Jan 23 2012
From The Space Library
RELEASE: 12-024 ASTRONAUT APPLICATION DEADLINE APPROACHING
HOUSTON -- Individuals interested in becoming America's future space explorers have until Friday to submit their applications. The deadline to apply for NASA's next astronaut class is Jan. 27. The agency typically receives as many as 3,500 applicants for each astronaut class. Thus far, NASA has received more than 3,000 applications since November for this class. "We are excited about the response we have received, and we want to encourage anyone contemplating this dynamic and exciting career to apply," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office. "We are entering a new phase in human spaceflight with amazing opportunities to live and work in space. We want the best, the brightest and the most talented mix of professionals to join our team." Those interested in applying for the astronaut corps can submit their applications through the federal government's USAJobs.gov website. Qualifications include a bachelor's degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience. Educators teaching kindergarten through 12th grade also are encouraged to apply. NASA expects to announce the final selections in 2013 with initial training to begin that summer.
MEDIA ADVISORY: M12-013 VIRGINIA STUDENTS TO SPEAK LIVE WITH SPACE STATION ASTRONAUTS
WASHINGTON -- Students gathered at The University of Virginia College at Wise will speak with Expedition 30 Commander Dan Burbank and Flight Engineer Don Pettit aboard the International Space Station at 9:25 a.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 26. Media representatives are invited to attend. Approximately 2,500 students from southwestern Virginia will ask questions about life, work and research aboard the space station. NASA Associate Administrator for Education and former astronaut Leland Melvin will attend, and Gov. Robert McDonnell and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner will connect virtually with the event. Students from Wise County Public Schools will participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning activities before and after the event. A temporary space museum set up at the university Jan. 25 - 26 will display a moon rock, a spacesuit like those worn by Apollo astronauts and an inflatable replica of NASA's Curiosity rover currently en route to the Red Planet. This in-flight education downlink is one in a series with educational organizations in the United States and abroad to improve STEM teaching and learning. It is an integral component of NASA's Teaching From Space program, which promotes learning opportunities and builds partnerships with the education community using the unique environment of space and NASA's human spaceflight program.
