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Contents
Author’s Note
Introduction
The Journey That Led Me to Becoming the Youngest Astronaut in Training
The First Space Camp
The Beginning of My Accomplishments
And it continued
My Struggles
How My Dad Accepted My Daring Choice of A Career
Why I Want to Be the First Astronaut to go to Mars?
The First Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Use the Interweb
• NASA, ESA, and Russian Federal Space Agency’s Projects for the
Youngsters
• Read Cosmological Articles
• YouTube Channels
• Look at the Sky and Know your Stars
• Movies and Documentaries
• Space Websites
• Listen to the Astronauts Talk
The Second Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Take a Look Around you
• Space Museums
• Space Camps
• People
• Your School
• Get in Shape
The Third Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Listen to People Who Are
Already Living Your Dream
• Books
• Set up a Meeting with an Astronaut
The Fourth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Talk about Your Dreams Often,
you never know Who’s listening
The Fifth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Train Yourself
• Team Player
• Resourcefulness
• Reasoning
• Communication
• Public Speaking
• Judgment
• Adaptability
• Mental Endurance
The Sixth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Help Yourself Stand Out
• Diverse Educational Background
• Personality
• Emotional Intelligence
• Get as Much Training as You Can
The Seventh Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Forget About Becoming an
Astronaut and Find a Passion That Will Last
The Eighth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Never Give Up
Author’s Note
The one question that I get asked a lot is how to become an astronaut, and it
made me realize that it is a popular aspiration among the youth.
All that eagerness and passion to know the answer to this question has led
me to write this book.
When so many people came up to me, and told me that they want to
become an astronaut, it made me wonder if people really understand the
brunt of that decision. Do they truly understand what it means to be an
astronaut?
Being an astronaut is not just about flying in space in a spacesuit. It is lot
more than that. An astronaut is a certain kind of person who is brave
beyond comprehension. They are courageous and strong and they know
how to keep their wits about them, in the face of danger.
Whenever astronauts set out for an expedition, they know they are risking
their lives. They are never 100% safe, and when they return back to Earth,
they’d be willing to do it again. Then, there’s trust. When they are out in
space, with only a handful of other humans, they learn to trust them with
their lives. The astronauts are also risk takers. When they have limited
options, and slim chances, they take risks, despite knowing that it can
backfire badly and even cost them their lives.
It is an extraordinary profession to be an astronaut, and it requires
extraordinary courage to become one.
This is the reason why, wanting to become an astronaut is not as common as
most other vocations are. When someone wishes to take up this career, it’s
hard for them to know where to start. Additionally, being an astronaut is
what comes second. Before that, you must establish a STEM career, and
prove your skills in many others. Hence, most of the aspiring astronauts
want to know the exact steps they’ll need to take to become one.
To be upfront, there are endless things one has to do if they want to stay
committed to their goal. There’s no end to it and that’s the fun part. You
never stop learning when you are trying to be an astronaut .
But let’s not go there right now. Before we move on to all the initial steps
you need to take, in order to reach your goal, there’s something else you’ll
have to do first.
I want you to sit down and have a very meaningful conversation with
yourself. And in this conversation, you’ll need to ask yourself how serious
you are. Are you really determined to go to space and face all the dangers
that come with it? Or are you just fascinated with space and astronautics, or
do you want it as a means of becoming famous?
Perhaps you just want to follow the crowd?
Going to space is not an easy job, it involves dangers and risks and
unknown threats. From the moment you leave this planet, you never know
what is going to happen. You lose the luxury of predictability.
The point is that you’re never entirely safe when you are out there in the
space. Hence, if you want to become an astronaut, you must be willing to
face all those dangers. You must be willing to put yourself at risk there, and
you must be willing to sacrifice a lot of things.
You only get this kind of fearlessness and courage when you have passion,
commitment and dedication for the kind of goal you’re trying to achieve.
So let me ask you again, do you really want to become an astronaut?
If your answer is a definite and resounding yes then carry on for I have
written this book specifically for you.
My best of wishes to all the future space kids!
Introduction
It’s strange how some of the biggest things in this world are set in motion
by some of the most random occurrences.
I knew in my heart that I was born to do great things in this world, and for
this world. But how did it all start?
With a cartoon!
A three-years-old me was watching a show called The Backyardiagans. The
episode I saw that fateful day was titled, “Mission to Mars”
I went running to my dad, all excited, and asked him about Mars and about
the people who live there.
I was young, and perhaps my dad wasn’t exactly sure how to explain space
to me, as no one in my family had any background in it. Yet he did his best
to enlighten me. He told my three-year-old self about the big world out
there, and he told me about the Moon and Mars.
He told me how people have gone to the Moon. But it would be people
from my generation who’d grow up and go to Mars.
He thought this was just one of those toddler conversations and would
never be revisited.
But he was wrong!
Two weeks later, I very proudly announced my future plans. I still
remember my exact words, “Daddy, I want to be an astronaut, and be one
of the people that go to Mars.”
And like the dad of any toddler around the world, he said okay, because he
didn’t believe it for a second. How could he? I was 3 years old.
For all he knew, my choice of career would change to becoming a princess
the next day, or perhaps a cute animal.
He couldn’t have been more wrong. The next day passed, and the next week
passed and many more weeks and months passed. Years down the road, I
still wanted to be an astronaut when I grew up .
My interest never wavered, if anything it only grew stronger and stronger
with time. However, the day my dad finally registered the reality of the
situation was when he walked into my room and saw me studying a map of
Mars.
When he asked me what I was doing, I began to explain to him about how
“we would go to Mars”
I said it like I meant it. I was thinking of everyone, of the human
civilization. And my dad noticed it right away.
I told him about all the planning I did using that map, and dad found the
explanation very detailed. From getting ready, to landing there, I had
thought of everything. And later, he told me that it was that ultimate light
bulb moment for him.
That was the moment when he realized that his young daughter was serious,
dead serious. And being a father, he took it as his duty to respect my
wishes, support me, and even toughen up a bit for a daughter who wants to
travel outside the planet for a greater good.
Among many other things, I’m grateful to have a father who didn’t let his
concerns, clip my wings. If anything he helped me to train myself to soar
even higher.
That said, it wasn’t all of a sudden, and it took some time for my dad to
come to terms with it–which is understandable.
If you are someone who wants to be an astronaut, or someone who is
aspiring to be, I want you to know this.
Be patient, be understanding and communicate. As a parent, you might lose
some sleep over your child’s choice of career, but you will understand once
you talk to them.
And children, who are having a hard time convincing their parents, try to be
more understanding and give them some time to come around to it. Things
will become so much easier, when you work together as a team. My dad
and I talked about it. We looked at every scenario and all the dangers
involved in it and I gave my dad reasons to support me in my dreams.
That is how it worked for my dad and me. Today, I couldn’t be happier to
see my father be proud of me. Not because I chose to become an astronaut,
but because I was able to achieve my dreams and my dad was supportive of
me and found happiness in my happiness.
I wish the same for all other aspiring astronauts out there. I hope and pray
that all of you find the will and strength and support you deserve to achieve
your dreams. That is why, I’m penning down this book which will serve as
your guide to becoming an astronaut .

