I think this might have been posted awhile back, but what do you guys think the chances are of becoming an Aviator, then an Astronaut? I know that Bruce Melnick and Captain Burbank have done it...
Excellent long-term goal.
Time-frame for your 1st spaceflight ~2030
- Graduate USCGA with an Engineering degree (top 15).
- Obtain a flight school billet.
- Fly many hours over the next 5-10 years, become an instructor and/or test pilot, while simultaneously obtaining your Masters in Astro-something and get promoted to O-5 or O-6.
- Apply to NASA.
- Pass incredibly detailed physical and mental examination
- Train for 4 years.
- Blast off.
Two USCGA grads have become astronauts (out of a total of ~540 from other sources) so your chances are approx 1 in 270.
If we have anything to blast off in. We're short on NASA manned space flight programs these days...
The chances are NOT one in 270. Not even close. It's not impossible, and it's a great goal, but that's faulty math.
Of course, it's just a meaningless statistic. However you want to base the chances of a USCGA grad (total of 2) who becomes an astronaut (~540, counting foreign ones) on some other factors, feel free to speculate as well.
In reality, the "real math" shows even worse odds.
NASA states that more than 3,500 applied to the latest astronaut class (2009)
They chose exactly 9.
Do your own math.
Time-frame for your 1st spaceflight ~2030
- Graduate USCGA with an Engineering degree (top 15).
Luigi, what did you mean by the top 15 comment?
LITS and Flieger, you guys are definitely right about the chances of doing things. It seems like a military career a lot of times results in being in the right place at the right time. Of course, it isn't like the CGA is a stepping stone to NASA or anything; It serves the goal that every candidate, appointee, and cadet has: Becoming an Officer in the US Military. It's great to have dreams, like becoming an astronaut, but I shouldn't expect to reach them knowing that many things are luck and circumstance. Who knows? Maybe I won't even be medically qualified for flight school. The point is that we, as cadets and candidates, should realize that we go to USXA or ROTC to become officers in those respective Services, not for just the job.
I didn't know you applied to CGA Flieger...have you ever been to the other SA's besides USAFA?
I am LIVING PROOF of that!! In more ways than one!Remember being in the wrong place at the wrong time for one dream may at the same time be the right place at the right time. Life has a way of throwing curve balls, and sometimes a curve ball is easier for you to hit out of the park.
Keep an open mind and enjoy the ride!