JULY 2003 NP-2003-07-008JSC

Astronaut Fact Book

“Once you get to Earth orbit, you're halfway toanywhere in the solar system."

National Aeronautics andSpace Administration

Information Summaries

-- Robert Heinlein

JULY 2003

PREFACE

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selected the first group ofastronauts in 1959. From 500 candidates having the required jet aircraft flight experience andengineering training as well as height below 5 feet 11 inches, 7 military men became the Nation'sfirst astronauts. The second and third groups chosen included civilians who had extensive flyingexperience. By 1964, requirements had changed, and emphasis was placed on academicqualifications; in 1965, 6 scientist astronauts were selected from a group of 400 applicants whohad a Doctorate or equivalent experience in the natural sciences, medicine, or engineering. Thegroup named in 1978 was the first of space shuttle flight crews and since then, 8 additionalgroups have been selected with a mix of pilots and mission specialists.There are currently 108 astronauts and 36 management astronauts in the program; 133astronauts have retired or resigned; and 35 are deceased.Though most of the information in this document pertains only to U.S. Astronauts, severalsections are included to provide information about the international astronauts and Russiantrained Cosmonauts who are currently partners with the U.S. Space Program participating in theInternational Space Station endeavor. The non-U.S. information presented here was gatheredfrom the biographies provided by the various space agencies with which these individuals areaffiliated.Payload specialists are career scientists or engineers selected by their employer or country fortheir expertise in conducting a specific experiment or commercial venture on a space shuttlemission. Information about them is not included in the Astronaut Fact Book.The space flights and statistics listed in this publication are those which resulted from the verticaltakeoff of an American space vehicle. Astronauts listed (unless otherwise noted) are individualswho participated in the United States astronaut program including those who are in the trainingprogram.NASA accepts applications for the Astronaut Candidate Program on a continuing basis andselects candidates as needed.