The Journey That Led Me to Becoming the

Youngest Astronaut in Training
There’s no shortcut to greatness. Whether you want to become an astronaut,
or choose any other career, you will have to face all the obstacles, and work
on yourself endlessly to reach your ultimate goal.
That’s how it started for me. My dad and I were as new and naïve to the
whole thing as the next person. Dad began to keep his eyes and ears open
for any opportunity, or any place that could help me take first steps in the
right direction.
The First Space Camp
The first thing my dad came across was NASA official Space Camp in
Huntsville. He took me to this camp to see if I’d like it there.
And of course, I loved it!
Not only did I love it there, but the seven year old me blew everyone away
for being so young, yet equally eager and smart. It was this passion of mine
that won me, my first award. The “Right Stuff” award is the highest honor
at Space Camp and I was able to earn it. I’m not sharing this detail here to
brag, but trying to communicate to you the importance of passion. I wasn’t
a naturally gifted person, or a genius. It was only my passion that pushed
me to try harder. After my first space camp, I furthered my education at
NASA Space Camps in Turkey and in Canada.
I then graduated from various Space Academies that were not NASA
official. National Flight Academy, Virginia Flight Academy, Cosmosphere,
Euro Space Academy in Belgium, and Gladiator School in Italy are the ones
that shaped me into the astronaut I am today.
The crew trainers at my first Space Camp had nothing but praise for me.
The passion I showed for this was unusual. It was not like the obsessive
kind that comes and goes. It was the serious kind, where I’d research about
Mars day and night, find out as much as I could, and always be eager to
learn more and challenge myself. I returned to the Space Camp again the
next year, and again after that.
This Space Camp was the first step to becoming an astronaut and it opened
doors of various opportunities for me. But that does not necessarily mean
that you have to follow my exact footsteps. If Space Camp is not an option
for you, for whatever reasons, then there are so many other options you can
look into. If one door is closed for you, then look for another.
The Beginning of My Accomplishments
By the time I was 12, I already had so many achievements under my name.
I had attended the space camp seven times already, each time growing in
my skills.
After that, I attended the Space Academy, a senior level after Space Camp.
Next, I took admission in the Robotics Academy and completed that.
I had visited all the major space centers and attended Sally Ride Camp at
MIT. I also saw the launch of three Space Shuttles at the age of 12; it was
Incredible and mesmerizing and made me even surer of my dreams.
And I also became the first person to visit all three NASA Camps after I
was invited to the Space Camp in Turkey in 2012, and the Space Camp in
Canada in July 2013.
After that, I began to garner lots of media attention. I became a
representative of Space Camp during an interview with British Television.
I had given various motivational speeches to young children. I was also
invited on the "CBS Morning News," BBC, NPR, Australian TV, and the
American talk show "Steve Harvey,"
However, I felt real joy and excitement when at the age of twelve; I was
sitting on a panel for NASA, alongside 3 PhDs and an astronaut. We
discussed the future mission to Mars in 2033 and I realized that my ultimate
dream was finally coming true.
But my goals were far from being accomplished. I wished to visit all 14 of
the NASA’s visitor’s centers in the United States and add even more to my
résumé. Eventually I did, and became the first person to complete the
NASA Passport Program .
What I ultimately want to do is be the first person to land on Mars. NASA
is expecting to carry out the mission in 2033 and I intend to be a part of that
team. The team itself will consist of 6 or 7 astronauts and I hope to be one
of the chosen ones.
But until then, I have dedicated my life to becoming an astronaut and I have
goals that I want to keep achieving. I’ll keep learning new things and
excelling in my training. I am still honing my skills everyday and achieving
new ones so that I can stand out and become a strong candidate for the
mission. I have already attained the Advanced Scuba Certification and have
my eyes set on getting my pilot’s license next.
In every way possible, I am training myself so that I have what it takes to be
the first person to land on Mars. It’s not an ordinary mission so it’s not
going to be an ordinary journey.
But my passions do not end there. Growing up, I maintained a balanced life
by playing soccer and practicing piano. I took ballet classes and remained
involved in all the school clubs. I’d always take out time to hang out with
my friends. I always believed it was important that I had common sense to
compliment my knowledge for a mission to Mars .
Hence when I am not busy training to be an astronaut, I train myself to
build robots.
And it continued
The PoSSUM Space Academy and the Advanced PoSSUM Academy, were
founded specifically for children like you and me, who became interested in
space science at a young age. PoSSUM’s riveting programs, taught through
active participation, do not have an age barrier. High school and
undergraduate students who want to learn all about upper-atmospheric
research, bioastronautics, science communication, and human space flight
operations can apply at this academy.
By October 2016, I became the youngest person to be accepted, and to
graduate from the Advanced PoSSUM Academy. I took master level classes
in space atmosphere, space physiology, and research studies. The trainings
that I have accomplished so far from the PoSSUM Academy include
microgravity, G force, space suit, water survival, and decompression. All of
these classes and trainings I received from this academy provided me the
official certification for suborbital flight .
Next step was university and I became the youngest candidate to be
accepted into International Space University.
My Struggles
I had so much to do at such a young age and it was my own choice.
Nonetheless, being a parent my dad was slightly worried. As much as he
supports me in my passion, he also didn’t want me to miss out on my
childhood years. Or even miss out on all the things that people my age do.
The reason why I am talking about this is because this part is as important
as the other one. Everyone needs a break and everyone needs to spend time
with friends. Surrounding yourself with friends and family is one of the
most therapeutic and best feelings in the world.
It might become a struggle to keep the balance, but it has to be done. My
dad made sure that I never missed out on childhood activities, amidst all the
space camps, media, and other engagements.
As different as my childhood was, it was also the same as any other kid at
the age of 12.
As I grew up to be teenager, my dad encouraged me to have sleepovers, and
go to movies and even be good at school and afterschool activities.
And we somehow managed all that. Despite being short on time, and
having packed schedules, we still did that.
Don’t think that you cannot do it. To be able to work hard can be one of the
best abilities a person can have, and good thing all of us can acquire it with
determination.
I am just an ordinary Louisiana girl with an extraordinary passion for
something. But that does not mean I am a genius, or that things come easily
to me. I struggle too, but my passion drives me to keep trying until I
succeed.
Things appear perfect and flawless from afar, but neither I nor my dad
would want people to see that mirage of an image. If you see it like that,
your own struggles will overwhelm you.
We had our own share of struggles and my biggest enemy had always been
time. As fervent as I am about becoming an astronaut and being the first
person to Mars, I cannot ignore all the important things.
I have my school to attend, and all the school activities, and then camps,
and robotic training. At the moment for example I am trying to get my
pilot’s license before the age of 18, and on top of that, I have family time
and my own personal time to prioritize .
There’s only so much a person can do and tough schedules can take a toll
on one’s health and body. If you are signing up for this, make sure to keep
everything balanced. Rely on schedules and your life will be easy.
How My Dad Accepted My Daring Choice of A Career
Including this part in the book is vital, not only because I get asked about it
several times a day, but also because parents need to understand this.
Like I mentioned before, it wasn’t easy for us either. When the realization
first began to dawn on my father, he was disturbed, like any father would
be.
Sending your daughter off to mars means many things. As safe and as
progressive as space missions are being made, the risk is always there.
We’re involved with nature here, and it creates one of the most
unpredictable circumstances. No amount of training and set ups can prepare
us for something we cannot even predict.
The reason I’m talking about this is not to scare anyone, but making sure
that you know what you are getting into. Aspiring astronauts will never be
able to focus on their trainings, or completely commit to it unless they have
come to terms with these facts.
The same goes for the parents. In order to support your children with their
dreams, you’ll need to accept the dangers involved in it. My father has
passed that stage and he knows that after 2033, he might never be able to
see me again.
My dad is asked about it, he says it’s a double edged sword. On one hand,
he is very proud of me and my accomplishments, on the other, he says it’s
not the best feeling in the world to have your child leave the planet.
We talked about it and I made sure that my dad understands why I want to
do it, and why I need to do it. I told him that I feel this to be my faith.
He listened to me and tried to understand my point of view. And I too, tried
to understand his point of view. It was not easy for him to see his daughter
take baby steps out of the cribs and all the way to Mars. I don’t know what
will happen in the future, but if everything goes right, I’ll want to see more
and discover more.
Now my dad feels differently. He sees me as a gift given to him, and he
knows that when I’ll go to Mars, I’ll be gone for three years without any
real-time communication except for video-messages. He sees me as a gift
because he has accepted the possibility that he might never see me again
and that these 20 years I’ll have with him is a gift given to him by fate and
he wants to make the most of this time .
Someone asked my dad, how he would react if I suddenly wanted to change
my career, if I no longer want to be an astronaut. And my father simply
said, “That’s fine”
It is because he never pushed me to it, it was my own choice to choose this
and it would be my own choice to leave it. I won’t be disappointing anyone.
I have pulled my father into the whole wanting to be an astronaut idea,
rather than the other way around. He is here to support me and my passions,
regardless of what they are.
As for me, I don’t think I’ll be giving up on this dream anytime soon. There
is just something that calls me to the planet Mars. And I am going to do my
best to get there.
I hope that all of you get the same kind of support I did, and that you have
parents who are willing to change the way they think in order to help you
achieve your dreams.
And even if you don’t have support from your immediate family, it is
important to find at least one person who would continue rooting for you.
That could be a friend, a relative, a teacher, or anyone in your life that is
willing to be part of your team. I want you to keep following your dreams
and to not let anyone ever take it away from you .

