Routes to take to join NASA

The space industry is very hard to get into in any operational capacity. You could look in the private sector, with companies such as Virgin Galactic. I can see the industry becoming bigger within the next few decades.

As far as I know, most astronauts worked in the military before working with NASA/ESA. But then again, I don't know much about it. You could try to become a pilot in the RAF to get some sort of experience (it would be very basic compared to what flying a spaceship is like, but it's something) whilst the industry grows into something more accessible.

As everyone else has said, it is very hard to get US citizenship proper. The majority of immigrants have temporary visas, and many permanent immigrants were able to become permanent from marrying a US citizen. To get a skill-based permanent visa the employer needs to prove that no American can do the job, which means you'd have to be getting extremely good credentials, and most likely have some sort of experience in the UK (in engineering). You then have to wait five years before you can apply for citizenship through naturalisation, which is when you get a US passport, the right to vote, jury service etc.

After that, you will probably still have problems, unless if you have something that a natural-born citizen doesn't. As it is with most countries, they aren't going to divulge state secrets to anyone, especially as you could be working against them in some way (doubtful, but if UK-US relations suddenly take a turn for the worst then you'd be in trouble).

At your age, I'm guessing this isn't some sort of childhood dream, and you're aware of the determination it requires. Not many people are going to believe you can pull this off, I doubt a connexions advisor will give you tips on how to become an astronaut. But if you have the motivation to spend upwards of twenty years gaining experience to work in the space industry, then feel free.

You could always do that Mars in 2022 thing

huh...thankyou, but the entry requirements must've gone up from last year. I got AAA and was offered direct second year entry into the masters course (the Scottish uni system has an extra year because of the Scottish high school education system, its all a bit messy).

In regards to what subjects to do for A-level, maths and physics are essential for engineering and physics alike. Further maths would also really help as everything (and I mean everything!) you do in engineering is heavily maths based. You will need to be good at it.

When it comes to apprenticeships, I'm sorry but don't know much. I had never considered it. Maybe talk to your careers advisor about it.

No engineering course requires you to do an engineering A level.
I never did it, I never even did technology at GCSE, and, unlike you, I doubt I could even assemble a desk from IKEA.

The common belief that engineers build and fix things is complete rubbish. That's what a mechanic does.
Engineers apply theoretical knowledge to solve complex physical problems through design and analysis. I have been here in Glasgow almost an entire year and I have never once picked up a spanner or hammered anything.

Most of my time is spent in lecture theaters and tutorial rooms, learning the theory. Which is good, because the theory is really interesting and essential for design applications later on in the degree. I don't even have that many labs to do, and when I do I'm using computer programs.
This year I have analysed the thrust generated by a turbojet, I've done a uniaxial tensile test (basically pulling a bit of metal apart to see how it deforms), I've done some very simple finite element analysis (using a computer to find the stresses and strains on a structure), and created a simulation of a moving double pendulum.

Obviously every course is different and so there may be a bit of boring hands-on work in the first year, and when you do labs, like the turbojet lab I did, you won't be allowed to run it, you'll just calibrate it and look at the results after a lab assistant operates it. The uni doesn't want some first year playing with their shiny new turbojet!
But don't worry, as you get more knowledgeable you'll get to do more interesting labs.

So, after deviating a bit (sorry) I don't think an engineering A-level would be more beneficial, especially if your teachers think that you're oxbridge level. The theory is the most important bit. I did maths, physics and chemistry and I wish I'd done further maths as it would have helped.
If you work your ass off and get high grades in maths, physics and whatever else you're doing you should get in to a good uni just fine.

I haven't ruled out an engineering degree, am I right to assume you don't need an engineering a level to do it? My teachers have noticed me as a student who could possibly go on to an Oxbridge uni, I'll try my very hardest if that is what it takes.

Side note: It doesn't have to be NASA! Any organisation/agency which specializes in the space industry would be just as amazing.

Thank you all for your responses.

