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NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Becoming an astronaut 
Name: Melissa Alvin, Eileen Navarro, Jessica Farano.
Status: N/A
Age: 13
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999
Question:
How long does it take to become an astronaut? Do you have to go to Space Camp?

Replies:
There are different kinds of astronauts with different types of training (and Space Camp is REALLY FUN, I've done it). All astronauts generally have advanced degrees, at least a Masters, so that means typically 6 years of college. Pilots have to be certified jet pilots and undergo the most astronaut training, 2 years. Mission specialists are professional astronauts who perform science missions. Payload specialists can be ANYONE, they are experts for a particular payload and frequently are scientists or engineers from industry. Loren Acton from Lockheed (where I work) was a payload specialist. They have to undergo one year of training. If you really want to be an astronaut, all that schooling and training should be FUN for you.

--- Jade


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