Why I Want to Be the First Astronaut to go to

Mars?
As more and more years pass, and my knowledge expands, I find more
reasons to visit Mars. Yet, the reason why I followed this dream in the first
place is because no one has ever been there. No human at least, and I want
to be the first one to do it; I want to be the one in my generation to take that
first step.
Mars is a planet that is most similar to Earth as far as our very limited
discoveries go. While no human has ever made the journey, there are
several Spacecraft Satellites and Probes that have been to Mars. Because of
these, we were able to see ice caps at the top and at the bottom of Mars.
There were also various photo samples collected from Mars that showed
features on its surface that could have been formed by running water.
These interesting discoveries on Mars have opened endless possibilities for
us. For all we know, it could be the next earth. Even now, as I speak, there
are studies being carried out to gather as much information as possible. Yet
there are some things that only humans can research, as they work faster
than the robots we have there right now.
Other than the excitement of discovering a planet where we can possibly
live, it also symbolizes the first step for us. There is a giant universe for us
to explore; planets we have never ventured to, galaxies we have never heard
of, and stars that are being born. And then there are black holes that are
gigantic, bigger than our sun and then there could be all those nameless
things that we haven’t even seen yet, or know that they exist. Just imagine
all those things floating around. What do they do? Why are they there and
how did they come to exist in the first place? It’s more than we can
imagine.
We are talking about, 96% of the undiscovered space here. If the 4% we
have seen is enough to blow our minds, imagine the possibility of
ascertaining what else is out there. There are things we cannot even predict,
comprehend, or see where we are .
And it will all start with our mission to Mars. Being a Mars generation, I
feel it my duty to cross this bridge so that the generation after mine, could
do theirs.
We never know how long our earth is going to last. Perhaps millions of
years later, an asteroid will hit it, or maybe the sun will burn down, or
perhaps none of these things would ever happen. But there at least would be
hope for us to find a second home in Mars. And that is why I want to go to
Mars. I want to leave a lasting impact on the world.
But that’s all me. You have your own dreams to discover and fulfill. If you
too want to brave the space, then I hope I can help you as much as I can
with this book.
Just remember never to back down, not because of others, and not because
of the circumstances. Always follow your dream and don’t let anyone take
it from you.
The First Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Use the
Interweb
We are from the generation that quite literally has the whole world at its
fingertips. I’m referring to the internet here and most of us have easy access
to it.
I know that you’d like to get out of your house and begin physical training
as soon as you can. But before your body, your mind would require some
simulation. I would suggest you pick up your laptop and seek out
information in as many ways as you can.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
• NASA, ESA, and Russian Federal Space Agency’s Projects for the
Youngsters
If you are too young and are unable to convince the elders around you, then
don’t lose hope. And don’t lose your dreams either. Meanwhile you can
keep your interest alight with the projects approved by the official Space
Association in your country.
NASA’s Space place website has a list of fun projects that can keep you
involved while also expanding your space knowledge. In this way, all the
while you are not out there attending one of the space camps, you’re still
learning a lot in your own way.
ESA kids website, launched by the European Space Agency, is a goldmine
of knowledgeable space games for the youth. These agencies are always
supporting youth in their respective countries and would always be coming
up with new programs for the astronauts to-be. Stay in the loop, and you’ll
surely find a program fit for you.
• Read Cosmological Articles
Remember how I mentioned that some museums have great story-telling
programs that share all the juicy details about space? Guess what? There are
many websites on the internet that upload weekly and daily on everything
stellar .
Many of them use the simplest terms with their young audience in mind, to
share details about the newly discovered planets, planets that are strangely
earth-like in some manner, and of course all the details about mars.
• YouTube Channels
You might find it a bit hard to believe, but you can actually learn a lot about
space with YouTube. There are entire channels dedicated to making space
an awesome learning experience. There are crash courses and everything
you want to learn about space on YouTube. You will even find an official
NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos Media channel on YouTube. It is rich with
sources and will help you further cultivate your interest in all things space
related.
If you are unable to do any training, or go to any camps or museums, then
don’t lose hope. You can finish your school, and get your degree in any of
the STEM subjects, all the while educating yourself through self-learning.
When you have enough sources and time, you can always pursue your
dreams again. And apart from the physical aspect, you’ll manage to keep up
because you won’t be behind in terms of theory.
But remember, it is lots of training, so you’ll have to dedicate all your time
to it.
• Look at the Sky and Know your Stars
If you wish to become an astronaut, then you must know about the stars and
the constellations. For all you know you could be living in space for years,
you should at least be aware of your surroundings.
And once again, the internet will help you. There are many apps available
on Android as well as iOS that allow you to point your phones at the sky
and find out exactly what you are looking at.
• Movies and Documentaries
It involves some serious risks when you decide to become an astronaut. I
cannot stress it enough, how important it is that you learn about these risks,
understand them, and come to terms with them to the point of being
absolutely okay with it.
You cannot go to space with fears running through your mind.
The best way to take care of that matter is by watching realistic, factual and
even conventional movies and documentaries. Learn about Challenger and
Columbia, the two space shuttles that were involved in accidents.
This will give you a sobering and realistic perspective of space. You can
also have a more cheerful viewing experience by watching movies that help
you learn about the current standing of space programs, and all the progress
that have been made up till now.
Here are a few recommendations from me, but you can always explore
further:

