How to Become an Astronaut: A Kid's Guide

Fewer than 700 people in human history have ever flown to space. That is fewer than the number of students in many large schools. Becoming an astronaut is one of the rarest careers on Earth, but it is also one of the most teachable. Every astronaut started exactly where you are now — curious about space, going to school, asking questions. The path is long, but every step is something you can plan for.

This guide walks through what astronauts actually do, the school subjects that matter most, the two main education routes (university and military), the physical requirements, how space agencies like NASA, ESA, JAXA and ISRO actually pick astronauts, what training looks like once you are selected, and the things you can start doing this year if becoming an astronaut is your goal.

What Does an Astronaut Actually Do?

Most people imagine astronauts floating around inside a spacecraft, and that is part of the job. But astronauts are, first and foremost, scientists, engineers, pilots, and explorers. Their daily work depends on the mission they are flying.

On the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts run hundreds of experiments — studying how human muscles weaken in microgravity, growing protein crystals that help design new medicines, testing new materials, and observing Earth's weather, glaciers, and forests. They also fix things. When a pump fails or a solar panel needs replacing, astronauts put on a spacesuit and go outside for a spacewalk, called an EVA (extravehicular activity), that can last six to eight hours.

On future missions, astronauts will fly to the Moon under NASA's Artemis programme and eventually to Mars. ISRO's Gaganyaan mission is preparing Indian astronauts for India's first independent crewed spaceflight. Commercial flights with SpaceX, Axiom Space, and Blue Origin are creating entirely new kinds of astronaut careers — including private researchers and citizen explorers.

School Subjects That Matter Most

You do not need to be the best student in your class, but you do need to take school seriously — especially the subjects below. Astronauts are usually strong in many areas, not just one.

Subject	Why It Matters
Mathematics	Every aspect of spaceflight — orbits, thrust, fuel use, life support — runs on math. Strong algebra and geometry now lead to calculus and physics later.
Physics	Understanding motion, gravity, energy, and forces is essential. Most astronauts hold engineering or physics-related degrees.
Biology & Chemistry	Many ISS experiments involve biology and chemistry. Mission specialists often have medical or life-sciences backgrounds.
Computer Science	Spacecraft are flying computers. Astronauts increasingly need coding and software skills to run experiments and troubleshoot systems.
Languages	The ISS is operated jointly with Russia. Every astronaut who flies on Soyuz must learn Russian. English is the working language of most other agencies.
Physical Education	Fitness is non-negotiable. Strong cardiovascular health and overall physical capability matter from the very first selection round.

The Two Main Education Paths

Once you finish school, there are two well-established routes to becoming an astronaut. Almost every astronaut who has ever flown took one of these.

Path 1: University and a STEM career

Most astronauts hold at least a bachelor's degree in a STEM field — engineering, physics, computer science, mathematics, biology, chemistry, or geology. NASA currently requires a master's degree in a STEM field, or a doctorate, or a medical degree, or completion of a recognised test pilot school. After your degree, you typically need at least two years of professional experience as an engineer, scientist, doctor, or research pilot before applying.

Path 2: Military pilot route

The other classic route is to become a military jet pilot, accumulate at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft, and ideally complete test pilot school. This route has produced many famous astronauts including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Rakesh Sharma, Sunita Williams, and all four of India's Gaganyaan astronauts. Test pilots are highly valued because they are trained to fly experimental aircraft and stay calm in dangerous situations.

Some astronauts combine both paths. Sunita Williams is a US Navy test pilot who also holds a master's degree in engineering management. Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force test pilot who became India's first astronaut on the International Space Station in June 2025.

Physical and Medical Requirements

Astronauts spend months in confined spaces, undergo high g-forces during launch, and need to be able to perform demanding tasks in a spacesuit. The medical bar is high but achievable.

For NASA, candidates must pass a long-duration spaceflight physical that includes vision corrected to 20/20 (eyeglasses and modern laser eye surgery are both allowed), blood pressure no higher than 140/90 while seated, and standing height between 149.5 and 190.5 centimetres. Hearing, heart function, and overall fitness are all assessed in detail. ESA, ISRO, and JAXA use similar medical standards.

You do not need to be a champion athlete. You need to be healthy, strong, and able to handle physical stress. Regular exercise, good sleep, and protecting your vision (limit screen time at close distances, take outdoor breaks) are the things kids can start doing now to keep this path open.

How Astronauts Are Actually Selected

Space agencies open astronaut applications every few years and receive enormous numbers of submissions. The selection process is one of the most competitive in any career.

