( Five academic subjects that can launch your

career in space travel. )

Electrical engineering

Electrical engineering students learn how to build, understand, and repair electronics

and electrical systems. And given that space shuttles rely on this technology, opting

for an undergraduate course in electrical engineering is an excellent place to start

your quest to become an astronaut.

Engineers make up a large proportion of astronauts and for very good reasons.

Engineers are designers, innovators, and, most importantly, problem solvers. They

trained to find practical solutions to real life issues. And when you're circling through

space at 17,500 miles per hour, you'll definitely want a few of these guys on your

team.

One person with the right stuff was Buzz Aldrin. Famous for being one of the first men

to work on the moon, Aldrin also had a graduate degree in engineering. After returning

from the first walk on the Moon, Aldrin noticed a broken switch on the lunar lander -

unless it was fixed, the crew weren't going anywhere. Then, in a moment of

inspiration, Aldrin realized he could jam a non-conductive felt-tip pen into the broken

switch to push the contacts together and get them home.

Space travel is always at the cutting edge of technology and innovation, and

astronauts play a vital part in testing, evaluating and improving the systems they work

with. Although you will learn plenty during your undergraduate studies, it's unlikely to

be enough time to build up the knowledge and expertise needed to become an

improve your chances of reaching the stars.

Astrophysics

A degree in astrophysics is an ideal starting point for would-be astronauts.

Astrophysics is a broad subject that combines physics, chemistry, math, and

cosmology. It also asks some of the biggest questions of all. According to the NASA

website, astrophysics aims to discover "how the universe works, and explore how it

began and evolved."

Astrophysics is a complex field of study. Top students must be capable of a high-level

of abstract reasoning and need the ability to grasp advanced mathematical and

scientific concepts, including quantum mechanics, field theory, and vector calculus.

Paul Sutter is an astrophysicist at The Ohio State University and the chief scientist at

COSI science center. He writes, "It turns out that nature does not reveal its secrets

willingly or easily. It takes countless hours of work by armies of dedicated

professionals to understand the deepest workings of our cosmos. [It is] full of

complicated theories, mountains of data to painstakingly analyze, and whiteboards full

of tedious calculations."

But isn't all about your hard skills. Astrophysicists are trying to unravel some of the

greatest mysteries ever known. As such, the best practitioners are naturally curious

people who are willing to explore every possible option, as well as coming up with a

few that have never been considered before. Blackholes, string theory, and the fabric

of space/time were all founded upon mathematical principles, but they could only be

truly conceptualized through the human imagination.

After that comes graduate school, which can take up to eight years - when that's

done, you will be ready to start your doctorate.

Biochemistry

Biochemistry is the study of chemical changes as they relate to living organisms. Its

research is primarily lab-based and uses a combination of chemistry and biology to

gain a better understanding of how cells communicate and develop. Biochemistry also

explores how different environments and pressures affect the human body, making it

a valuable field of study for aspiring astronauts.

Peggy Whitson is a famous American astronaut with a PhD in biochemistry. During

her work at the Johnson Space Center, Whitson focused on the formation of kidney

stones during space travel. She discovered that astronauts are more likely to develop

kidney stones in space due to excess calcium and phosphate present in the urine,

which is caused by the microgravity bone demineralization process. She then

developed a potassium citrate therapy which is still used today.

One of the most critical issues for the wellbeing of astronauts is their nutritional

requirements. Weightlessness disrupts many physiological processes including

absorption, metabolism, and excretion. For example, astronauts don't need as much

iron in their diet. The reduced need for iron is a result of the decreased production of

blood cells. In fact, consuming too much iron could build up toxicity, leading to

headaches, weight loss, nausea, and breathing difficulties. This is just one small

example of biochemists are constantly evaluating physiological changes and adapting

accordingly.
We're also nearing an exciting new era of space travel -- space tourism. Richard

Branson's Virgin Galactic has already received about $80m in deposits from future

astronauts. And with rivals like SpaceX and Blue Origin hot on their heels, it won't be

too long before more people are going into orbit than ever before. The increasing

number of space tourists will make biochemistry even more critical: “the more we put

people into space, the more biological concerns we will have.”

Aeronautics

A large number of astronauts began their career as commercial or military pilots. At

one point, fighter pilot experience was an essential requirement for any potential

astronaut and having served is still a big plus for applicants. However, even if you

have no practical flight experience, understanding the science of air travel is an

excellent stepping stone towards becoming an astronaut.

Students start by learning the fundamentals of flight science, including aerodynamics,

propulsion theory, and materials and structures. From there, they will learn how to

design, build, and test the next generations of aircraft.

Students will require a working understanding of physics and mathematics, and the

need for those with a computer programming background is always increasing.

