kth@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Raymond Seibert) (10/20/89)
I am majoring in Computer Science and have a special ambition. I would like very much to go into outer space. Is this just a "spacy" ambition? Or do I actually have a slight chance? Raymond Seibert kth@sage.cc.purdue.edu
psrc@pegasus.ATT.COM (Paul S. R. Chisholm) (10/20/89)
In article <3256@sage.cc.purdue.edu>, kth@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Raymond Seibert) writes: > I am majoring in Computer Science and have a special ambition. I would > like very much to go into outer space. Is this just a "spacy" ambition? > Or do I actually have a slight chance? The problem with being a computer scientist is that it's far cheaper to send up your product and leave *you* behind. If you really want to go into orbit, you need to do one of the following things: 1) Get a good, broad background in engineering and the hard sciences, and a Ph.D. with a specialization in something applicable (metallurgy, meteorology, maybe zoology or botany; maybe astronomy?) with a *strong* experimental emphasis; some field that requires a lot of tinkering. (A degree in physics will probably help here, but not many physics experiments are done in orbit.) Get a pilot's license in your spare time. Hone your public speaking skills. Get in top physical shape. Get married, keep your hair short, be a nice guy. Maybe serve in the armed forces for a while. Then get a job with NASA, and apply to be a mission specialist; or get a job with Rockwell or GE Astro or some such company, (I would have included J&J in the list, but they're out of the picture), and get involved in some project that flies a shuttle cargo with a mission specialist, and convince them you're the man or woman for the job. And bear in mind that that your odds are sill lousy. 2) Stay in computer science, become a billionaire, pass the NASA physical, and tell the Soviets you'll pay them ten million bucks (1987 dollars, not inflated to whatever it'll be then) to ride as a passenger. > Raymond Seibert, kth@sage.cc.purdue.edu Paul S. R. Chisholm, AT&T Bell Laboratories att!pegasus!psrc, psrc@pegasus.att.com, AT&T Mail !psrchisholm I'm not speaking for the company, I'm just speaking my mind.
petej@phred.UUCP (Pete Jarvis) (10/24/89)
In article <3256@sage.cc.purdue.edu> kth@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Raymond Seibert) writes: > >like very much to go into outer space. Is this just a "spacy" ambition? >Or do I actually have a slight chance? > You have as much chance as anyone else does who does what it takes to be able to be eligible to be selected by NASA. Peter Jarvis...
davidsen@crdos1.crd.ge.COM (Wm E Davidsen Jr) (10/25/89)
Hard row to hoe. I have a friend who has the same ambition. She's doing her Phd and is an AF C130 pilot. That will give her the minimum qualifications to be remotely considered. If you can't qualify to fly for the armed services, or are not willing to dedicate 15 years of your life to doing it, or can't cut it as a Phd, you probablywon't make the first cut. I sometimes think the main things these qualifications prove is determination... -- bill davidsen (davidsen@crdos1.crd.GE.COM -or- uunet!crdgw1!crdos1!davidsen) "The world is filled with fools. They blindly follow their so-called 'reason' in the face of the church and common sense. Any fool can see that the world is flat!" - anon
wmccain@x102a.harris-atd.com (mccain wb 17021) (11/08/89)
In reference to the recent discussions of how to get into space, how would one actually go about applying? Is there some toll free number at NASA I could call to get an application sent to me, or is the process itself a closely held secret? I would appreciate hearing what anyone knows on the subject. Bruce McCain
colwell@mfci.UUCP (Robert Colwell) (11/08/89)
In article <2857@trantor.harris-atd.com> wmccain@x102a.harris-atd.com (mccain wb 17021) writes: >In reference to the recent discussions of how to get into space, how would >one actually go about applying? Is there some toll free number at NASA I >could call to get an application sent to me, or is the process itself a >closely held secret? I would appreciate hearing what anyone knows on the >subject. I quote: The application package may be obtained by writing to NASA, Johnson Space Center Astronaut Selection Office Attn: AHX Houston, TX 77058 Bob Colwell ..!uunet!mfci!colwell Multiflow Computer or colwell@multiflow.com 31 Business Park Dr. Branford, CT 06405 203-488-6090
phil@delta.eecs.nwu.edu (William LeFebvre) (11/08/89)
In article <2857@trantor.harris-atd.com> wmccain@x102a.harris-atd.com (mccain wb 17021) writes: >In reference to the recent discussions of how to get into space, how would >one actually go about applying? Apply for what? There is a special procedure (and a special set of requirements) for applying to be an astronaut. For any other space-related job, it's pretty much the same as applying for any other type of job: send the company a cover letter and your resume. Remember: working directly for NASA means working for the gonvernment, which means taking and passing the civil servant exam (or at least, so I am led to believe). Also, being a full-time astronaut means working for NASA, therefore.... William LeFebvre Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Northwestern University <phil@eecs.nwu.edu>
shafer@elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov (Mary Shafer) (11/09/89)
In article <1531@accuvax.nwu.edu> phil@delta.eecs.nwu.edu (William LeFebvre) writes:
Remember: working directly for NASA means working for the gonvernment,
which means taking and passing the civil servant exam (or at least, so
I am led to believe). Also, being a full-time astronaut means working
for NASA, therefore....
I believe that the exam doesn't apply to technical jobs, but rather to
"general" positions--at any rate, NASA engineers and programmers don't
take it.
Actually, I think that the civil service exam is no longer used any where,
but I could be wrong.
Also, military astronauts don't work _for_ NASA, they work _at_ NASA.
--
Mary Shafer shafer@elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov ames!elxsi.dfrf.nasa.gov!shafer
NASA Ames-Dryden Flight Research Facility, Edwards, CA
Of course I don't speak for NASAingham@hydra.unm.edu (Kenneth Ingham) (11/10/89)
Many people have talked about going to work for NASA. I mailed this advice to ome person, but there was more discussion so I figured I'd post it. Here's one way, the way I did it for a while (I doubt that this would work to become an anstronaut): Be a co-op student. I spent two semesters working at NASA Ames Research Center. This could have turned into a real job upon graduation (why it didn't is my fault). As a coop student, you are still listed as a full time student at your school, but taking 0 hours. You work full time for the employer, earning a modest (I was a GS-5) salary. There was no civil service exam (is there anyway for NASA?). I applied at several NASA centers, but the offer from Ames looked the most interesting. I heartily recommend this to all students. I'm glad I did it. I'll be glad to answer further questions to the best of my knowledge, although your school's coop coordinator would be a better contact for everything except what it was like to work at Ames in 1981 and 1982. Kenneth Ingham Computer and Information Resources and Technology ingham@ariel.unm.edu University of New Mexico 505-277-8045 Albuquerque, NM 87131