Agency	Recent Selection	Applicants vs. Chosen
NASA	2021 astronaut class (10 selected)	~12,000 applicants for 10 spots
ESA	2022 astronaut class	22,500 applicants → 5 career + 11 reserve astronauts
ISRO (Gaganyaan)	2019-2020 selection	~12 Indian Air Force test pilots screened → 4 chosen astronauts
JAXA	2023 astronaut class	4,127 applicants → 2 chosen
CSA (Canada)	2017 class	3,772 applicants → 2 chosen

Selection happens in multiple rounds spread over a year or more. Candidates are tested on academic background, professional experience, problem-solving, teamwork, communication skills, leadership, and psychological resilience. Medical evaluations are extremely thorough. Interviews are conducted in person and often include scenarios that test how candidates handle stress.

One important thing to know: agencies are looking for well-rounded people, not just brilliant students. They want candidates who can work in a small crew for months, communicate calmly under pressure, and stay friendly with people from different cultures and languages. Hobbies, leadership in school clubs, sports, music, and volunteering all count.

What Astronaut Training Looks Like

Being selected is just the start. New astronauts then go through roughly two years of basic training before they are even eligible for a mission.

The Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory

At NASA's Sonny Carter facility in Houston, astronauts practise spacewalks in a giant swimming pool that holds 23.5 million litres of water and a full-size mockup of the ISS at the bottom. Floating in water gives the closest feel on Earth to floating in space. A typical six-hour spacewalk is rehearsed for roughly 60 hours underwater before it is performed in orbit.

Centrifuge and parabolic flights

Astronauts experience launch and re-entry forces in a centrifuge that spins them at multiple times Earth's gravity. They also fly aboard aircraft that climb steeply and then dive, creating about 25 seconds of weightlessness at a time — these are sometimes called "vomit comets" and are used to practise tasks in microgravity.

T-38 jets and Russian language school

NASA astronauts fly supersonic T-38 jet trainers to keep their reflexes sharp and to learn how to operate in stressful, high-stakes environments. Every astronaut who will ride a Russian Soyuz spacecraft attends an intensive Russian language programme — and most reach conversational fluency within a year.

Robotics, systems, and survival training

Astronauts learn to operate the Canadarm2 robotic arm on the ISS, study every system of the spacecraft they will fly, and complete wilderness, water, and desert survival training in case a capsule lands far from a recovery team. Some training even takes place underwater for weeks at a time, in NASA's NEEMO underwater habitat off the coast of Florida.

Famous Astronauts From Around the World

Astronauts come from many countries, backgrounds, and career paths. Looking at their stories helps make the goal feel real.

Astronaut	Country	Why They Matter
Yuri Gagarin	Soviet Union	First human in space (1961). Orbited Earth once aboard Vostok 1.
Neil Armstrong	United States	First person to walk on the Moon (1969). Former test pilot and aerospace engineer.
Valentina Tereshkova	Soviet Union	First woman in space (1963). Selected from over 400 applicants.
Rakesh Sharma	India	First Indian in space (1984). Indian Air Force test pilot.
Kalpana Chawla	India / USA	First Indian-born woman in space. Aerospace engineer with a PhD from the University of Colorado.
Sunita Williams	USA (Indian origin)	US Navy test pilot. Has flown three long-duration ISS missions and is among the most experienced astronauts in spacewalk hours.
Chris Hadfield	Canada	First Canadian commander of the ISS. Famous for explaining space science to millions of kids.
Shubhanshu Shukla	India	First Indian on the ISS (June 2025) and Gaganyaan-designate. Indian Air Force test pilot.

What You Can Start Doing Right Now

You do not have to wait until university to begin. The best astronaut candidates have spent years building the right habits. Here is what makes a real difference, starting today.

1. Take maths and science seriously, but be curious everywhere. Read books outside class. Ask questions. Watch real space launches live. The kids who grow into astronauts are not just smart — they are interested.
2. Stay physically active. Pick at least one sport or physical activity you enjoy and stick with it. Swimming is especially helpful because spacewalk training happens underwater.
3. Protect your eyes. Spend time outdoors every day, take screen breaks, and follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes of close work, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds). Good vision habits matter for the long haul.
4. Learn a second language. Russian is the most directly useful for current astronauts, but any second language trains the brain to handle the multilingual reality of space missions.
5. Join a club or team. Robotics clubs, science olympiads, astronomy clubs, scouts, debate teams, sports teams — anything where you learn to work with other people and lead when needed.
6. Get comfortable with technology. Try a simple coding language (Python or Scratch), build a small robot, fly a drone, set up a Raspberry Pi project, or assemble a beginner telescope. Tinker.
7. Practise calm under pressure. Anything that puts you in unfamiliar situations — performing on stage, swimming in deep water, hiking, public speaking — builds the temperament astronauts need.

Becoming an astronaut is not about being a genius or a superhero. It is about choosing a long path early and walking it consistently — strong school work, real-world skills, physical and mental fitness, and a habit of curiosity. Every astronaut who ever flew started as a kid who wondered what was out there. If that is you, you are already on the path.

For more on the science of getting to space, read our guide on how rockets work for kids. And to start exploring the sky from your own backyard, see our beginner's guide to constellations.