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NASA Astronaut Shares the Times He Was Turned Down by the Agency ...
I got turned down to be a NASA astronaut 3 times — here's what finally worked By Kevin Reilly You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. and Jessica Orwig You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. 2026-05-07T20:56:01.234Z Mike Massimino overcame multiple rejections to become a NASA astronaut. Vision training helped Mike Massimino meet NASA's standards, leading to his acceptance in 1996. Persistence and focus on controllable factors were key to Mike Massimino's eventual success at NASA. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut who spent more than 18 years with the agency, flew on two space shuttle missions, and logged more than 30 hours on spacewalks. It has been edited for length and clarity. The first time I applied to NASA's astronaut program, I was rejected outright. It happened again when I applied two years later. The third time, NASA invited me to interview.An initial interview is a big step in the process that starts with thousands of applicants and narrows to about 120 finalists. But it wasn't meant to be that time, either.My vision didn't meet NASA's standards, and I was medically disqualified. From what I saw, vision issues were the most common reason candidates were disqualified at that stage.I was disappointed, but I wasn't ready to stop trying. I treated the rejection like a problem to solve Mike Massimino was rejected by NASA three times before getting accepted into its astronaut program. Business Insider After I was disqualified, I started looking for a solution to fix my vision.One colleague told me to dehydrate before the vision test because it would "flatten the eye" and change how it focuses.Another told me the opposite — to drink a lot of water because it would make the eye "more viscous" and bend light differently.Neither seemed like sound advice, but it made me think there might be a way around the problem.I eventually found a vision training program designed to improve focus. NASA doctors told me they thought it wouldn't work, but they didn't see any harm in trying it. So I did.The exercises involved relaxing my eyes and learning to "focus beyond" an object so it would come into view, rather than forcing my eyes to strain.I also used undercorrected lenses, so my eyes had to work harder. It was enough to improve my vision by a couple of lines to pass the eye e...
Careers: How to Apply & Working With NASA - NASA
How to Apply & Working With NASA At NASA, we explore the secrets of the universe for the benefit of all. And we’re looking for people who share our passion for exploration to join our team. Whether you’re developing cutting-edge technologies to further human spaceflight or managing the operations of one of our facilities across the country, there is a place for you at NASA. Come explore with us! Types of Opportunities NASA offers a variety of employment and partnership opportunities to match where you are in your life and career. Both permanent and temporary appointments are available. Temporary appointments are expected to last for a specific period and allow you to gain valuable experience on a specific project or mission. We also employ Pathways Interns. The Pathways Internship Program prepares you for a career at NASA and offers a direct pipeline to full-time employment at NASA upon graduation. The federal government offers unique hiring paths to help hire individuals that represent our diverse society. Learn more about each hiring path and your eligibility. Applying Civil Servant Opportunities NASA job opportunities are posted on USAJOBS—the federal government’s official employment site. Pathways internship positions are posted on the pathways website. You can browse vacancies without creating a profile and apply later if you are interested. Learn more about the application process below. View this video for more information on applying to federal jobs. How to Apply The following steps will walk you through the process: Create a USAJOBS Account: In order to apply for a civil service job at NASA, you must first create a profile on USAJOBS. Build your Resume: After you complete your profile, you will need to build or upload your resume. Note: We encourage you to use the USAJOBS resume format so you can be sure you have included all of the important information. All resumes submitted through USAJOBS must be two pages or fewer. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by the USAJOBS system. Applicants should focus on highlighting experience and qualifications that match the specialized experience listed in the job announcement. Include job titles, employment dates (month and year), and a brief description of key duties and accomplishments for each role. Resume Tips Brochure Already have an account? Just sign in to your existing USAJOBS account and review its accuracy before applying for NASA vacancies. Search for Jobs: After you have...
Ever wonder what it's actually like to be a NASA intern? Meet Lauren ...
What about the moon? Where's the job application?' NASA actually post their requirements out to the public. So number one, you gotta be a U.S. citizen. You ...
B.Tech Student Dreams of Becoming Astronaut: How Can They ...
Keep an eye on ISRO announcements for astronaut recruitment. NASA Astronaut Selection Process: To apply to NASA, you need U.S. citizenship. If you are ...
