• Question: Did you ever apply to be an Astronaut?

    Asked by anon-257603 to Scott on 6 Jul 2020.
    • Photo: Scott Lawrie

      Scott Lawrie answered on 6 Jul 2020: last edited 6 Jul 2020 12:01 pm

      Unfortunately, I didn’t. At the time when I was choosing what to study and do as a career, I didn’t think I was fit enough to be an astronaut: I am now, but it’s too late for me! Also, at the time, the only real way to become one was to move to America, as far as I knew. There are many more opportunities to get into space nowadays, so if you’re interested you should definitely go for it – good luck! Indeed if SpaceX keep going at the rate they are, it won’t be long before spaceflight becomes routine for everyone, not just the best-of-the-best.

Comments

  • Photo: Mike

    Mike commented on :

    Unfortunately not. But if I ever get an opportunity, I definitely will, no matter how low my chances may be! 🙂

    I kind of gave up on it when I learned that you need 20/20 vision, although it seems that is no longer true nowadays (20/20 with corrective glasses is fine).

    Of course, even if you don’t become an astronaut, there are plenty of interesting ground-based space jobs such as flight controller, rocket scientist, robot engineering, astrophysicist, etc!

  • Photo: John

    John commented on :

    Yes. I was mostly in the wrong age range though. I was just 20 when ESA selected its first astronauts (too young). By the time they selected more I was about 45 (too old). In about 1991 did get an interview/medical for the Project Juno mission which was eventually assigned to Helen Sharman. By the time ESA started selecting British astronauts (Tim Peake) I was about 60 (way too old!). The chances are much better today, so if its what you want- go for it!