NASA Hiring Astronauts
But is it the best way to get to space?
by Carol Pinchefsky
by Carol Pinchefsky
NASA
is hiring astronauts to refresh its astronaut corps.
According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, "The pilots, scientists, engineers and educators that NASA recruits will train primarily for three- to six-month missions aboard the international space station. However, some could be among those who stroll on the surface of the moon as part of NASA's plan to return human explorers to the lunar surface by 2020 aboard the shuttle fleet's successor spacecraft."
Becoming an astronaut has the advantage of traveling to space on NASA's dime, and earning between $60,000 to $130,000 to boot. Compared to people who pay an estimated $20 million to fly, working one's way into space is a bargain.
The disadvantage is that only fifteen candidates will be selected, thus limiting government-approved space travel to an elite few.
Space tourism is still the best way for people to get to space...or will be, when the price tag comes down.
NASA
is hiring astronauts to refresh its astronaut corps. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, "The pilots, scientists, engineers and educators that NASA
recruits will train primarily for three- to six-month missions aboard the international space station. However, some could be among those who stroll on the surface of the moon as part of NASA's plan to return human explorers to the lunar surface by 2020 aboard the shuttle fleet's successor spacecraft." Becoming an astronaut has the advantage of traveling to space on NASA
's dime, and earning between $60,000 to $130,000 to boot. Compared to people who pay an estimated $20 million to fly, working one's way into space is a bargain. The disadvantage is that only fifteen candidates will be selected, thus limiting government-approved space travel to an elite few.
Space tourism is still the best way for people to get to space...or will be, when the price tag comes down.
