One of the cool things about getting a PhD is that you can get to work on the cool problem you're interested in. If you're working hard and get lucky in your r

One of the cool things about getting a PhD is that you can get to work on the cool problem you're interested in. If you're working hard and get lucky in your research, a PhD can take < 5 years. Masters programs can be easier to get into, and if you're good, you'll have an easy shot at getting into a PhD program. Not saying that a PhD is necessarily the best choice, but it's a way in. Some friends worked on the PanCam rover hardware as undergrads and parlayed it into 'permanent' positions with rover operations without going to grad school. Get in touch with the people who do whatever you want to do, make it clear that you want to work for them, and do everything to get competent in the field.