A Beautiful Planet
The Farthest Voyager in Space
The Mars Generation
Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo
I Want To Be An Astronaut

• Space Websites
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking,
and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you”
Matthew 7:7
This can simply not be denied. You’ll find everything you want if you
search for it. Do not think your doors are closed if you are stuck at home.
There are numbers of educational astronomy websites that can help you get
closer to your goal.
There are number of websites dedicated to night sky viewing. There are
those with forums and news regarding events all across the globe. Even
better, there are websites called Space Programs that will help you develop
a program and help you explore stars. These websites will also teach you all
there’s to know about orbital physics and spacecraft components.
You can also subscribe to a monthly magazine that will bring you a fresh
bout of information every month. There are also many bona fide websites
that come up with various thought provoking stories every month.
And the list just goes on and on. You’ll be surprised by how much you can
educate yourself with just using the internet. These information and
knowledge will never go to waste. The more you know about space, and
astronomy, the better.
Oh, and all of these information are absolutely free of cost.
• Listen to the Astronauts Talk
All the conversations that take place between mission control on the ground
and the astronauts who are aboard the International Space Station are
actually made available to public by NASA. The European Space Agency
doesn’t hold back either and every now and then releases videos where their
astronauts talk and share some of the most mind-boggling details regarding
their space researches. The Russian Federal Space Agency is also very open
about their space programs and their astronauts do not shy away from
sharing some fascinating space stories, or from speaking to aspiring
astronauts.
Any of us can hear the NASA astronauts talk live on any day of the week
and any hour of the day–and all from the comfort of your home. In case you
don’t understand what’s going on, NASA also provides a commentary of
the station missions.
You learn a lot, when you listen to astronauts talk about real-time issues.
You might be wondering how all this information can make you an
astronaut, well it won’t. But it will make you the best candidate for it. Even
with all the training and education, there are chances for you to get rejected
on your first try, and even second and third. One retired astronaut, Clay
Anderson got rejected 14 times, until he was accepted at his 15th try. And
according to him, it was all academic.
Just like the NASA administrator, Charles Bolden explained that when
students ask him what they should study, to become an astronaut, he’d say,
“Most definitely math and science but study everything. You need to be
able to converse intelligently; you need to be able to express yourself well
such that you can sell yourself to somebody else.”
And that’s all it is. Honing your skills, building yourself up, and attaining
experiences and training that will help you stand out. Also, if you are young
and have yet to graduate high school, this is the only thing you can do at the
moment. Well this and the rest of the things mentioned in the second step .
The Second Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Take
a Look Around you
As I mentioned earlier that becoming an astronaut is a second job, the first
one should be a career in STEM.
According to NASA, there are exactly three things you need in order
become an astronaut:

