HOW TO BECOME ASTRONAUT?
Qualifications & Requirements
- He/She must be a citizen of India.
- An Indian Air Force pilot is preferred for the scheduled space mission because of the need for professional experience in aircraft.
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university/college. The degree could be either in computer science, engineering, physics, mathematics, chemistry, or biology.
- Applicants must have an aggregate of 65% or CGPA / CPI grading of a minimum of 6.84 on a 10 scale. A Master’s or doctorate degree in aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, Science is essential for higher positions and will add up to your achievements.
Requirements
- Applicants must be American Citizens.
- Students must have a bachelor’s degree in Computer/Physical science, engineering, biology, or maths.
- Applicants must have an aggregate of 65%.
- A minimum of 3 years of professional experience is required or 1,000 hours of piloting.
- Candidates undergo a training program for physical assessment that includes tests like swimming, scuba diving, military water survival, and atmospheric pressure tests where many conditions are assessed.
Universities Abroad
- University/Academy/Institute
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Washington
- Auburn University
- University of Texas
Universities in India
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
- Indian Institute of Technology
- Amity University
- Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
- IITs
Salary
Among the many perks of being an astronaut, a good amount of salary is one of them. In India, Astronauts are paid based on the Fifth Pay Commission. For physicists, scientists, or engineers at ISRO the pay is around INR 42 lakh to INR 92 lakh p.a. However, people in the directorial or a higher position are paid around INR 2 lakh-3 lakh per month. The pay is determined based on the person’s skills, achievements, and experience. Apart from a profitable salary, astronauts are also given various other benefits like medical benefits, travel allowances, insurance, housing facilities, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an astronaut?
Astronauts must undergo two years of required basic training in addition to six years of study and two years of professional experience. All of this adds up to around a decade of planning. Following that, astronauts may have to wait months or years before embarking on their first space journey.
What qualifies you to be an astronaut?
To become an astronaut, you must have a master’s degree in biological science, physical science, computer science, engineering, or math.
How much do astronauts get paid?
The average starting wage for GS-11 astronauts is $66,026 per year. Astronauts in the GS-14 classification can earn up to $144,566 per year.
Who is the youngest astronaut?
Astronaut in the making Alyssa Carson is attempting to become the youngest person in space and one of the first individuals to set foot on Mars. Alyssa graduated from the Advanced Space Academy at the age of 16, making her the youngest person ever to do so.