What would DQ an astronaut

[rpayne88]

I strongly doubt that I will ever be competing for a job as an astronaut. This is a hypothetical thread for what would disqualify (DQ) an individual.

I personally think I would be DQed for Celiac Disease. If that didn't somehow DQ me, than maybe asthma or 20/40 vision in one eye.

So, is there a list anywhere for what would DQ someone?

[Tex_NL]

No idea if there's any public list but I think it's safe to assume the requirements are even more demanding than any military/law enforcement job. If even the military won't have you I doubt any space agency will.

[Nibb31]

I think the list is rather what would qualify you. It's a highly selective process for a very small number of positions, so to qualify as an astronaut, you really just have to be the best candidate among hundreds of other really really smart people.

It also depends on the organization. NASA doesn't necessarily have the same criteria as ESA or other space agencies.

[Kryten]

If you want NASA's requirements specifically, they should be here somewhere. The educational requirements are easy enough to find, but I haven't yet come across anything but a few criteria of the 'NASA flight physical' you have to pass.

[Moar Boosters]

Well the russians will fly you into space if you've got a spare $70million.

As long as you're reasonably healthy and pass all the training exams they'll be willing to take you up as human cargo.

If you want to actually push buttons and stuff I imagine you'd have to be in pretty much perfect health. Like other have said, the competition is so fierce.

[falofonos]

Well the russians will fly you into space if you've got a spare $70million.

I think Richard Garriot paid $25 million but he was paying his own space tourist company.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronaut_training

Not only physical considerations, most modern astronaut selection programs focus on psychological factors also.

Attention to detail in repetitive mind numbingly dull tasks, ability to calmly and professionally deal with people, the ability to follow directions and take leadership where necessary without creating conflict.

[tavert]

There are also height and I believe weight requirements (kind of old, but here's one source on height requirements http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/space/2007-04-02-astronaut-size_N.htm). A few years back I met a nice woman at an alumni event who worked for NASA, and was pretty close to being in one of the earliest groups of female NASA astronauts, except at about 6 feet tall she was way outside the initial height/weight requirements they had set for women.

[Nuke]

im slightly schizophrenic, so i doubt il be allowed on a space craft. they dont even let me drive.

[K^2]

Last I checked, the only qualification for a U.S.M.C pilot I didn't make was age by about a year. Eye sight is just barely passing, but passing still. I don't think there is any specific reason to disqualify me from a space mission. On the other hand, there are people way better qualified and more fit, so I doubt I'd have a snow ball's chance of actually making into a program.

[DaveofDefeat]

I flew a plane once, does that count?

[K^2]

I flew a plane once, does that count?

Depends. What kind of a plane?

[PakledHostage]

On the other hand, there are people way better qualified and more fit, so I doubt I'd have a snow ball's chance of actually making into a program.

The Canadian Space Agency put a job ad for astronauts in the paper a few years ago. I too wouldn't have had a snow ball's chance in heck of being selected, but I applied anyway. I was hoping that I'd get a rejection letter on CSA letterhead so I could frame it. I made it through a couple of rounds before they sent me a very politely worded email telling me that they weren't interested. I didn't make it as far as an interview and I didn't get a rejection letter to frame. Somehow the email just wasn't worth framing...

[DonLorenzo]

For me the easiest disqualifier would be size. I'm too tall (about 197cm), at least some mars-mission-simulation I wanted to sign up for had the height limit at something like 180cm. I suppose it makes sense, but that was a bit of a downer

[Kilmeister]

Size For me too....

Oh and lack of any flying experience...

or science background,

or good eyesight,

too old,

and

SQUIRREL!!!!!!!

[jwenting]

the original astronaut corpse for NASA were all selected from the graduates of the US Air Force Test Pilot School.

And only a small selection of their graduates made the grade.

Since then the pool of candidates has been widened to include the other branches and even civilians, but the competition is just as fierce.

If you can't stand flying a Mach 2+ fighter jet through 7G turns, well...

[Blue]

I'm too tall.

NASA: "Height between 58.5 and 76 inches."

ESA: "...within the height range of 153 to 190 cm."

ASC-CSA: "Standing height must be between 149.5 cm to 190.5 cm"

I stand 195cm, or 6'5" and some (76 inches+) tall.

The reason why space progams prefer people of a specific height (or body size, to be more accurate), is because they don't want to build things to accommodate large people if they don't have to. People with large bodies will consume more food and require bigger chairs, which both weigh more than simply tailoring things for people who are small. Therefore, people who are too tall or too fat or whatever are disqualified.

That all said, I probably should've been working on a career focus like astronautics if I wanted to in the first place.

[KASASpace]

I would say not crashing every spaceship you touch, yes Jeb, I'm looking at you. And also not blowing it up, and not killing anybody FOR SCIENCE!