slb@inuxh.UUCP (Stephen Browning) (12/29/83)
The following is now out of date, but is provided for those planning to apply in the future. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Announcement No. 3ACS-83 for Mission Specialist and Pilot Astronaut Candidates SPACE SHUTTLE DESCRIPTION The successful flights of the Space Shuttle have convincingly demonstrated that we have entered a new era of space transportation. In the 1980's routine operations and expanded experimental investigations in space will be commonplace. The Space Shuttle, its gross liftoff weight exceeding four million pounds, is launched like a rocket and maneuvers into Earth orbit where it performs its assigned missions lasting up to 30 days and then returns to Earth in a manner similar to that of the X-15 research vehicle. The reusable Shuttle spacecraft is then readied for another flight with new payloads and flight crew. The crew normally consists of four people - the commander, the pilot, and two mission specialists. On occasion, additional mission specialist or payload specialists may be assigned to bring the crew complement to seven people. The commander, the pilot, and the mission specialists are NASA astronauts; the payload specialists will be nominated by payload sponsors and will be responsible for the operation of specific payload equipment where their individual skills or expertise are needed. The Shuttle is capable of performing a variety of orbital missions including deployment and retrieval of satellites, service and refurbishment of existing satellites, and operation of specialized laboratories including astronomy, earth sciences, space processing, and manufacturing. These missions may also include supporting the development and servicing of a permanent space station. The Space Shuttle also provides a staging capability for using other rocket sources to inject satellites into higher orbits than can be achieved by the Shuttle itself. Potential users include both Government and private industries from the United States and abroad. ASTRONAUT CANDIDATE PROGRAM By this announcement, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to establish rosters from which mission specialist and pilot astronaut candidates are expected to be selected during 1984. Twelve new candidates are expected to be selected; six mission specialists and six pilots. The final numbers will depend on mission plans and operational needs. NASA plans to establish new rosters and select astronaut candidates on an annual basis. Applicants are being sought from both the military services and the general public, with separate rosters established for military and civilian candidates. All positions will be located at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and will involve a 1-year training and evaluation program. The period for submitting civilian applications under this announcement is OCTOBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 1983. No applications from civilians will be accepted after December 1, 1983. Each military service will establish its own closing date for applications. MISSION SPECIALIST ASTRONAUT Mission specialist astronauts, working with the commander and pilot, have overall responsibility for the coordination of Shuttle operations in the areas of crew activity planning, consumables usage, and other Shuttle activities affecting experiment operations. Thus, mission specialists are required to have a detailed knowledge of the Shuttle systems as well as the operational characteristics, mission requirements and objectives, and supporting systems and equipment for each of the experiments that will be conducted on their assigned mission. Mission specialists will participate in extravehicular activities, perform special payload handling or maintenance operations using a remote manipulator system, and assist in specific experiment operation at the discretion of the experiment sponsor. PILOT ASTRONAUT Space Shuttle pilot astronauts serve as both Shuttle commanders and pilots. During flight, the Shuttle commander has onboard responsibility for the space vehicle, crew, mission success, and safety of flight. The Shuttle pilot assists the commander in controlling and operating the Shuttle. In addition, Shuttle pilots may deploy and retrieve payloads using a remote manipulator system, participate in extravehicular activities, and support specific payload operations where appropriate. GENERAL CANDIDATE INFORMATION Selected applicants will join the Johnson Space Center and be assigned to the Astronaut Office. They will undergo a 1-year training and evaluation period during which they will be placed in responsible technical or scientific positions allowing them to contribute substantially to the Shuttle Program and continue to work in their scientific or technical fields, where feasible, while under evaluation. They will also participate in the basic astronaut training program which is designed to develop knowledge and skills required for formal mission training upon selection for flight assignments. Pilot astronaut candidates will be required to maintain proficiency in NASA aircraft during their candidate period. Applicants should be aware that selection as an astronaut candidate does not ensure selection as an astronaut. Final selection as an astronaut will depend upon satisfactory completion of the 1-year training and evaluation period. Civilian candidates who successfully complete the training and evaluation period and are selected as astronauts will become permanent Federal employees and will be expected to serve NASA as an astronaut for a minimum period of five years. Civilian candidates not selected as astronauts may be placed in other positions within NASA depending upon Agency requirements and manpower constraints at the time. Successful military candidates will be detailed to NASA for a time period established by NASA/Department of Defense (DOD) Memorandum of Understanding. The most recent Memorandum of Understanding specifies a 7-year tour of duty. NASA has an affirmative action program goal of having qualified minorities and women among the newly- selected astronaut candidates. Therefore, women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply. QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANTS (Both Military and Civilian) Mission Specialist Astronaut Candidate Program Applicants MUST meet the following minimum qualification requirements. All requirements must be met by the deadline of receiving applications (December 1, 1983, for civilian applicants). 