Enter NASA astronaut harder than passing Harvard hundreds of times

Approximately 8 to 14 people were selected from more than 18,300 candidates enrolled in NASA's 2017 astronaut class. Matriculation rate is 0.04% to 0.08%, harder than Harvard at hundreds of times.

In the intake for 2017, more than 18,300 candidates competed for 8 to 14 scholarships at NASA's astronaut class (US Aeronautics and Space Agency), according to Business Insider.

If NASA receives 14 people, the matriculation rate will be 0.08%. Meanwhile, in 2014, Harvard, one of the most competitive schools in the world, received 5.9% of the applicants.

This year, NASA selected only 8 to 14 of the more than 18,300 applicants.(Photo: NASA).

Candidates are the best.

On December 14, 2015, NASA announced the enrollment of astronauts on USAJOBS.

"NASA is taking an ambitious journey to Mars and we need to find talented people from all walks of life, all over the country. NASA has launched the enrollment season for astronaut training. In 2017, the birth of extraordinary Americans will make huge strides in the exploration of the universe, which will serve the journey to conquer Mars, " said former astronaut Charles Bolden, NASA director. , said in a press release.

To become one of NASA's 14 students, candidates must meet the following requirements: Be a US citizen; Have a bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution in the fields of engineering, Biological Sciences, Physical Science, Mathematics, Computer Science (candidates can supplement with the admission); Have at least 3 years of professional experience, do related work or 1,000 hours of jet control.

NASA prioritizes candidates with advanced qualifications.

Stephanie Schierholz, NASA spokesman, explained, they want to recruit the best, the smartest, and consider the diversity of expertise.

"What we seek is not just a qualification. We want our crew members to come from a wide range of disciplines, understanding many areas," said Stephanie Schierholz.

The application process ends on February 18, 2016. The number of candidates has tripled compared to the 2012 enrollment.

Schierholz said, NASA anticipated a strong increase in the number of applicants, because the plan to set foot on Mars in the coming 30s attracted strong attention of the people. Along with that, the agency also enhances information on social media. However, they were still surprised by the number of more than 18,300 records.

The process of selecting astronauts is very demanding.(Photo: NASA).

The prequalification process missed most candidates

From the end of February to September 2016, NASA will send staff to evaluate each candidate.

Schierholz said that employees of all different departments, including staff room personnel and astronautics, will set up each team to conduct the preliminary round. They select and eliminate candidates by evaluating education, research, decision-making skills, leadership skills and a number of other factors.

She added that this round of judges also evaluated the degree of diversity in the candidate's experience, such as a pilot's license or a diving license.

Previously, the preliminary round took place quite gently. However, due to the record number of candidates, NASA will hire about 40, 50 "initial evaluators" to support this year's enrollment. In addition, NASA may have to adjust prequalification time.

Careful selection

After reviewing all candidates, NASA's Astronaut Admissions Council will invite 120 top rated candidates to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for interviews, medical assessments and orientation for each. people before making the final decision.

During the initial interview and assessment, the number of candidates will decrease sharply. Retainers will continue to undergo a series of physical assessments, additional interviews and group building exercises. In 2011, only 49 people came to this step.

Admission rate is hundreds of times lower than Harvard

NASA will choose between 8 and 14 people for the 2017 astronaut class. If they choose 8 people, the matriculation rate is 0.04%. The application process here will be 148 times harder than going to Harvard. If they receive 14 people, this rate is 0.08%, 74 times harder.

Astronauts at NASA have to go through a difficult journey.(Photo: NASA).

Therefore, the journey became a student of NASA astronaut class extremely difficult. However, this is not impossible. Astronaut Clayton Anderson joined NASA in 1998. Previously, he had applied 14 times.

A tough road after matriculation

Around May 2017, the Astronaut Admissions Council, consisting of 15 members, will select 8 to 14 people and make an official decision in June.

In August, candidates will go to Johnson Space Center again to start two years of initial training in the spacecraft system, space walking skills and teamwork. They also have to learn Russian and other necessary skills.

At the end of the training, they were assigned to one of four NASA spacecraft, including the International Space Station, the Orion space probe or one of Boeing's two commercial spacecraft being researched and completed. (Starliner CST-100 and SpaceX Crew Dragon).

"Commercial spacecraft will bring four travelers to the space station, increasing the number of crew members in orbit laboratory from 6 to 7 people and doubling the time to conduct research, Important technology to get more information and knowledge for the journey to set foot on Mars, as well as bring benefits to Earth , " NASA said in a press release.

Advice from astronauts first

"We come here through so many different paths. I just want to advise young people to find out what they really love, like to do or something so that if they can't become astronauts, they also feel pleased to remember.

So, please try to achieve the best results in your chosen field. But in the process, don't think too much about the results, but think about the efforts to achieve it.

I hope you will be a good member of the group, a good leader, a person when you are chosen, the people around you feel proud. Never step on others to succeed, 'said Anne C. McClain, astronaut who joined NASA in 2013.

Tyler Hague, the contestant of the 2013 astronaut's enrollment after several submissions, also gave useful advice: "Do not refuse to give an answer. Always work hard. This is always a dream. my life ".