The American aerospace agency NASA announced the end of the recruitment of astronauts announced on December 14 last year. The ranks of the conquerors of outer space volunteered to join more than 18,300 people. Those of them, whose applications will be accepted, will, among other things, have to learn Russian without fail.
The number of people wishing to become NASA astronauts was unprecedented - the previous record, set in 1978, was about 8 thousand applicants (then the recruitment of both men and women was first announced). In 2012, when the last recruitment was held, there were only 6.3 thousand applicants. This time, the excitement is most likely due to the fact that in the foreseeable future NASA may send an expedition to Mars, and many would like to take part in it. Applicants with a bachelor's degree in biology, engineering, medicine, computer science, or mathematics were eligible to apply.
“With so many applications, we have a lot of work to do in selecting them,” said Brian Kelly, a spokesman for the US Aerospace Agency. "But we are very pleased to know that so many people want to participate in exciting NASA projects."
Of more than 18 thousand applicants, from 8 to 14 people will be trained in space flight, and the names of the lucky ones will be announced only in 2017. Future astronauts will be taught how to work, including with space equipment and go into outer space. In addition, they will hone their teamwork skills. The Russian language will also become an obligatory discipline for potential space explorers, space.com reports.
Some of those who manage to successfully complete the training will subsequently prepare to fly to the International Space Station. Others will take part in NASA missions that involve manned flights to Mars or deep space.
Dmitry Erusalimsky