Cool Videos

[creedon]

Let's not forget Chuck Yeager; HE'S the guy that SHOULD have been the First American in orbit!

[pkd_lives]

quote:Originally posted by bazoukas:
For real. Whats a good way to become an Astronaut?

Ironically enough. Join the Navy. Most astronauts fly Navy birds first. I tried to do this. But the F**king Navy, and the airforce refused me - physical reasons, sent me off the rails for a few years, don't get too hyped - cos I failed and I almost destroyed my life in reaction.
 
Get a scientific qualification, look at all the Astronauts, by the time they went up they were qualified to the hilt. Anything Engineering, or science based will give you an ample boost. Good ones may be Geology, Chemistry, physics will be definite bonus, electronic engineering would also give you a good start.

Another common factor is that the astronaut is something they hope will happen, but they keep their sights on the here and now, the next bird, the next qualification. Always plugging away to fill an area where they lack knowledge.

Good luck.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: pkd ]

[voidmain]

Don't forget Aeronuatical Engineering. I don't know the figures but I would guess that would be a common one in the astronaut bio.

And even though I came from an Air Force background I can see how the Navy guys might have an advantage. I mean taking off and landing on a carrier has to give some bonus points.  Hell, anyone can land a plane on a runway that doesn't move, is 300' wide and 12,000' long (over two miles).

I was just a mechanic but I flew Cessnas in the aero club on the base. When I landed on our runway I could land and stop within the length of the white stripes that are designated as the touch-down target for the big planes. And I would turn off on the first taxiway at the beginning of the runway. I could have done about 10 touch and goes before reaching the end of the runway.  

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: void main ]

[pkd_lives]

Yeah, that little nugget still gets me thinking. But It's historical. The Airforce intervention in NASA only really happened when Nixon decided to fuck everything up and gave the USAF remit to use space as a war zone, NASA was originally based around Navy research, who kind of invited the USAF on board (as a peace keeping deal between the services)

And Chuck Yeager got a raw deal.

[ October 11, 2002: Message edited by: pkd ]