How to Become an Astronaut - Mars One Vs NASA

Ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, and chances are ‘an astronaut’ will feature fairly high on their list of dream occupations. These children will then grow up, realise there’s an awful lot of work, and set their sights on a career closer to Earth – but for a select few around the world, this childhood dream becomes a reality through years of hard work and grueling training. At the time of writing, there are only 6 people in space, and historically there have only ever been 530 people in space – so how exactly does one join the ranks and become an astronaut?

If the Mars One mission ever becomes a reality, four lucky people out of a shortlist of 100 could bid farewell to earth and start the long journey to colonising Mars. And all they had to do was fill in an online application! Over the coming years they will go through further selection processes, and begin training to ensure they are physically and mentally well enough for the one-way trip to Mars.

If you’d like to read more about the Mars One mission, read: Meet the Mars One Mission’s Top 10 Candidates or What is the Mars One Mission?  

Traditionally, becoming an astronaut takes years of training...

To even be considered by NASA, applications must meet three basic requirements.

1. Must possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics.
2. Must have at least 1000 hours pilot-in-command time in a jet aircraft.
3. Must pass the physical: 20/20 vision, 140/90 blood pressure in a sitting position, and between 62 and 75 inches tall.

After being accepted into NASA, individuals will then go through a two-year training process that most people would run a few hundred miles to avoid.

In additional to learning how to use all of the equipment, astronauts also have to ensure they are physically fit and able to withstand a zero gravity environment. Losing muscle mass is almost guaranteed, which is why astronauts in space must exercise for two hours a day. Other complaints include motion sickness, since the inner ear can’t function as normal, and acid reflux since your stomach acid will no longer know which way is down.

The final candidates for the Mars One mission will go through a similar training regiment, starting with technical and medical training to ensure the team is ready for anything. A program of personal training will ensure the individuals are mentally prepared for the isolation, cramped living conditions, and for the possibility that they will never return to Earth. Finally, they will go through group training that will simulate potential scenarios they might face. Some of the more difficult aspects of the training include getting used to a weightless environment. This is achieved by trips on a reduced gravity aircraft – affectionately nicknamed the ‘vomit comet’, and facilities like NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, which is an underwater training facility.

So whether you take the Mars One route, or the NASA route to becoming an astronaut, one thing is certain: the training will be hard, the hours will be long, and you’ll probably end up losing your lunch on more than one occasion. Which might not be so bad when you see the menu of freeze-dried, canned and pureed goodies on offer in space.