{"id":140849,"date":"2020-03-02T20:26:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T00:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?migration=converted-node-458578"},"modified":"2023-07-26T15:31:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T19:31:08","slug":"an-astronauts-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/an-astronauts-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut\/","title":{"rendered":"An Astronaut\u2019s Guide to Applying to Be An Astronaut"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NASA astronaut Anne McClain\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg 5568w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA astronaut Anne McClain takes a break for a portrait inside the cupola while practicing Canadarm2 robotics maneuvers and Cygnus spacecraft capture techniques.<\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>As told by Anne McClain, NASA accepts applications for new classes of astronauts about every four years. Here’s her recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We in the astronaut office are thrilled and excited it is that time again! As someone who just went through this process a short seven years ago, I know how stressful it can be. It is hard to want something so badly for your whole life, to have a dream so magical that it has kept you up at night, then try to contain all that excitement while concisely describing your experiences and skills for complete strangers via an application form. So I wanted to share some thoughts for all those who find themselves in that position.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg 5568w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/33611131908_027d10af88_o.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA astronaut Anne McClain takes a \u201cspace-selfie\u201d with her helmet visor up 260 miles above the Earth\u2019s surface during a six-hour, 39-minute spacewalk to upgrade the orbital complex\u2019s power storage capacity. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is totally worth it! For my whole life, I have wanted this job. I first told my parents that I wanted to be an astronaut when I was three years old. The goal shaped many decisions and sacrifices I made growing up and in adulthood. Thirty-six years after I first told my parents my dream, I got my shot to fly in space. And it was more amazing than I could have ever imagined! I spent six-and-a-half months living on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/station\" rel=\"noopener\">International Space Station<\/a>, doing science and maintenance, spacewalks and robotics. I have been home for nine months now, and I will tell you this: I have never wanted to go to space more than I do right now. Everything we achieved during my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-astronaut-anne-mcclain-crewmates-return-from-space-station-mission\" rel=\"noopener\">first stay in space<\/a> was just a short introduction to how much more there is to explore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reality is we astronauts spend a lot more time on Earth than we do in space. Luckily, training for space and supporting those currently in space is the second best job I can imagine. No two days are alike in this job. We participate in flight simulations, test and evaluate new equipment to prepare for new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/specials\/artemis\/\" rel=\"noopener\">missions to the Moon<\/a>, sit in Mission Control and talk to the crew on orbit, fly jets, and practice spacewalks under water. Most of this is based out of the agency\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston, but some travel is required. We work all over the world with people of all different cultures and nationalities. And yes, some days we sit in meeting after meeting or draft up policy memos. It cannot all be glamorous.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1361\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Astronaut Candidates Anne C. McClain and Josh A. Cassada\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg 3696w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=768,510 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=1024,680 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=1536,1021 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=2048,1361 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=900,598 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=1200,797 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/9632739960_4e5eee6158_o.jpg?resize=2000,1329 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Anne C. McClain and Josh A. Cassada work with survival gear that will help sustain them for three days in the wilderness. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But every now and then (currently about once every five to seven years), we wake up, and it is launch day. It is hard to describe what it is like to walk to a rocket knowing you are about to blast off of planet, knowing that by the time you go to bed, you will be floating. There really is nothing like the first moments of weightlessness, watching your pencil float in front of you while looking back at the curvature of the Earth and knowing your dream has come true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What should applicants think seriously about before applying?<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"SpaceX Crew Dragon Egress Training\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/25097545452_44602080af_o_0.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">Astronaut Anne McClain rehearses egress procedures for the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in a mockup at the company\u2019s headquarters in Hawthorne, California. <strong>Credits: SpaceX<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>First, if you are qualified to apply to be an astronaut, you likely already are a successful professional. You may be at the top of your field, or you may have just gotten another dream job that you love. You are contributing, you are trusted, and you know what you are doing. You are probably a leader. Once you are selected though, you will join a diverse group of people and start work in a very unfamiliar environment \u2013 essentially, starting over. You will be asked to do things you have never done before, and you may even not be very good at some of them at first. As such, it is really important to be <em>adaptable<\/em>. We know you are good at what you do, but your success will be based on how well you can adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1983\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"NASA astronaut Anne McClain is helped out of the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=300,290 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=768,744 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=1024,992 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=1536,1487 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=400,387 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=600,581 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=900,871 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=1200,1162 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/48127686272_db7cc4ae89_k.jpg?resize=2000,1937 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">NASA astronaut Anne McClain is helped out of the Soyuz MS-11 spacecraft <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Some periods of time you can be away from home for up to 50% of the time, and other times you may only be gone one or two nights every couple months. Make sure your family and friends are on