Becoming an Astronaut?

SamAca10

10-Year Member
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Jul 19, 2009
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Hi I was wondering how I could go to the CGA and become an astronaut. What should I major in? What should I do after graduation(after flight school of course)? Thanks
 
one of the two CG astronauts (the other being CDR Bruce Melnick), CAPT Burbank, just left CGA this past year. I got a chance to talk to him about how he got into the space program and here's the basic rundown of his course...after he graduated from CGA, he went to flight school. He applied to be part of the space program 3 times, finally being accepted on the third application. I am not sure why it took 3 tries, he never really explained that. I can't remember what his major was but I'd imagine it probably doesn't matter much since it doesn't matter for getting into flight school. However, I do know he did get his masters at Embry-Riddle in aeronautical science.

(wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_C._Burbank)
 
The Coast Guard Reservist magazine contained a good interview of CAPT Burbank in issue 5-2006. I have attached a link below (it takes a while to load). Interestingly, CAPT Burbank wan not accepted to either the Coast Guard Academy or the astronaut program on his first try. He is quoted in the article as saying that for success "Have passion for your work. Focus on your goal and be persistent." The article is worth the read.

http://www.uscg.mil/reservist/mag2006/V53-05-06/5-06.pdf
 
Yes, definitely try contacting/reading about CAPT Burbank. I wasn't aware he left the academy this year:frown: I had the pleasure of speaking with him at my AIM session last summer and he had some amazing stories.
 
thats neat. I want to be an astronaut. Im not sure if anyone from MMA has been an astronaut.
 
i had the chance to talk with him last summer at Aim and it was really eye opening. i was worried id be al nervous and stuff but he was really easy to talk to. and now ill tal]kw his advice and not give up.
 
Yes, definitely try contacting/reading about CAPT Burbank. I wasn't aware he left the academy this year:frown: I had the pleasure of speaking with him at my AIM session last summer and he had some amazing stories.

how would I contact CAPT Burbank if he's left the academy? Where has he gone now?
 
how would I contact CAPT Burbank if he's left the academy? Where has he gone now?

After 24 years of service, Capt. Daniel Burbank retired from the U.S. Coast Guard on April 30, 2009.

He is continuing his career as an astronaut and is rumored to be named to the crew of either STS-133 or STS-134.
 
not trying to bring down the cga or cg... my dads in the coast guard... but if you wanna be an astronaut... consider the air force academy... its easier to become an astronaut out of the air force vs. coast guard... statistically...
 
not trying to bring down the cga or cg... my dads in the coast guard... but if you wanna be an astronaut... consider the air force academy... its easier to become an astronaut out of the air force vs. coast guard... statistically...

The OP wanted to know how he could become an astronaut coming from the USCGA, not if it was the best or easiest path.

Not trying to bring down the USAFA or the USAF......but the US Naval Academy has many more graduates who have become astronauts than the USAFA.......about 40% more, statistically. (USNA = 52, USAFA = 36)

:rolleyes:
 
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