Jobs are going at NASA for the next astronauts to set foot on the Moon.
It's been almost half a century since humans last ventured to our nearest celestial neighbour - but all that is about to change over the next few years, reports the Mirror.
NASA has revealed that it’s hiring new astronauts next month for future missions to the Moon.
Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, explained: “We’re celebrating our 20th year of continuous presence aboard the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit this year, and we’re on the verge of sending the first woman and next man to the Moon by 2024.
"For the handful of highly talented women and men we will hire to join our diverse astronaut corps, it’s an incredible time in human spaceflight to be an astronaut.
"We’re asking all eligible Americans if they have what it to takes to apply beginning March 2.”
Unsurprisingly, the job has several strict requirements.
Do you have what it takes to be a NASA astronaut?
To become a NASA astronaut you must have:
1. US citizenship
2. A master’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics
Alternatively, you could have:
- Two years of work toward a PhD program in a related science, technology, engineering or maths field
- A completed doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine degree
- Completion (or current enrollment that will result in completion by June 2021) of a nationally recognized test pilot school programme
3. At least two years of related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft
How to apply
If you tick all those boxes and want to apply, you can visit www.usajobs.gov on March 2.
As part of the application process, you'll be asked to take an online assessment - this should take around two hours.
What will successful applicants do?
After completing training, the new astronauts could live and work aboard the International Space Station.
They may also launch on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, docking the spacecraft at the Gateway in lunar orbit before travelling to the surface of the moon - something that NASA aims to do in 2024.
Finally, following the moon landing, the successful astronauts could travel to Mars in the mid-2030s.
