Many of these mountain-top telescopes are now operated remotely using computer screens rather than eye pieces to scan the skies. But if you have your heart set on becoming an astronaut then you'll be pleased to know that it's never been easier. Both NASA and the European Space Agency are actively looking for astronauts to fly and crew their shuttles and man future space stations. In the last five years well over a hundred people have been into space. You'll need an outstanding background in science and an aptitude for maths is helpful.
Astronauts have to be fit, fast thinking and able to work well in a team.
A degree is a must and most astronauts have undertaken a number of years of further study to become experts in their science subjects. The recent Channel 4 documentary on astronauts featured one man with a double doctorate in engineering and medicine. All this may seem impossible to achieve, but remember over a hundred men and women have worked hard and ended up orbiting the Earth. And if you're made of the right stuff then you could join them too. The Top A good all-round degree which will open doors into many avenues of the space industry is physics.