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NASA Is Looking for Next Class of Astronaut Candidates for Deep Space Missions

Most of those who have heard of NASA have also spent at least one lousy afternoon online sending job applications. With an ongoing growth of unemployment among younger generations worldwide, people know what applying for a job truly means. That is why, when you read NASA’s statement, you feel the difference.
NASA Is Looking for Next Class of Astronaut Candidates for Deep Space Missions 1 photo
Photo: NASA
Just read this: “The agency will accept applications from December 14 through mid-February and expects to announce candidates selected in mid-2017.”

It sounds like any other employment announcement, but the tremendous difference is that you may be working on Mars one day. Yes, the red planet is one of the places NASA is training the next class of astronaut candidates for, with further deep-space missions to follow.

How exciting can a job get? It probably can’t be better than this. The agency’s decision comes in anticipation of returning human spaceflight launches to American soil, and in preparation for the agency’s journey to Mars. NASA announced that, with more human spacecraft in development in the United States today than at any other time in history, future astronauts will launch once again from the Space Coast of Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft. They will carry out deep-space exploration missions that will advance a future human mission to Mars.

This Jules Verne-flavored statement is as real as the bright blue sky - which does turn quite black once you’re in space, by the way. The state-financed Agency even details what candidates should expect from the “job.” The next class of astronauts may fly on any of four different U.S. vessels during their careers: the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development by U.S. companies, and NASA’s Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.

Worry not, though, it’s not just quantum physics geniuses they’re after. From pilots and engineers to scientists and medical doctors, NASA selects qualified astronaut candidates from a diverse pool of U.S. citizens with a wide variety of backgrounds.

“This next group of American space explorers will inspire the Mars generation to reach for new heights, and help us realize the goal of putting boot prints on the Red Planet,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “Those selected for this service will fly on U.S. made spacecraft from American soil, advance critical science and research aboard the International Space Station, and help push the boundaries of technology in the proving ground of deep space.”

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