What candidates need to land a job in space

Those inspired by Tim Peake may be in luck. The aerospace sector across Europe and NASA is currently hiring people for the space and satellite industry, but the jobs are not for everyone.

NASA is currently recruiting a new batch of astronaut candidates. NASA has posted an advert on its jobsite. It says: “NASA is accepting applications for a new class of astronauts. Today, more [new] human spacecrafts are in development in the United States (U.S.) than at any time in history, and future astronaut candidates will have the opportunity to explore farther in space than humans have ever been.”

However, aspiring space travellers have to meet specific requirements. For starters, they have to have a Bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics. Candidates should also have at least three years-worth of experience of “related, progressively responsible, professional experience obtained after degree completion or at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in a jet aircraft.”

The physical requirements include perfect eye-sight. Candidates are also required to be physically fit and to have the right size to fit into the space suit and the space vehicles. The application period closes on 18 February 2016.