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NASA receives record number of applications for astronaut

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<ul><li style="text-align: justify;">NASA receives its most number of applications for astronaut to date</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Over 18,000 applicants sent their resumes to the space agency</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Only 8 to 14 individuals will be selected to train as a NASA astronaut</li> </ul>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States has received a record-breaking number of applications from those interested to become an astronaut. The US space agency said over 18,300 people sent out their resumes in the hopes of being part of the space program. According to NASA, the applications they have received so far for its 2017 class is more than three times than the ones they collected during the last call for applications in 2012. The unprecedented turnout also shattered the previous record set in 1978 when over 7,000 individuals expressed their interest in joining the agency as astronauts. This was less than a decade since man made the historic landing on the moon. “It’s not at all surprising to me that so many Americans from diverse backgrounds want to personally contribute to blazing the trail on our journey to Mars. A few exceptionally talented men and women will become the astronauts chosen in this group who will once again launch to space from U.S. soil on American-made spacecraft,” explained  NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden, who is a former astronaut himself, in a <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/record-number-of-americans-apply-to-beanastronaut-at-nasa">statement</a>. Applications opened on December 14 and lasted for a little over a month before officially closing just this February. After collecting all the applicants’ credentials, the agency’s Astronaut Selection Board will begin the 18-month long process reviewing the qualifications of potential candidates before narrowing down the field to about eight to 14 individuals who will comprise the next class of NASA astronauts. “We have our work cut out for us with this many applications. But it’s heartening to know so many people recognize what a great opportunity this is to be part of NASA’s exciting mission. I look forward to meeting the men and women talented enough to rise to the top of what is always a pool of incredible applicants,” said Brian Kelly; director of Flight Operations at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Final announcements will be made sometime in mid-2017. Successful applicants will then begin their two years of initial training that will cover spacecraft systems, spacewalking skills and teamwork, Russian language, and other requisite skills. <a href="http://kickerdaily.com/nasa-receives-record-number-of-applications-for-astronaut/" rel="nofollow">Kicker Daily News</a>

NASA receives its most number of applications for astronaut to date Over 18,000 applicants sent their resumes to the space agency Only 8 to ...