board with your dream. You will need a strong ground support network because you will lean on them a lot for support! But don\u2019t worry \u2013 we will be here for you also. In the astronaut office, we don\u2019t just do our jobs together \u2013 we (and our families) do life together. As such, it is important that we can trust others and that we are <em>trustworthy<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\"><div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-inline\"><div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\"><figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-none \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1638\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"2013 class of NASA astronauts\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg 4000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=300,240 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=768,614 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=1024,819 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=1536,1229 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=2048,1638 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=400,320 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=600,480 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=900,720 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=1200,960 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/12774574754_1a79b4bc6e_o.jpg?resize=2000,1600 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\"><div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">The eight-member 2013 class of NASA astronauts take a break from training to pose for their group portrait at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center. Pictured from the left (front row) are Anne C. McClain, Tyler N. (Nick) Hague and Nicole Aunapu Mann. Pictured from the left (back row) are Jessica U. Meir, Josh A. Cassada, Victor J. Glover, Andrew R. (Drew) Morgan and Christina M. Hammock. <strong>Credits: NASA<\/strong><\/div><\/figcaption><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>It is really hard to get selected as an astronaut. The 2013 class had more than 6,000 applicants and eight were selected. In 2017, more than 18,300 people applied, and 11 <a rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/press-release\/nasa-s-newest-astronauts-ready-for-space-station-moon-and-mars-missions\">new astronauts<\/a> just graduated from that class. The odds are in no one\u2019s favor! When I came to interview, a senior astronaut told me, \u201cJust because you would be perfect here does not mean you will be selected.\u201d It made me realize a lot of really qualified people don\u2019t get selected. But 100% of people who do not apply will not be selected. You need to apply. And if you are not selected, apply again (and again, and again). It took most of us a few times \u2013 you need to be <em>tenacious<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What you have done is as important as how you communicate it. Make sure your resume looks good. In this job, we trust each other with our lives \u2013 we need to know that you are <em>detail oriented<\/em>. Your resume is our first impression of this. Take the time to make it error-free, concise, and clear. Remember people with different backgrounds than you will review your resume, so don\u2019t use acronyms or a lot of really technical terms. Just tell us what you have done, and some things you learned along the way. Include everything \u2013 we look at both breadth and depth of experiences. And yes, we want to hear about your hobbies too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One word of caution though: I have met some applicants who did everything they could just to build up their resume, and I do not recommend this! Don\u2019t do things so you can put them on a resume, do things because you have a passion for them. Fly because you love to fly, or scuba dive because you love to scuba dive, or go winter over in Antarctica because you love to be in remote places working on teams. If you do all these things just to be selected then are not selected, it can be very disappointing. But if you do what you love, you will not only perform better, but you will be happier too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The funny thing that my whole class had in common is we were genuinely surprised when we were selected. We were very happy to be selected, but we were also very happy doing what we were already doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To sum it up: do what you love doing because you love doing it. Be adaptable, trustworthy, tenacious, and detail oriented. Understand this job requires sacrifice by both you and your family. And most of all, go for it. Submit your application. It is SO worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Written by Astronaut Anne McClain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As told by Anne McClain, NASA accepts applications for new classes of astronauts about every four years. Here’s her recommendations. We in the astronaut office are thrilled and excited it is that time again! As someone who just went through this process a short seven years ago, I know how stressful it can be. It [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286,"featured_media":152118,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2800,10936],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3879,10438],"coauthors":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"An Astronaut\u2019s Guide to Applying to Be An Astronaut","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/an-astronauts-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/an-astronauts-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg"},"articleSection":"Humans in Space","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Brandi Dean"}],"creator":["Brandi Dean"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["Humans in Space","Astronauts","Candidate Astronauts"],"dateCreated":"2020-03-03T00:26:00Z","datePublished":"2020-03-03T00:26:00Z","dateModified":"2023-07-26T19:31:08Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"An Astronaut\u2019s Guide to Applying to Be An Astronaut\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/humans-in-space\/astronauts\/an-astronauts-guide-to-applying-to-be-an-astronaut\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"post\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2020-03-03T00:26:00Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Humans in Space\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"Humans in Space,Astronauts,Candidate Astronauts\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Brandi Dean\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":7,"time_ago":"4 years","featured_image":{"id":152118,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/40670092453_bd62320391_o.jpg","title":"40670092453_bd62320391_o","alt":"NASA astronaut Anne McClain","caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140849"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/286"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140849"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140849\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":337239,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140849\/revisions\/337239"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/152118"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140849"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=140849"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=140849"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=140849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}