IN SHORT:
- The professional bar is very high.
- Candidate criteria are set by the specific agency.
- In general, excellent abilities and skills should be demonstrated in four categories: education, psychological fitness, physical form, training.
- Space tourism flows are forecast to increase after the launch of the first private spacecraft.
- In such cases, the criteria are unlikely to be as strict.
- However, traveling in space will be an expensive pleasure.
Analytical portal “The Conversation” publication Adam Hockey, Assistant Professor, Department of Sport, Health and Social Sciences, Solent University, UK talks about the criteria for choosing those who want to go on space travel
“Useful material”
During a US-Soviet space race in the 1960s, experts from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected a group of elite air force pilots and test pilots for orbiting the Earth and, in the future, for lunar flights. For space pioneers, the risk of giants and maximum physical exertion was commonplace.
Later, the American journalist and writer Tom Wolf will describe the set of physical and psychological qualities that a space traveler needs in a more comprehensive phrase. “The right stuff” (“Valid, real material – in English”).
Today, scientists, doctors, engineers and even journalists have been able to join the most exclusive club on Earth and beyond.
But of the 100 billion people who have ever lived or are living on Earth, only about 600 have been in space.
The bar for this unique profession is very high.
Smart, strong, calm
Currently, NASA requires those who want to fly in space to meet certain criteria. First, the next astronaut must be a U.S. citizen. British-born Michael Foul and Pier Selars had to change their nationality to meet this requirement.
Candidates must also have a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or a doctorate in medicine. In addition, you must have at least two years of relevant professional experience. As an alternative, 1000 flight hours will be suitable as a jet commander, which is especially important for a spacecraft pilot and commander. Finally, candidates must pass a thorough physical fitness test to determine their readiness for space mission.
Similar criteria have been set by other countries as well as the European Space Agency.
Russian state space corporation “Roskosmos” requirements not much different: applicants for admission to the astronauts unit must have Russian citizenship (dual citizenship and permanent residence permit are not valid), must not be older than 35 years, have higher education in engineering, science or aviation, must have at least three years of work experience, must speak English.
The four whales of astronautics
In general, candidates must demonstrate outstanding abilities, attributes and skills, which can be divided into four categories and which may change or be supplemented in the future.
Education. Air force pilots or test pilots are most likely to claim to be a spacecraft pilot and commander. However, current space crews perform a wider range of scientific or technical tasks than their predecessors. At the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts conduct experiments and ensure the station’s efficient and safe operation. Therefore, they need in-depth knowledge that provides an understanding of scientific processes and engineering principles.
Psychological readiness. Emotional stability is a very important requirement for any astronaut.
However, psychological criteria do not only mean the ability to control emotions.
It also requires the ability to think logically and judge reasonably, a high level of concentration, excellent memory, the ability to orientate in space and dexterity of hands.
When planning longer flights to SKS and, in the long run, to Mars, qualities such as teamwork, flexibility in problem solving and empathy for members of the mission will be even more important than they are now.
There are no strict requirements for temperament, however, Russian medics considersthat neither “pure” melancholy nor pronounced cholerics are suitable for long-term space missions, because space “does not like” extremes.
Physical form. During space flight, the human body is subjected to maximum loads. That is why it is extremely important for astronauts not only to be able to survive, but also to work effectively in such difficult conditions.
Candidates must pass a medical examination. According to NASA requirements, ideal vision is required – sharpness 20/20, but correction is allowed, sitting blood pressure should be 140/90 or less. The average age of American astronauts is 34, although there is no official age limit, they must be in good physical shape. John Glenn with the cosmic shuttle boats flew at the age of 77.
The norm for Russian astronauts is, for example, to run one kilometer in three minutes and 35 seconds, pull on the bar at least 14 times, turn 360 degrees by jumping on a trampoline.
Russian astronauts still have anthropometric limitations (height, weight, foot length, chest circumference), but experts believe that in the future, when new spacecraft models are developed, it will be possible to deviate from these strict criteria.
Trainings. Astronauts have different types of training to prepare for the various aspects of the space mission. Maneuvers in high-speed jets, specially designed centrifuges for overloading, must prepare astronauts for the physical tests that are inevitable during take-off and landing.
They also have workouts that prepare them for life without weight – they learn to drink, eat, go to the toilet in unusual conditions. This experience is gained by astronauts in special flights with airplanes, when the zero gravity state is simulated.
Longer trainings take place in NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. Astronauts dressed in spacesuits can train in full-size models of SKS modules. This allows crews to try out individual stages of upcoming missions.
Space tourism
There are other ways to get a space flight ticket in the new millennium. Since the beginning of this century, SKS has started to receive guests who travel to and from the station for money. It is expected that after the launch of the first private spacecraft, the flow of space tourists will increase, the author predicts.
As guest visits will not be linked to missions, they are unlikely to meet such strict criteria.
Therefore, access to space will be open to more people.
However, it will be an expensive pleasure. According to NASA estimates, excluding the costs of launching the spacecraft, space tourists will have to pay about 35 thousand US dollars per day in travel space.
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