Hello all, I'm a 15 year old aspiring to work in the space industry when I'm older. I've applied for physics, chemistry, maths and further maths courses at sixth form, and I'm hoping to do a course in physics at university.

Does anyone know the routes I will have to take to achieve my goal? I will literally do anything it takes. For me, working for an agency like NASA or SETI would be the most fascinating and rewarding career path available.

I'm really in the dark about how one could get into such a prestigious industry. If anyone has a good understanding on the matter, please enlighten me!

NASA should be shut down. Wasting money during an economic crisis.

Hi,

I'm an aerospace engineer and an US citizen. I would suggest studying for aerospace/aeronautical engineering, although as you can tell, I'm probably somewhat bias. I think aerospace engineering majors have better job opportunities than physics majors. You can also always change your degree or interest area; I did my undergraduate in mechanical engineering and then did my master's degree and soon my PhD in aerospace engineering. I also honestly don't think it really matters which school you attend for your undergraduates as long you get good grades and get experience through an internship(s) and/or research projects.

If you really want to work for NASA, your best chance to study in the US and get an US citizenship. Almost all of the job announcements I have seen for NASA, or any aerospace job in the US, has US citizenship as a requirement because you need to be able to obtain a classified clearance. I'm not sure on the specifics on becoming an US citizen, but I think you need to live in the US for 5 years before you can apply for citizenship. So if you complete your undergraduate and master's, or master's and PhD, it should give sufficient time to meet the time requirement. Studying in the US, especially for a graduate degree will also look good on your application when you're applying for US jobs. Otherwise, it is really tough to work in a different country, such as the US. I wanted to work abroad in Europe for a few years before I settle down, but it's really tough to get a foreign job without any ties to the country where you're trying to find a job in. I eventually had to settle for a job in the US before I got accepted for a PhD at University of London. Ironically, my friend from Spain is trying to find a job in the US and she having very hard time of finding one in the US. But, it's relatively easy to go to school in a different country for a degree and get a job afterwards. I was able to get accepted to University of London without any troubles and I could have gotten into several other UK schools if they had funding available. On the reverse side, many of my friends at University of Illinois were foreign and they were able to study in the US without much trouble either. Few of my foreign friends that have graduate already have been to find jobs in the US.

As many other people noted, UK also has many opportunities too. Astrium/EADS have many aerospace jobs and ESA roughly does same thing NASA does. Really, the only area of research and work the US has over the UK is probably man space flight. Whatever you decide to do, get good grades and try to get as much internship and research experience as possible.

Hopefully you stay on track and make a difference.

NASA generates more money for the US economy than it takes out. It uses only 1 quarter of a cent out of a tax dollar.

How? It's not like they are extracting a precious resource off the moon. They are just wasting money trying to get to some barren planets, when there are billions of mouths to feed on our own planet.

Thank you very much. I think moving to a whole different country (a far away one at that!) is too big a risk for me just to try to join NASA when there's a chance I wont be accepted and it's much more complicated for a foreigner like me.

How could I go about getting an internship? Also, out of interest, what was the subject of your PhD?

How? It's not like they are extracting a precious resource off the moon. They are just wasting money trying to get to some barren planets, when there are billions of mouths to feed on our own planet.

Do you have any idea how useful many of the satellites we have are? Many were made by NASA (the older ones especially).

Even today missions like looking for other planets via Kepler are yielding massive results (hell we've even found a planet at Alpha Centuri). Is finding alien life or another habitable world not worthy of a few billion dollars.

No it isn't. And it's 18 billion dollars, not just 'a few'.

Our planet is coming towards it's end anyway, so there isn't much we can do even if we manage to find alien life in the next 50 years. With global warming, depleting natural resources etc, surely mankind would be better off if that money was used to solve some real issues. If nothing else, it would certainly help pay off that massive US national debt.

No it isn't. And it's 18 billion dollars, not just 'a few'.

NASA should be shut down. Wasting money during an economic crisis.

How? It's not like they are extracting a precious resource off the moon. They are just wasting money trying to get to some barren planets, when there are billions of mouths to feed on our own planet.