand and accept that remote work is not an option during these periods?
Select the appropriate answer to the statement below. Failure to provide an answer will result in your not being considered for this position.
22.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I certify that I worked independently and did not get any assistance from generative artificial intelligence applications (e.g., Bard, ChatGPT, Copilot) while completing any part of the application and hiring process. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this questionnaire and its supporting materials, or in any document or assessment associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be canceled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. Part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that if my responses to this questionnaire are not substantiated by supporting documentation or later steps in the hiring process that my application may be rated lower or removed from further consideration.