• Question: I have the same ambition in becoming an astronaut-not very likely to happen- how many GCSE’s in what subjects do you need to be one?

    Asked by anon-253777 to Sheila on 14 May 2020.
    • Photo: Sheila Kanani

      Sheila Kanani answered on 14 May 2020:

      Your generation have more chance of being an astronaut than mine ever did! Keep believing 🙂

      I did three sciences, maths, DT, 2 languages, music, 2 English and IT (if I remember correctly).

      I did physics and maths and chemistry and Spanish at A level, then did a MPhys in Physics with Astrophysics at uni.

      Do what you enjoy though – yes you need sciences etc to be an astronaut but you also need to enjoy your life and be passionate about what you’re doing – and you can only put time and energy into something that you enjoy!

      Try and follow some good hobbies too – sport, creative hobbies, scuba diving, flying a plane….! And have a look at astronauts to see what their paths were. Try websites like this: http://www.spacecareers.uk

      Good luck!

Comments

  • Photo: Susan

    Susan commented on :

    GCSEs are not the issue: astronauts are highly trained in some relevant field. The original American astronauts, and I think the Russians too, were all trained as test pilots: that showed that they could perform well in dangerous conditions (and were not afraid of life-threatening situations), and also piloting skills were quite useful (conisder landing the Space Shuttle). Nowadays many astronauts are “mission specialists”, which usually means that they are trained scientists – trained in what sort of science depends on the missionL it could be chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, etc. – but they still have to be physically fit and trained in many things that you might not think of: for example, they have to be able to swim (in case they have to do an emergency landing on water), and at the moment they have to be prepared to learn Russian, though that might change if SpaceX takes over the launch market.

    If you can watch BBC iPlayer, you might want to watch “Astronauts” (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05bf1jt), which took a group of contestants through a close approximation of ESA astronaut training. You’re too late for Episode 1, but Episodes 2-5 are still available!

  • Photo: John

    John commented on :

    I agree with the people above. There is no magic list of qualifications. I did most of the right things, science subjects, flying lessons, and I worked in plane factories and satellite control stations but I was never in the right place at the right time. Some things you just cannot control and you have to get a bit lucky. There are literally thousands of qualified people for every astronaut job. The trick is to study stuff you like, keep mentally and technically agile (and fit) so if that door ever opens just a crack you are ready to push it open and walk in. If you do the right things you can still have an interesting an varied career (I finished up as an astronomer) so if that door never opens you haven’t wasted your life waiting. Remember that if you jump for the stars you will surely at least get over most of the fences.