Expert: Paul Soderman - 3/23/2011

Question
Hi Paul,
I am aware you have heard this question quite a number of times. But here it is again. My classmate completed his aeronautical engg. It's always been his dream to become an astronaut. What I want to ask is what is more viable: if he earns a Ph.D. in IIT, India; or, if he earns a M.Sc, Ph.D. abroad. Plus since many more countries apart from NASA have space programs, how should he proceed to increase his chance of becoming one?

Answer
Kinnera
First, I cannot speak for other countries, only the U.S. The NASA astronaut program is very difficult to get into; many apply, few are accepted.  The most common attribute seems to be a military pilot.  The next common is a scientist or engineer who has high credentials and has developed a reputation or expertise that is of interest to NASA.  He or she is physically fit.  Having a PhD is good but not sufficient, so I cannot say which PhD is better than another.  U.S. citizenship is required except for guest astronauts from other countries.  See the NASA main website for more information.  Incidentally, the Shuttle program is shutting down after one or two more flights.  The need for future astronauts will not be settled until an alternate launch vehicle is developed, though I assume Russian or other vehicles will be able to get up to the Space Station.

Most astronauts did not plan their careers to become astronauts.  They planned a career, and somewhere along the line they decided to try for the program.  
Paul