You can get into this career by applying directly.
Entry requirements:
Entry requirements:
Entry requirements:
You can apply for astronaut training with the European Astronaut Corps or with NASA .
You need to be between 27 and 37 years old and able to speak English fluently. It'll be helpful if you can also speak basic Russian because it's spoken with English on the International Space Station.
You'll have an advantage if you're a pilot with at least 1,000 hours of flying experience in a high performance aircraft like a fighter jet.
You'll also need a degree and a postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject like:
You must hold US citizenship or US dual-citizenship to become an astronaut with NASA.
Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Skills:Astronauts fly spacecraft and do experiments in space.
As an astronaut, much of your time will be spent training to carry out tasks before going into space. Once there, you could:
Location : You could work at a training centre.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, cramped and you may spend nights away from home.
You'll have several years' training before you're ready for a mission. It may take you years to be selected for a space flight. Once you're selected, you'll get mission specific training. Your flight in space could last between 6 months and a year.
With experience you could:
You can find out more about related career opportunities in space exploration from the European Space Agency .