Who wants to be an astronaut? Everyone!
Being an astronaut looks fun, right?
(SHAMIL ZHUMATOV - REUTERS)
The space shuttle program may be dead, and it’s hard to see how the United States is getting to Mars anytime soon, but the number of people applying to become a NASA astronaut is at near-record levels:
More than 6,300 individuals applied to become a NASA astronaut between Nov. 15, 2011 and Jan. 27, the second highest number of applications ever received by the agency. After a thorough selection process, which includes interviews and medical examinations, nine to 15 people will be selected to become part of the 21st astronaut class.
That’s the highest number of applicants since 1978. Who knows? Maybe a lot of people were inspired by Newt Gingrich’s moon colony vision.
(Hat tip: NASA Watch)
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