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When I was young becoming an astronaut would have been a dream. In recent years, after discovering the world of online learning, I learned too much though to ha

When I was young becoming an astronaut would have been a dream. In recent years, after discovering the world of online learning, I learned too much though to have any desire to go into space, not with current or even soon-to-be technology. Physiological stress and radiation are very big problems. You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job (yes of course, risk assessment vs. benefits is highly subjective, here, I'll even help you, see below). Anyway, if you are interested start here (free courses): - The Conquest of Space: Space Exploration and Rocket Science: https://www.edx.org/course/conquest-space-space-exploration-rocket-uc3mx-bia-1x https://www.edx.org/course/conquest-space-space-exploration-... - Space Mission Design and Operations Learn the concepts: https://www.edx.org/course/space-mission-design-operations-epflx-ee585x https://www.edx.org/course/space-mission-design-operations-e... - Human Spaceflight - An introduction: https://www.edx.org/course/human-spaceflight-introduction-kthx-sd2905-1x https://www.edx.org/course/human-spaceflight-introduction-kt... - Introduction to Aerospace Engineering: Astronautics and Human Spaceflight: https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-aerospace-engineering-mitx-16-00x-0 https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-aerospace-engineerin... and maybe even (the more "heavy-weight" and more theory-heavy course) - Introduction to Solar Systems Astronomy: https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-solar-systems-astronomy-asux-ast111x-2 https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-solar-systems-astron... - Talking about a journey to Mars, you just must read "Packing for Mars" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packing_for_Mars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packing_for_Mars), Google Talk presentation by the author (40 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0kaycVtvhU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0kaycVtvhU . PS: For a first flight experience I recommend you look up and contact a flight school at a small airport near you. An introductory 1 hour lesson without any prior requirements can easily be booked, and it is "self-contained", meaning you don't need to feel you are taking advantage if you don't become a student, they get paid for that hour. But even getting your private pilot license is not all that hard. I got mine years ago :) For those of you in the Bay Area: http://www.wvfc.org/membership/introductory-flight http://www.wvfc.org/membership/introductory-flight (not the only address there, but the one where I went) As you can see it starts at $99 and is common enough to be made available in "packaged" form.

NegativeK 10y ago
> You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job. None of the current ISS crew are young; I suspect they just assess the risks differently.
- Noseshine 10y ago
  They didn't apply to go to Mars - which is the subject. Although you are right, there will be no shortage of volunteers, there never was for risky exploration. By the way, congratulations - of all the many things I wrote you managed to find the thing the (subjective) hair in the soup. If you have a different opinion about those risks, am I trying to argue you out of it? Instead, I give you (IMHO) some really good pointers to go beyond the "count me in" forum comment. Also, I did read about one long-term astronauts numerous health issues. He may not regret his time in space, but he sure is suffering now. Don't remember whom the interview was with, and it wasn't one of those who were up there only for a week or two, but for months and multiple times. If you go to Mars it's even worse. Just an example, and note that the radiation issue is going to be much worse on the way to Mars: http://lemire.me/blog/2015/12/01/the-mysterious-aging-of-astronauts/ http://lemire.me/blog/2015/12/01/the-mysterious-aging-of-ast... EDIT: Sorry for pointing out the negatives, but downvoting does not solve those problems. I would like to see though the difference (or not) in the excitement about going to space before and after learning about everything it involves, of which health problems are just a part. Live on board a tiny spaceship already is bad enough, now imagine it going on for months. Another quick read (with link to a longer one) to see that a mission to Mars is something different in terms of health risks is http://www.iflscience.com/space/astronaut-safety-concerns-confound-longterm-space-exploration/ http://www.iflscience.com/space/astronaut-safety-concerns-co... > For astronauts to be permitted to take on that risk in future missions, current safety > regulations would have to be expanded or waived. NASA had asked the IOM to review the > regulations and either make a special set of regulations for Mars missions or to make an > exception. The IOM has determined that the risk is not worth it and changing the current > restrictions is opening up an ethical can of worms.
  - michael_h 10y ago

NegativeK 10y ago

> You must be young and thinking about health never entered your mind to apply for the job. None of the current ISS crew are young; I suspect they just assess the risks differently.

Noseshine 10y ago
They didn't apply to go to Mars - which is the subject. Although you are right, there will be no shortage of volunteers, there never was for risky exploration. By the way, congratulations - of all the many things I wrote you managed to find the thing the (subjective) hair in the soup. If you have a different opinion about those risks, am I trying to argue you out of it? Instead, I give you (IMHO) some really good pointers to go beyond the "count me in" forum comment. Also, I did read about one long-term astronauts numerous health issues. He may not regret his time in space, but he sure is suffering now. Don't remember whom the interview was with, and it wasn't one of those who were up there only for a week or two, but for months and multiple times. If you go to Mars it's even worse. Just an example, and note that the radiation issue is going to be much worse on the way to Mars: http://lemire.me/blog/2015/12/01/the-mysterious-aging-of-astronauts/ http://lemire.me/blog/2015/12/01/the-mysterious-aging-of-ast... EDIT: Sorry for pointing out the negatives, but downvoting does not solve those problems. I would like to see though the difference (or not) in the excitement about going to space before and after learning about everything it involves, of which health problems are just a part. Live on board a tiny spaceship already is bad enough, now imagine it going on for months. Another quick read (with link to a longer one) to see that a mission to Mars is something different in terms of health risks is http://www.iflscience.com/space/astronaut-safety-concerns-confound-longterm-space-exploration/ http://www.iflscience.com/space/astronaut-safety-concerns-co... > For astronauts to be permitted to take on that risk in future missions, current safety > regulations would have to be expanded or waived. NASA had asked the IOM to review the > regulations and either make a special set of regulations for Mars missions or to make an > exception. The IOM has determined that the risk is not worth it and changing the current > restrictions is opening up an ethical can of worms.
- michael_h 10y ago