So, how do you get the chance to go to space? And what does it take?

Currently, there are three ways to get the opportunity to go to space. They are:

1. Nab a highly-coveted and extremely competitive spot as an astronaut candidate at a federal, publicly-funded space agency like NASA, ESA, JAXA, etc. This is often considered the ultimate achievement for space dreamers, and for good reason. Becoming an astronaut with a government agency is currently the only way to have a guaranteed chance at spaceflight…and get paid for it. While I will never discourage anyone from applying for an astronaut spot with a federal space program, it’s important to maintain a perspective on the statistics. Consider this:

As of April 9, 2020, a total of 566 people from 41 countries have gone into space according to the FAI criterion (574 people have qualified when including the US Department of Defense classification). Of those 566, three people completed a sub-orbital flight, 562 people reached Earth orbit, 24 traveled beyond low Earth orbit and 12 walked on the Moon. Space travelers have spent over 29,000 person-days (or a cumulative total of over 77 years) in space including over 100 person-days of spacewalks. (Wikipedia)

NASA is widely considered to be the world’s most productive space agency, and their astronauts make up the majority of that list at 339.

While they may hold the title for most astronauts in space, think about that number:

339 people, out of 330+ MILLION Americans…out of 7.7 BILLION people on Earth.

Additionally, NASA only puts out a call for new astronauts every few years, and they typically call for between six (6) and twelve (12) new candidates.

Again, while I will never discourage anyone from applying for one of these positions, it is clear that the future of spaceflight will not rely solely on the process of publicly-funded astronauts.

The second option is:

2. Pay up. Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and other commercial space will soon start offering flights into space…for a price. Costs currently reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most average citizens, myself included, will not be able to afford even one of these private flights.

That brings us to the third option, which is:

3. Prepare yourself for the coming democratization of space by acquiring a relevant combination of education, experience, and skills that will make you an effective astronaut. This is the option that this guide is designed to help you navigate.

Now, we ask the next big question: What exactly does it take to be an astronaut? Do you have “the right stuff?” What even is “the right stuff?”

The answer, as you’ll find, is very good news. Because there is no one answer to that question. While there are some particular skills that will be necessary in order for you to be an effective astronaut, the fact is that it’s less about being a master at any one thing and more about having a well-rounded variety of relevant skills that you may need to use at any given moment in orbit, in deep space, or on another planet.

Being an astronaut is about being a problem-solver, a good communicator, and a fast learner.

This guide will put you on the path to becoming the best citizen scientist-astronaut candidate that you can be. We will break down the astronaut journey into sections:

1. Education ‒ The academic backgrounds and knowledgebases that will provide a good foundation for your astronaut journey.

2. Professional Development ‒ The academic-adjacent and post-grad programs that will teach you astronaut-specific responsibilities.

3. Specialized Skills ‒ The additional life skills that will best prepare you to handle the hazards of spaceflight (and life on Earth).

4. Networking ‒ The organizations that will connect you with other aspiring astronauts to spark creation and collaboration.

I will also provide some recommendations for reading material and space-related entertainment, for both educational and fun/inspirational purposes.