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. Degree must be supplemented by at least 3 years of related professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for all or part of the experience requirement (master's degree = 1 year, PhD degree = 3 years). Quality of academic preparation is important. 2. Ability to pass NASA Class II space flight physical (similar to military and civilian flight physicals) to include the following specific standards: Distant visual acuity: 20/100 or better uncorrected; correctable to 20/20, each eye. Hearing loss not to exceed: Frequency (HZ) 500 1000 2000 Loss (db) Better ear 30 25 25 Worse ear 35 30 30 per ISO, 1964 Standard Blood Pressure: Preponderant systolic not to exceed 140, nor diastolic to exceed 90 mm Hg, measured in a sitting position. 3. Applicant height between 60 and 76 inches. Pilot Astronaut Candidate Program Applicants MUST meet the following minimum qualification requirements. All requirements must be met by the deadline for receiving applications (December 1, 1983, for civilian applicants). 1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. An advanced degree or equivalent experience is desired. Quality of academic preparation is important. 2. At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in high performance jet aircraft (an aircraft having at least 3000 pounds of thrust per engine). Flight test experience is highly desirable. 3. Ability to pass NASA Class I space flight physical (similar to military and civilian flight physicals) to include the following specific standard: Distant visual acuity: 20/50 or better uncorrected; correctable to 20/20 each eye. Hearing loss not to exceed: Frequency (HZ) 500 1000 2000 Loss (db) 30 25 25 per ISO, 1964 Standard Blood Pressure: Preponderant systolic not to exceed 140, nor diastolic to exceed 90 mm Hg, measured in a sitting position. 4. Applicant height between 64 and 76 inches. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Applicants for the Astronaut Candidate Program must meet the basic education requirements for NASA engineering and scientific positions, specifically successful completion of a standard professional curriculum in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, biological or physical science, or mathematics. The following degree fields which may be related to engineering and the sciences are not considered qualifying: - Degrees in Technology; i.e., Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc. - Degrees in Psychology (except Clinical, Physiological, or Experimental Psychology, which are considered qualifying). - Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields. CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS Current regulations require that preference for appointment to Astronaut Candidate positions be given to U.S. citizens when there is an adequate source of well qualified citizens available. NASA anticipates that there will be an adequate source of well qualified U.S. citizens. PAY AND BENEFITS Salaries for civilian candidates will be based on the General Schedule pay scale of the Federal Government, generally ranging from grades GS-11 through GS-14. Candidates will be compensated in accordance with prevailing Federal pay scales based on their individual academic achievements and experience. Other benefits include vacation and sick leave and participation in the Federal Government retirement, group health, and life insurance plans. Selected military candidates will be detailed to the Johnson Space Center but will remain in an active military status for pay, benefits, leave, and other similar military matters. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Civilian Application Procedure Civilian applications for appointment to astronaut candidate positions will be accepted beginning October 1, 1983, and must be received at the Johnson Space Center or postmarked no later than December 1, 1983. The necessary application materials may be obtained by completing the form included in this pamphlet and returning it to the address indicated. A complete college transcript of grades must be included when submitting the application forms. After preliminary screening, additional information may be requested from applicants, and references and supervisors may be contacted. Applicants who previously applied must submit new applications if they wish to be considered. Active-Duty Military Application Procedures Active-duty military personnel must submit applications through their respective military service and not directly to NASA, using procedures which will be disseminated by their service. Application packages may be obtained from NASA by completing the form included in this pamphlet; however, the application must be submitted to the appropriate address indicated below. For information on military requirements or deadlines, or to submit your application, please refer to the appropriate military point-of-contact below: Air Force Air Force Military Personnel Center Attn: MPCRPF2 Randolph AFB, TX 78150 Army Commander Military Personnel Center Attn: DAPC-OPA-V 200 Stovall Street Alexandria, VA 22332 Marine Corps Commandant Marine Corps Attn: Code MMOA3 Washington, DC 20380 Navy Commander Naval Military Personnel Command Navy Department Attn: NMPC 446B Washington, DC 20370 ... Final Selection Personal interviews and thorough medical evaluations will be required for both civilian and military applicants under final consideration. Final selection will be announced by May 1984, and all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome. Successful applicants will be asked to report to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, on a date to be established. Selection rosters established through this process will be valid for a period of 1 year following their establishment and may be used for selection of additional Astronaut Candidates during that time should the need arise. REQUEST FOR APPLICATION PACKAGE Send name and address to: Astronaut Candidate Program Mail Code AHX NASA-Johnson Space Center Houston, TX 77058