1. A bachelor’s degree in any of the STEM field. A degree in

engineering, biological science, physical science or
mathematics would be best.
2. You’ll need at least 1000 hours of flying time on a jet aircraft.
Or three years of work experience in your chosen career.
3. A physical exam would take place that will confirm your
career as an astronaut.
ESA too has a set of general, medical, psychological and professional
requirements. While the basic requirements are more or less the same, it is
very important that you become aware of the requirements listed by the
space agency in your country.
Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, Canadian Space Agency, China
National Space Administration, and Russian Federal Space Agency are
some of the agencies functioning in other countries.
If you think you have already established a steady relationship with the
internet and it is about time you start doing something physically, then I
suggest you take a look around you.
Once you start looking, you’d be surprised at how many things you have all
around you that can help you achieve your dream career.
There will always be something that could bring you closer to space.
Perhaps there’s a whole section dedicated to space in your local library.
Maybe you have a teacher who is as interested in space as you are and have
considerable knowledge on the subject .
You can even make some efforts to bridge the gaps between you and your
dreams. NASA offers many programs in collaboration with schools. You
can convince your school authorities to collaborate with these programs.
• Space Museums
Learning never has to be boring and there’s no better way to get very real
with the space phenomenon other than visiting Space Museums. The
internet will help you find the nearest Space Museums from your house.
And you can simply begin your journey of becoming an astronaut from
there.
You can also propose the idea to your school management. There are
several Space Museums that collaborate with schools to allow students to
participate in various interesting activities.
Here‘s what you can see and learn from Space Museums:
➢ Renowned pilots, astronauts, scientists, historians, and experts
in aviations and spaceflights are invited regularly to museums to
speak. There is so much you can learn from these legendary
people that it will truly open your eyes. This is truly the best way
to be introduced to space, by people who are aware of the latest
findings and who have practically dedicated their whole lives to
discovering outer space.
➢ Space museums around the world have a rather impressive
collection of outer space artifacts. Looking at each item and
reading about it will make you more informed about space.
➢ And perhaps the best part about space is the fact that it is full of
mysteries. There are many space museums that are full of stories
and interesting space facts that will bring your jaws to the floor.
➢ In addition to smaller artifacts, you might even be able to see
spacecraft that have been to space and back safely.
➢ Simulator rides are so much fun and gives you a tiny bit insight
into what it would be like to be in space. Fortunately, there are
many space museums that have such rides and will take you to the
stars.
➢ Theaters and planetariums are also widely present in space
museums. The fun, fascination and aspirations you feel as you
zoom in through the cosmos are unmatchable.
If you want to become an astronaut because you love everything about
space, I strongly suggest you look for the space museums near you. It will
tell educate you so much space and even help you make a decision. There
are many people who enter the museums wanting to be astronaut, but leave
with another space careers in mind. Either way, space museum will broaden
your perspective.
• Space Camps
Search the internet and look for space camps that best suits your schedule
and your pocket.
The space camps are perhaps the first step to becoming an astronaut.
However, there are many other options as well if you cannot make it to
Huntsville, Alabama.
Again, the internet will help you find your opportunities. Just remember
that you are never out of options. You can always do something that would
bring you a step closer to achieving your dreams, and never underestimate
the power of internet.
• People
Who can be a better source of information, and who could guide you better
than the people around you?
Given that these people are well aware of the advice they are dishing, and
are experts in the respective field of Space.
Talking to these kinds of people is actually a lot easier than you can
imagine. Like I have mentioned earlier, many space museums allow you to
have a session with the experts so that you can ask your questions and heed
their advices.
There are many people who could also offer you career guidance. Make
sure that these people have the authority and credentials to guide you.
• Your School
Your school might not have a community dedicated to space specifically,
but you might have a math society, a science club, robotics club or an
engineering club. You must become part of these clubs. If you don’t have
these kinds of clubs in your school, then you can always start one.
If there’s a science fair, or an engineering fair about to happen then you
better rush to participate in it. Don’t worry about your projects, once you
get to work, and invest your time in it, it’ll all work out.
Get as much relevant experience, and information as you can. Start early
from school, so that by the time you are in space camps, your resume is
already brimming.
• Get in Shape
When you’re up in space, your body goes through a number of changes.
You don’t have to use as much energy as you do on Earth. You also end up
losing your muscle mass and bone density in space.
If you are unfit, you’ll lose your chances of being accepted by NASA as
being in space would put your body and health at risk. It’s very important to
take care of your physical health when training to be an astronaut.
There are some other physical demands of becoming an astronaut as well.
Candidates applying for NASA would require to have a height of
somewhere between 62 and 75 inches. Those applying at Canadian Space
Agency would need to be between 59 inches to 75 inches. The Russian
Federal Space Agency would only accept your cosmonaut applications if
you stand somewhere between 60 inches to 75 inches.
You must also have 20/20 vision. It could be natural or through corrective
lenses.
The third health requirement is that your blood pressure must not be over
140/90 when you are in a sitting position.
All in all, it is required for you to be in a very good shape and to be healthy.
This includes both physical health and mental health.
Again, you just have to look around you and take help from sources near
you to get in shape. You can always join a gym, or take swimming classes.
You can find any fun activity that will get you moving. It could be bike
riding every day, going for hikes often, or even joining a sports team at
school.
I’d like to reinstate that becoming an astronaut is not like other professions.
It’s more of a lifestyle than a degree you get at college. If you wish to
increase your chances of becoming an astronaut, then I suggest you start
right now. Go search the internet and take a look around you and begin your
self-training.
The Third Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Listen
to People Who Are Already Living Your Dream
Sometimes, you just need to get your foot in the door to pursue your career
of choice. And sometimes, the right person can get you through that door.
Do not misunderstand this step. There are no shortcuts to becoming an
astronaut. Every single person would have to go through the same training,
and selection process as any other. The ones who have more skills, more
training, and more of everything will be the best candidates.
So how can a veteran astronaut help you? By counseling you and by
guiding you. Like I mentioned earlier, astronautics is a rare career that does
not require a specific education, but it requires one to maintain a lifestyle.
You’d never find a definite guide that would tell you how to become an
astronaut, but you can get guidance from people who are already living
your dream.
There are many ways you can seek guidance and counseling from such
people. Just like me, other astronauts are asked the same question time and
again, how can I become an astronaut?
They have shared their valuable insights in many different manners.
Here are some options you can look at to get guidance from the people who
are living (or have lived) the space exploration life:
• Books
Most people write books about their life-changing experiences. Hence, you
can definitely expect astronauts to write one since their whole career is
about outer space experiences. Here are some books that you can read by
real-life astronauts.
Ask an Astronaut was written by the British astronaut Tim Peake. He wrote
this book as an answer to the long list of questions people asked him after
his first stay at the International Space Station in June 2016. In this book,
you might find answers to a number of questions that have been running
through your mind.
The best thing about his book is that it begins from the very beginning of
his journey. In the book, Tim Peake chronicles his space exploration
journey from the very start. He takes the reader through his training days
and to the days he was spacewalking in real time.
'Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace, and Second
Chances' (Amistad, 2017)
This book is a memoir by astronaut Leland Melvin. People who think they
have lost their chance of becoming an astronaut need to read this.
Melvin was playing as a professional NFL player, when an injury ended his
career. Melvin then decided to go to school to become an engineer. He
already had a backup plan. He started working hard at becoming a scientist.
That led to his career in NASA. He practically went from the football field
to flying in space.
Currently retired, he has dedicated his life to helping young people achieve
their dreams to become an astronaut.
'Ask the Astronaut' is written by Tom Jones, a four-time space shuttle
flyer.
In his book, Jones answered 400 questions related to his career in space.
There’s hardly a facet of his life in NASA that he didn’t answer. But most
important of all, he answered every single question a person could have
regarding becoming an astronaut.
From his inspirations, trainings, educations, to his first launch in space, he
has talked about it all.
"What's It Like in Space? Stories from Astronauts who’ve been There"
is a book by NASA advisor, Ariel Waldman that gives a very real and
personal look into the lives of astronauts living in space.
While Waldman herself has never been to space, she does call herself a
certified space geek. Waldman made it easy for all of us by talking to
multiple astronauts and compiling their personal stories into this book. Even
if your options are limited, you can always listen to the interesting stories of
the astronauts via this book.
This book by Waldman is more apt for those who are still debating over
their choice of becoming an astronaut. The book is very forthright about
some of the challenging aspects of living in space.
The writing style has a very conversational approach to it. The book makes
the reader feel as if they are talking about spacewalking, space food, and
even space hygiene over a friendly dinner with the astronauts.
'The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut' by
Clayton C. Anderson
I doubt that there exists a better book for aspiring astronauts, who are
scared of failure and rejection. Clayton Anderson got rejected 14 times
before being accepted by NASA on his 15th attempt.
This memoir imparts intricate details regarding Clayton’s entire 30-year
NASA career. The book is even amusing to read as Anderson quirkily
mentions his 15 different applications to NASA, his bonding experience
with his astronaut class, and even tackles one of the most asked questions
from the astronauts around the world - how do astronauts use the bathroom
in space?
I barely scratched the surface with these books. Search the libraries near
you, or use the internet. You will surely hit a goldmine of information,
thanks to all the astronauts who decided to share their experience.
Here are some more books you can seek counsel from:

Orbit: NASA Astronauts Photograph the Earth - Jay Apt

An Astronaut's Diary - Jeffrey Hoffman
Mission: Earth - Voyage To The Home Planet - Thomas Jones
Don Lind, Mormon Astronaut - Don Lind
We Seven: By the Astronauts Themselves - Scott Carpenter,
Gordon Cooper, Virgil Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan
Shepard, and Deke Slayton
Entering Space - Joseph Allen
Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farm
Worker Turned Astronaut - Jose Hernandez
Find Where the Wind Goes: Moments from My Life - Mae
Jemison
Sky Walking: An Astronaut's Memoir - Thomas Jones
Liftoff! An Astronaut's Dream - Mike Mullane
For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury
Astronaut - Scott Carpenter

• Set up a Meeting with an Astronaut

When I was 9 years old, I met NASA astronaut Sandra Magnus. It was
during this meeting I realized that my decision to go to space was not a
passing hobby. Any doubts I had, flew out of the window.
At that time, I was just a typical kid; thinking about being a teacher one
moment, then dreaming about being the president in the next. But
somewhere in the back of my mind, I’d always think of them as after-plans.
More like, things I’d do after returning from space .
Sandra Magnus told me that she was my age when she first thought about
going to space and that’s what confirmed it for me. In that moment, I
realized that if she can make a decision that early of an age, then so can I.
This fascination with space and everything related to it couldn’t just be
fleeting thoughts.
I know setting up a meeting with an astronaut might not be easy. But you do
get several chances when you attend NASA space camps or any official or
non-official space camp in your country. Even occasional space programs
organized by NASA for the youth offer opportunities to meet the astronauts.
Even though it would be a one-time meeting, I’d urge you to go to them and
ask questions that have been nagging you the most. The peace of mind, or
confirmation you are seeking could end up coming from them.
Being mentored by an astronaut or any employee of the space agencies,
who knows about the skills that will give you an edge over the others, can
help you have better chance s
The Fourth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Talk
about Your Dreams Often, you never know Who’s
listening
If you already know what you want to do with your life, do not hesitate to
talk about it, especially among people who actually listen to what you have
to say. Fate and destiny work in strange ways, and you could never know
who is listening.
I would always talk about going to Mars. The fact that I was attending
camps, and working towards my goal communicated to others that I was
very serious about it.
In fact, something very pleasant came out of it for me. I’m pretty sure
talking about your dreams often would definitely attract the right crowd
towards you.
Here’s how being vocal about my dreams blessed me with a mentor. A very
good friend of my dad’s went to high school with Bill Parsons in a very
small town. At the time, Mr. Parsons was a Director at Cape Canaveral.
Since we would always talk about my future plans, this friend of my dad’s
knew about it. Because of this, he arranged a meeting for me with Mr.
Parsons. At the age of 10, I ended up getting an amazing mentor. To this
day, Mr. Parsons is my guide.
I’m not the only one. There are tons of successful people out there who met
someone at the right time and ended up achieving their life dreams.
We all know how Harrison Ford was installing cabinets in a director’s
house, when he ended up getting the chance he always wanted. Even small
talk about aspirations could end up making someone as successful as
Harrison Ford. So, go ahead and talk to people. Even the most random
person could end up giving you the chance you needed.
The Fifth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Train
Yourself
Becoming an astronaut is not only about flying into space. There is a lot
more to it than that.
You have to remain on top of your survival game. You need to have the
skill, talent, and aptitude needed for making split second decisions. You’ll
have to be space-smart and always remain prepared for facing unpredictable
risks.
In order to achieve all that, you’ll have to train yourself really hard.
Becoming an astronaut is like having an open curriculum. You never know
which course is going to help you, so you take as many as you can.
Just to give you a little perspective, let me share some astronautic history.
Back in 1959, it was the military that used to hand-pick the astronauts. In
fact, the very first astronauts were selected by the military. These astronauts
were required to have the flight experience of a jet aircraft. Additionally, it
was required for them to have an educational background in engineering.
Later, NASA thought that scientists would be better suited for the job since
they were aware of the inner workings of the space.
Over the years, these requirements have changed, and the options have
expanded. Having flight experience and an engineering degree is no longer
the only way to become an astronaut.
The physical restrictions and educational requirements are one aspect.
Training is an entirely different matter.
There are endless ways by which one can train to become an astronaut and
be very good at it.
• Team Player
If you are a person who fulfills every other requirement save for this one,
it’ll be a major setback for you, and would weaken your application .
Team work for astronauts in space is as important as oxygen. The
profession thrives on it. The feat is too big, the mission too risky, and
without teamwork no mission would ever be successful.
If you are a person who has trouble getting along with others, then I urge
you to work on your skills. Train yourself to become a better team player.
That said you can be either of the two; a follower or a leader. Whichever
you choose, you have to be exceptionally good at both. Space missions
heavily rely on leadership skills. Leading a team into space requires
extensive knowledge, the ability to take initiatives and quick decisions.
Letting the team take lead, crediting them for the success, and taking
responsibility for the failures are some of the key characteristics of a good
leader.
Being a good follower means following your leader without question,
carrying out duties responsibly, and remaining a very important part of the
team by carrying your weight. You’ll need to take a look at your roles and
assess whether you’re helping or hindering.
Again, you need to train yourself to be a good leader or a good follower.
• Resourcefulness
Regardless of how young you are, if you want to become an astronaut
you’ll need to put yourself in different situations. Join survival camps, learn
scuba diving, trekking, and sky diving. Join as many sports as you can.
All these experiences would make you resourceful. Even though you are
taught all this in Space Camps, having these skills prior to that will
strengthen you as a candidate. It will also help you develop your skills more
and more.
• Reasoning
To be an astronaut, you need to have above-average intelligence. I’m not
talking about being book smart. I’m talking about having the ability to find
a way out of tricky situations. The people who have this ability are those
whose minds work fast and are exceptionally quick thinkers.
If you are someone who has always been curious and would come up with
some of the weirdest ideas, then this might be your calling. When you are in
space, your quick thinking, and your curiosity can be game changing. You
might be able to lead way for new research.
• Communication
The kind of communication skills astronauts require is a bit different than a
regular person.
To be an astronaut, you must be able to convey messages in fewer words
and simplest manner. Likewise, you must also be able to decipher messages
fast and easily. This is a skill that should never be underestimated. When
something goes wrong during missions, no one can afford to repeat
themselves.
You must even train to learn sign languages, learn to speak in codes, and
master the art of non-verbal communication. Knowing many languages
would come in handy too.
• Public Speaking
Public speaking is another thing you need to master in order to be an
astronaut. The job involves more than just going to space. You become a
mentor, a speaker, a guest and even a celebrity. You’d be invited to various
events where you’ll have to speak to the public.
If you have any kind of fear, make sure you practice yourself out of it. The
best solution to stage fright is practicing and embracing the fear. Put
yourself in situations where you are exposed to public speaking. This might
seem scary and panicky at first, but there would come a time when it won’t
be any longer.
You’d only be able to enjoy the profession, when you are well-versed with
public speaking. People love to know about the training, about life in space,
and what goes on inside the head of an astronaut. You’ll only be able to
share your experiences, and convey your feelings when you are not
panicking or frightened. So teach yourself to be good at it.
• Judgment
Having good judgment is a requirement to become an astronaut. You need
to have a sixth sense, a foresight that would help make you good judgment.
The right one can result in a successful mission, probably one that would be
marked in history forever. One wrong judgment will not only cause your
mission to fail but would also put your life and your crew’s life at risk.
Train yourself by reading situations, learning about past missions, thinking
of every scenario that can go wrong.
• Adaptability
You have to be extremely flexible and zero maintenance to be an astronaut.
There won’t be any working hours for you, no luxury of choosing your own
tasks, or have any kind of high-end living conditions.
You have to be highly adaptable and remain prepared for the unknown. You
must be able to do what you are asked to do without a second thought.
You’ll have to move between tasks at a lightning speed, you’ll have to be
welcoming of diversity, and you must be able to adjust to new routines and
accommodations.
• Mental Endurance
I have said it before, and will say it again. Astronauts need to be physically
and mentally healthy. Most people overlook mental health, but it is one of
the most important requirement for being an astronaut. The profession often
leaves a person in isolation, away from loved ones and in scenarios that are
mentally challenging.
If you wish to ace as an astronaut, then you must be able to grapple with
these feelings. You should also have no problem living with many people in
close quarters; people who are complete strangers to you.
You know it’s important when the European Space Agency listed it as one
of their key requirements for Astronaut Training application.
It says, “The general characteristics expected of applicants include good
reasoning capability and memory , concentration , aptitude for spatial
orientation and manual dexterity. An applicant's personality should be
characterized by high motivation , flexibility , gregariousness , empathy
with fellow workers, a low level of aggressiveness and emotional stability .
For long-term flights on the Space Station ability to work as a team
member in an intercultural environment is of high importance.”
All the skills that I have mentioned are just the basic ones. The more you
train yourself, and the more you learn about survival, the better your
chances get. Remember that all these skills will never go to waste. One day,
you’ll be utterly grateful for learning them.
If right now, you feel like you are at a standstill and cannot get a STEM
degree, nor get into a Space Camp, then I suggest you begin your self-
training.
Begin as soon as possible. Skills like these takes years to cultivate and you
don’t have a minute to waste.
Just like retired astronaut Chris Hadfield said, "To become an astronaut, I
recommend 3 things: keep your body healthy, get an advanced technical
education, and learn to make tough decisions and stick with them. "
He advises young aspirants to "learn other languages, learn to fly, learn to
scuba dive, learn medical training, and always be pursuing new skills.”
“There is no one specific path to becoming an astronaut.” he added. “The
best thing you can do is train yourself to enjoy building up the skills that
end up defining who you are. ”

The Sixth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Help

Yourself Stand Out
If you think the previous chapter would help you seal your fate as an
astronaut, then I’m about to get a little real.
The advice I gave in the prior chapter is something that would prepare you
for entering the race. You would become a good candidate for NASA’s
astronaut program without a doubt, but does that mean you’d get selected
for sure? That would be a little hard to say.
No matter how much you prepare yourself, there would always be
candidates who possess some skill that is out of the ordinary. This is what
space agencies are after.
NASA does not impose any age limit on people who want to apply for the
position of an astronaut. It does have a long list of requirements, as well as
certifications that one needs to acquire to be considered as a strong
candidate. Since it is quite rare for people to achieve this level of skill,
training, and education before the age of 18, most people apply after. Most
candidates focus on training themselves and strengthening their chances of
being accepted. It’s usually the same for the other space agencies. However
some space agencies do have a strict age limit. Again, do your research
well.
The bottom line is you need to be different. You need to have something
that will make you stand out .
All the things I mentioned before are the requirements of becoming an
astronaut. You cannot become one without being a good team player,
without being resourceful, adaptable, a good speaker and so forth.
So once you have covered the basis, you’d need to go a step further.
Here are some of the skills that would help you stand out as a candidate and
would definitely increase your chances of becoming an astronaut, tenfold:
• Diverse Educational Background
This is one of the beautiful aspects of being an astronaut. You can entertain
more than one interest and use all of them simultaneously. I was passionate
about being an astronaut and I pursued it with all my heart and soul. But it
did not stop me from expanding my interests. I found building robots
interesting and that’s what I went after next. In many ways, that
strengthened my resume.
Anne Roemer is a NASA Manager for Astronaut Selection, and Shannon
Walker is a present NASA Astronaut. Two years ago, they conducted an
‘Ask Us Anything’ (AMA) session on Reddit. We got to learn so many
things from their replies.
When asked about educational background, they explained that, “NASA is
looking for people who are not just qualified in their field, but have a
variety of skills and interests. A varied background will help your
application stand out.”
They further explained that they have “…..astronauts with all different
kinds of backgrounds - from a vet, to an oceanographer, military test pilots,
medical doctors, etc.”
Do your research and go after specialized degrees that might be considered
as uncommon, but make sure it’s a program that interests you.
Do not fret if you are past that point. You can still stand out from the crowd
of candidates by having a unique experience. Not all engineering degrees
are the same and not all computer science graduates are the same. What sets
them apart from the rest is the list of different experiences in their resume.
Hence, you should go ahead and pursue as many degrees as you want and
do not shy away from unique and rare STEM degrees. Your interest in odd
subjects can make you a solid candidate for NASA’s astronaut program.
• Personality
If you’ve heard people comment on your unique personality all your life,
then you may have a better chance of being accepted .
Most of us end up suppressing our personalities for the sake of conforming
to society’s standards. Well guess what? NASA wouldn’t want you to .
NASA would like to have astronauts with those unique personalities.
A little uniqueness is what NASA looks for. Do you have a sharp mind that
comes up with a quick joke and lightens up the mood within seconds? Do
you carry traits like bravery, charisma, and patience that never fail to charm
and inspire others?
If yes, then be a completely unadulterated version of yourself when you go
for your interview and use all that charm to get selected.
There’s absolutely no place for negativity in this profession. Even if you
don’t have the best sense of humor, or a quick witted mind, show that
positive and optimist side of yours that others love about you.
There are professions that thrive on expertise, and then are those that are
built upon personalities. However, being an astronaut means you have to
stand out in both ways.
• Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is one of most valued skills when it comes to
becoming an astronaut.
Here’s a real-life example that demonstrates this: On April 13, 1970
astronaut Jack Swigert noticed the fuel pressure warning in his spacecraft.
Swigert was one of the crew members of Apollo 13, which was 200,000
miles from Earth at that moment and was nearer to the moon than to the
home base.
Upon further inspection, it was found that one of the craft’s oxygen tanks
had sparked a fire, destroying itself in the process. The other tank was very
heavily damaged as well.
As a result, there was little thrust left in the spacecraft, and not enough of a
heat shield to return to Earth. To remain calm and steady in a situation like
that is a feat, and yet Commander James Lovell managed it.
It was his emotional intelligence alone that brought the crew safe back
home under the guidance of engineers. It is also one of those things that will
help you stand out.
It takes a long time to achieve that kind of emotional intelligence. There are
some professions that just drill emotional intelligence into you. Business
people, especially those who are huge risk takers develop that kind of skills.
Some people are just born with that deeply rooted emotional intelligence,
and others develop it as a result of different life experiences .
It is best that you start working on it right away, if you think you are
someone who gets stressed out easily, and couldn’t get out of shock soon
enough. You need to practice and condition yourself to stay calm if you just
lose the ability to function normally under challenging circumstances.
Homesickness is another emotional challenge you’d need to deal with as an
astronaut. The time spent in space is usually very long, and unlike Earth,
you cannot back out easily. Train yourself to be mentally strong. Travel
often to become more independent and confident on your own. Put yourself
among strangers and try to live with them in close quarters. The more you
do it, the more comfortable you’ll be during your mission.
• Get as Much Training as You Can
This is something that helped me in standing out so I’d like to recommend it
to others as well. I joined Space Camps at an early age, and became the first
person to complete the NASA Passport Program.
I was also the first person to go to all 14 NASA Visitor Centers in the US.
Other than these, I was able to achieve a lot more at a very young age and it
is all because I started early.
This worked out for me; you must go out there and search for the best space
training that will work for you. Once you are done with space camps, enroll
in space academies. If you are a high school student, or an undergrad, then
try PoSSUM. It offers a citizen science programs and is very international.
Would-be astronauts from all over the world come to this facility to get
hands-on learning experience and receive official certifications. I met
people from the United States, Portugal, Ireland, Egypt, and other parts of
the world during my training.
Young aspiring astronauts, who are extremely sure about their choice of
career, must start now. Not tomorrow, and not any other day. Just get to
work now and shape yourself as a perfect candidate for NASA, ESA,
Roscosmos, or for the space agency of your own country. This will give
you time and opportunities to make records, and develop skills that people
do so later in life. Being young, your mind and your learning abilities are in
excellent shape.
The Seventh Step to Becoming an Astronaut:
Forget About Becoming an Astronaut and Find a
Passion That Will Last
I know this doesn’t make sense, but trust me on this.
In order to increase your chances of getting accepted by NASA, discover
other passions. The more you are passionate about something, the better
your chances are.
It is very important that whenever you are taking a break from becoming an
astronaut, go ahead and discover other things that interest you. I enjoy
scuba diving and piloting planes. I love skydiving. Right now, my goal is to
receive certification and license for all three of them before I turn 18. This
way, I will achieve more skills; ones that I can build a whole career around.
Furthermore, I am looking at Cambridge or Florida Institute of Technology
for my undergraduate degree and wish to attain my master’s degree from
International Space University. And at last, I’d pursue a doctorate degree
from MIT. This is what I’ll be focused on right now. Yes, my sights are set
on Mars but that’s not the only thing I have my eyes set on.
As more and more years pass, we’ll all have many different kinds of space
jobs. Many of these space jobs haven’t been created yet. You have to make
sure that, if at any point in your life you don’t want to an astronaut, you can
still have a steady career.
The route to space exploration is not a one-way street. It could be
accomplished though many routes. It can even give you a way out,
whenever you want.
You have two choices before you. You can either take the military route to
become an astronaut or the civilian route. If you take the military route,
you’ll end up meeting various ex-astronauts who had stepped into space via
military. You’ll even be able to get guidance from them. This way, you’ll be
military personnel, but could also be an astronaut if you wish to pursue that.
The second route is the civilian route, the one I took. In this route, you’ll
have many more choices. I’d personally advice you to discover the subject
you love the most in school. The one you enjoy immensely, and love
reading about. Is there a subject you look forward to studying in school? Do
you love doing the homework assigned on it? Do you just read up on the
subject even when it’s not school work?
Once you figure out this subject, start breaking it down into different
careers that can come out of it. Once you do that, begin pursuing it. Since it
would be something you love, and have command on, attaining a
scholarship wouldn’t be a problem.
Make sure to build a solid career out of it. Feed your interests, and use that
to confirm your place in NASA’s astronaut program .

The Eighth Step to Becoming an Astronaut: Never

Give Up
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG AS THEY SOMETIMES WILL,
WHEN THE ROAD YOU'RE TRUDGING SEEMS ALL UP HILL,
WHEN THE FUNDS ARE LOW AND THE DEBTS ARE HIGH
AND YOU WANT TO SMILE, BUT YOU HAVE TO SIGH,
WHEN CARE IS PRESSING YOU DOWN A BIT,
REST IF YOU MUST, BUT DON'T YOU QUIT.
LIFE IS STRANGE WITH ITS TWISTS AND TURNS
AS EVERY ONE OF US SOMETIMES LEARNS
AND MANY A FAILURE COMES ABOUT
WHEN HE MIGHT HAVE WON HAD HE STUCK IT OUT;
DON'T GIVE UP THOUGH THE PACE SEEMS SLOW—
YOU MAY SUCCEED WITH ANOTHER BLOW.
SUCCESS IS FAILURE TURNED INSIDE OUT—
THE SILVER TINT OF THE CLOUDS OF DOUBT,
AND YOU NEVER CAN TELL JUST HOW CLOSE YOU ARE,
IT MAY BE NEAR WHEN IT SEEMS SO FAR;
SO STICK TO THE FIGHT WHEN YOU'RE HARDEST HIT—
IT'S WHEN THINGS SEEM WORST THAT YOU MUST NOT QUIT.

–John Greenleaf Whittier

Perhaps, the most important thing that you need to hold on to during your
journey of becoming an astronaut is the thought of never giving up.
It is completely okay if a career in space does not attract you anymore and
you leave it midway. That is one of the reasons why I urged you throughout
this book, to take it as a lifestyle, and always have a back-up plan.
But there are certain rules you need to understand from day one:
✓ Never give up because it looks hard
✓ Never give up because you don’t have money to pursue this
career
✓ Never give up because others say you cannot do it
✓ Never give up because it seems impossible
✓ And most importantly, never give up just because when you are
failing
Once you set your mind to something, there’s nothing in the world that can
stop you from achieving it. This is not a normal career choice with normal
struggles. Consider all the challenges you might face right now while
training.
One thing is for sure; the road to greatness is never easy. Pick up the life
history of a person you admire the most and you’d find struggle there.
Do not allow anyone to make you question your dreams, and surround
yourself with people who believe in you.
Ladies and gentlemen, that’s how you become an astronaut.
I hope, after reading this book, you get all or at least most of your questions
answered.
And I truly hope that all of you achieve the dreams, you have been fighting
for.
Perhaps, the next time we meet, it would be as fellow future astronauts.