Is there life on Mars? How many galaxies are there in the universe? Can we grow potatoes on the moon? Do you know the answers to these questions? Or would you like to find them out yourself? It is possible to do so with ambition, determination, and perseverance also before that, you must also know what a career in space exploration entails and we have put together pointers on how to become an astronaut and listed some career opportunities in space sciences.
What Do Astronauts Do?
The term astronaut has its origins in ancient Greek – ástron, meaning star, and naútēs, meaning sailor as well as the words are combined to describe a crew member of spacecraft that travel beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. Now, what do astronauts do? To begin with, they have an important role to play in scientific research, also Astronauts work with fellow scientists and engineers from all over the world to build spacecraft and devices that help them explore environments in the universe and They observe and learn about the Earth and carry out experiments and research that save lives back on Earth.
When not flying in space on a mission, they support other astronauts and their projects also They take up roles that involve designing tools for missions, training the crew, etc.
Astronauts typically spend years training for a mission, including six months aboard the International Space Station, also Astronauts need plenty of time to readjust and recover from missions as well, and To become an astronaut, a person must be tenacious, resilient, and a team player and Now, these are soft skills also Astronauts need to be experts in their field of study with the help of training and practice.
They need to have experience in flying aircraft and must pass a series of physical examinations – including a swim test and scuba certification the training and evaluation period for astronauts can last for about two years, So Intensive training is required because astronauts must undertake spacewalks, which are one of the riskier activities on a mission.
How To Become An Astronaut?
You can start by gaining extensive knowledge of subjects such as Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Aeronautics, Geology, and Electrical Engineering, also getting a Ph.D. in one of these subjects will give you the necessary qualifications to chart out a career in space exploration.
To become an astronaut, you need to meet the technical and physical requirements, and These requirements vary depending on the country, and to become an astronaut in India, the following criteria have to be met.
Be a citizen of India
Have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in one of the following subjects – Computer Science Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, or Biology.
Have an aggregate score of 65% or more.
A Master’s degree/Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or any of the Sciences will give you an advantage.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), meets the following crucial requirements.
Satisfactory medical history
Perfect visual acuity
Good fitness levels
No history of substance abuse
Good personality traits For becoming an astronaut at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), then the following conditions apply.
Be an American citizen
Have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physical/Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Biology, Mathematics, etc.
Have an aggregate score of 65% or more
3 years of professional experience or 1000 hours of pilot experience
You can also explore opportunities at SpaceX if you can meet the technical and physical requirements mentioned above for ISRO and NASA Alternatively, you can also explore the following organizations for lucrative career opportunities in India.
1. Défense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
2. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
3. Aerospace Industry
4. National Aeronautical Laboratories (NAL)
There are many other things organizations such as the Canadian, European, and Japanese Space Agencies also recruit astronauts and One can also apply for employment in various space research laboratories, spacecraft manufacturing firms, or observatories.
6 Must-Have Skills If You Want A Career In Space
Amazingly, working in space is all about stepping out of your comfort zone for the greater good of humanity in terms of scientific research and development.
The following skills will help you shine in your space career.
1. Proficiency in English and/or other languages
2. Technical skills
3. Ability to multitask
4. Patience & resilience
5. Work under pressure and in emergencies
6. Adaptability
Top 8 Career Opportunities to Explore In Space
When we think of job roles in space, the first thing that comes to mind is an astronaut and That is because they are the most well-known space workers, So It is important to note that space missions require huge teams of workers with a variety of technical skills for them to be successful.
Studying the effects of gravity on humans, building powerful telescopes, and simplifying scientific discoveries for people are some of the responsibilities of working in space.
Here’s a list of roles that people can take up in space.
Astronomers: Observe celestial objects – including planets and galaxies – using space-based equipment or telescopes, also they collect data, observe astronomical phenomena and understand the universe better.
Atmospheric Scientists: Analyse weather data and prepare forecast reports using weather balloons, radar systems, satellite images, etc They also predict phenomena such as auroras.
Aerospace Engineers: Design, build, and test missiles and spacecraft, and they take into consideration the environmental challenges and create tools and vehicles that make space exploration possible.
Mechanical Engineers: Team up with other technicians and engineers to build products – sensors, engines, and mechanical systems – which support space machines.
Avionics Technicians: Focus on navigation and communication aspects of the spacecraft. They also test and install instruments, repair malfunctioning parts: and keep a record of the systems for future use.
Photographers: Capture pictures of space during missions. This includes keeping a record of the discoveries made during space exploration and keeping project records at all stages of the mission.
Technical Writers: They also Work with scientists to rewrite complex information in simple terms, so that the audience can easily understand the scientific discoveries better.
Conclusion
A career in space sciences is rewarding but also challenging, also It involves being part of a team on risky missions that push the boundaries of science and technology as well as The human body undergoes significant changes in space and this adds to the stress of the job, also At times, minor mistakes could lead to the loss of lives and money. In addition, scientists and engineers must stay on top of the innovation game to do well in their
chosen field of work.
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