Students must be prepared to make a long-term commitment to their learning.

Aerospace aeronautics is continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible,

meaning it selects for the most dedicated and talented graduates. Nearly three-

quarters of astronauts have a master's degree, the majority of which in aerospace

engineering.

Geology
Geology is concerned with the physical structure and substance of the earth and the

processes which have shaped its development. It’s also concerned with the study of

other terrestrial planets and natural satellites, such as moons and asteroids.

One of the most famous geologists is Harrison Schmitt, one of only twelve people to

have walked on the moon. Schmitt was part of the 1972 Appollo 17 mission. During

one moonwalk, Schmitt collected a sample of moon rock which became known as

Troctolite 76535. Weighing less than 156 grams and only 5cm in length, this small

rock is considered to be the most interesting sample returned from the Moon.

Geologists used it for thermochronological calculations which revealed much about

the history of the Moon, including one theory that it once had an active magnetic field.

Geologists are also a crucial part of the Mars Exploration Program and its attempts to

account for the differences and similarities between the red planet and our own. This

includes the study of volcanoes, tectonics, cratering, and the massive storms that

have shaped the planet's terrain.

IN 2016, SpaceX announced its vision to begin the colonization of Mars. Twelve

months earlier, NASA reaffirmed its goal of sending humans to Mars by the year

2030. It is hard to tell who will get there first, but whatever team finally lands will

definitely contain a few geology experts.

In 2017, NASA accepted just 12 people from more than 18,353 applicants, which

makes the acceptance rate 0.065 percent -- less than one in 1,500. So while the right

academic qualifications are essential, what else do you need to become an

astronaut?
Firstly, there are some physical requirements. These are 20/20 vision (either naturally

or with corrective lenses); blood pressure not more than 140/90 in a sitting position;

and a height of between 62 and 75 inches.

You will need to be in excellent physical and psychological shape. Most importantly,

you will require a unique set of character traits that separate you from all the other

smart and ambitious applicants. The qualities that NASA looks for include flexibility,

focus, group work skills, a love of learning, and the ability to make the right decisions

under extreme pressure.

So it's tough to become an astronaut. But the good news is that there are several

fascinating subjects you can study which can help you, quite literally, reach for the

stars!

( AVERAGE SALARY )
The average salary for an astronaut is MYR 84,000 per month.

( WHAT DOES AN ASTRONAUT DO? )

the person in charge who ultimately makes the most important decisions on a space

mission. The pilot works closely alongside the commander. Other astronauts take on

the role of mission specialist, in which they utilize special skills or a specific area of

knowledge. Astronauts also perform many mundane tasks to keep space stations

running. The crew cleans and checks equipment and repairs things that have broken.

They spend two hours every day exercising, too, in order to keep up with the physical

demands of the job.

There's no "astronaut" major in college. The people NASA chooses to become astronauts aren't

necessarily those who have dedicated their lives to becoming space explorers. Instead, they're

experts in math and science who meet all of NASA's qualifications.

Aspiring astronauts must have a master's degree in addition to at least two years of relevant

professional experience. Alternatively, they may complete at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-

command time on a jet aircraft.

In addition to meeting all physical requirements, aspiring astronauts must have a

master’s degree and at least two years of relevant work experience.

Then comes the hard part. Astronauts must pass the NASA long-duration flight astronaut

physical. If you're under 5 feet, 2 inches, or over 6 feet, 3 inches, you're out of luck. Candidates

need 20/20 vision, though they may use corrective lenses. Their blood pressure also cannot

exceed 140/90 when sitting down.

When it comes to applying for the job, work on your resume. Make sure it's concise and free of

errors. NASA wants to know that its astronauts pay attention to small details, a critical skill

needed for scientists.

Astronaut? )

Applicants must possess both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a relevant STEM

field, such as engineering, biology, physical science, computer science, or math. NASA also

considers astronauts who are at least two years into a doctoral program, who have a medical

doctoral degree, or who have completed a test pilot school program.

All in all, astronauts usually spend at least six years in postsecondary schooling — sometimes

more if they have a doctorate.

( What Are STEM Fields? )

STEM comprises the following major areas of study:

● Natural, physical, and life sciences (sometimes including medicine, sometimes not)

● Computer, electronics, and other technology-related disciplines

● All types of engineering

( How Long Does It Take to Become an Astronaut? )

On top of the six years of schooling and two years of professional experience, astronauts must

complete two years of mandatory basic training. All of this adds up to about a decade of

preparation.

After that, astronauts may need to wait months or years before they can even embark on their

first space mission. Before leaving Earth, astronauts must finish advanced mission training,

which further equips them for space exploration.