2 answers
Malaki
Student
Knob Noster, Missouri
1
Question
Asked
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What would be the best major for me if I am interested in becoming a part of NASA (especially if I would like to become an astronaut)?
I am a college freshman trying to decide on a major. I have been interested in space travel for a long time.
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2 answers
Frederick Burke
Mechanical Design Engineer
2
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Frederick’s Answer
Hey Malaki,
I hear that you're interested in becoming an astronaut and working for NASA.
What if you had to choose between them? Which would you choose?
The reason I ask is that SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are all putting people in space at a higher frequency than NASA is.
Imagine that an astronaut is a pilot that knows very little about the vehicle he is flying in.
If "pilot" is your goal, you might focus on your physical fitness and grades and work on getting into the Air Force Academy.
If "working in space" is your goal, there is a very good chance that every type of engineer will be required to build a moon base and a Mars base in the next 30 years or so. Mechanical Engineers and Aerospace Engineers design the spacecraft. Civil Engineers design the buildings. Electrical Engineers design the computers and wire everything together. Computer Science and Software Engineers write all the code that makes it happen.
If you want an advantage over the other applicants, start working on projects now. What if you made a balloon to try to put an antenna (or a gerbil as long as you have a good reason for it) into Low Earth Orbit and return? What if you looked for colleges that were working on projects that have funding to put their project on the moon? Stop thinking that life begins after high school and start having fun with it now! You've got this!
I hear that you're interested in becoming an astronaut and working for NASA.
What if you had to choose between them? Which would you choose?
The reason I ask is that SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are all putting people in space at a higher frequency than NASA is.
Imagine that an astronaut is a pilot that knows very little about the vehicle he is flying in.
If "pilot" is your goal, you might focus on your physical fitness and grades and work on getting into the Air Force Academy.
If "working in space" is your goal, there is a very good chance that every type of engineer will be required to build a moon base and a Mars base in the next 30 years or so. Mechanical Engineers and Aerospace Engineers design the spacecraft. Civil Engineers design the buildings. Electrical Engineers design the computers and wire everything together. Computer Science and Software Engineers write all the code that makes it happen.
If you want an advantage over the other applicants, start working on projects now. What if you made a balloon to try to put an antenna (or a gerbil as long as you have a good reason for it) into Low Earth Orbit and return? What if you looked for colleges that were working on projects that have funding to put their project on the moon? Stop thinking that life begins after high school and start having fun with it now! You've got this!
Frederick recommends the following next steps:
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
640
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Malaki,
Working for NASA or becoming an astronaut and going to space is fascinating! What a cool goal!
There is no specific major to work for NASA or to become an astronaut. NASA operates many labs around the country where people do scientific research. They need all kinds of scientists in the STEM field: physicists, geologists, chemists, biologists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians etc. You need to decide which field is for you.
For those not in the sciences, you can still work for NASA since they have of course administrators, HR people, managers, PR and press people, graphic designers and what not.
There is also no specific major required to become an astronaut. The pilots are usually military or test pilots because you need many hours experience flying jet engines. The pay load specialists are again scientists of many different flavors in the STEM field. A pilot license would be beneficial though.
The selection to become an astronaut is extremely competitive, so you can't focus just on that. You need a stable career in a field you enjoy. You also need to be fit and healthy, so keep hitting the gym. And you need to be a team player, get along with people in a small space for a long time (think about those astronauts who got stuck on the space station).
I hope this helps! All the best to you! Maybe I'll see you one day in the space suit.
KP
https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/astronaut-selection-program/
https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/
https://www.nasa.gov/careers/
https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/
https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/astronaut-requirements/
Working for NASA or becoming an astronaut and going to space is fascinating! What a cool goal!
There is no specific major to work for NASA or to become an astronaut. NASA operates many labs around the country where people do scientific research. They need all kinds of scientists in the STEM field: physicists, geologists, chemists, biologists, engineers, computer scientists, mathematicians etc. You need to decide which field is for you.
For those not in the sciences, you can still work for NASA since they have of course administrators, HR people, managers, PR and press people, graphic designers and what not.
There is also no specific major required to become an astronaut. The pilots are usually military or test pilots because you need many hours experience flying jet engines. The pay load specialists are again scientists of many different flavors in the STEM field. A pilot license would be beneficial though.
The selection to become an astronaut is extremely competitive, so you can't focus just on that. You need a stable career in a field you enjoy. You also need to be fit and healthy, so keep hitting the gym. And you need to be a team player, get along with people in a small space for a long time (think about those astronauts who got stuck on the space station).
I hope this helps! All the best to you! Maybe I'll see you one day in the space suit.
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps: