HOME	Becoming an astronaut

Every two years, NASA must choose new members of the astronaut corps. Thousands of people from all over the world apply to become NASA astronauts, but only about twenty are chosen. In order to become an astronaut, a person must work well with people, be able to communicate well, be eager to do the job, have work experience, have good grades, and have a university degree.

A Canadian woman astronaut training

Survival training in Russia

Once selected to join the astronaut corps, training begins at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Astronauts practice all of the jobs they will need to know during their space mission. They practice these jobs many, many times.   Some astronauts learn to drive the Space Shuttle. Some are trained to perform jobs like science experiments or spacewalk

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