Qualifications for astronaut

NASA Group 1 (Mercury Astronauts) - April, 1959

NASA Group 1 Astronauts

Carpenter, M. Scott (Navy)

Cooper, L. Gordon, Jr. (Air Force)

Glenn, John H., Jr. (Marine Corps)

Grissom, Virgil I. (Air Force)

Schirra, Walter M., Jr. (Navy)

Shepard, Alan B., Jr. (Navy)

Slayton, Donald K. (Air Force)

NASA Group 1 Background

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) search for astronaut candidates began not long after the space agency was created in October, 1958. The initial NASA draft for astronaut candidates sought to recruit 150 volunteers representing the scientific and military communities.

NASA intended that at least 36 of these initial volunteers would pass rigorous screening, and then move on to undergo a battery of physical and psychological evaluations. Of these 36 candidates, NASA planned to select 12 for a final nine-month period of training and testing, followed by a selection of six astronaut finalists.

The initial astronaut salary was offered at $8, 330 annually (GS-12) to $12, 770 annually (GS-15) depending upon the qualifications of each astronaut. Initial qualifications for astronaut candidates specified males between 25 and 40 years of age, less than 5-foot, 11-inches tall and possessing a bachelor's degree.

Candidates would be required to possess at least three years of work experience in the physical, mathematical, biological or psychological sciences or at least three years of experience performing technical or engineering work in a research and development program within an accredited organization.

NASA also desired to seek astronaut applicants having at least three years of experience in operating balloons, aircraft or submarines as commander, pilot, navigator, communications officer, engineer or any technical position related to these activities.

In lieu of three years of experience in any of the specialties already described, astronaut candidates eligible for, or already possessing, a doctorate degree in a scientific or engineering discipline plus at least six months of professional experience within that discipline would be invited to apply.

Astronaut candidates would also be required to have demonstrated, or be willing to demonstrate, a willingness to accept hazards comparable to those encountered in modern research airplane flight, a capacity to tolerate rigorous and severe environmental conditions and an ability to react adequately under conditions of stress or emergency.

It was believed that candidates best qualified to be selected as astronauts would most likely be pulled from pools of test pilots, experimental submarine crews or members of expeditions to the Arctic or Antarctica.

Individuals possessing specialized experience, including wartime training, parachute jumping, mountain climbing or extreme elements of deep-sea diving or scuba diving were also highly favored as astronaut candidates.

While this was an interesting set of qualifications for astronaut candidates, NASA was not initially able to offer an astronaut selection draft of this kind. President Dwight D. Eisenhower believed that active-duty military pilots would make the best astronauts. As a result, the astronaut selection requirements were altered.

While the resulting requirements for astronaut candidates were simpler, they were also much more rigid. NASA required astronaut candidates to be male, not older than 40 years of age, not more than 5-foot, 11-inches in height and in excellent physical condition.

Astronaut candidates were required to be a graduate of test pilot school and a qualified jet pilot in possession of at least 1, 500 hours of flight experience. Astronaut candidates were also required to possess a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in experience.

Although the first astronaut draft was opened to military pilots only, many qualified pilots refused to apply because of language in the official NASA astronaut description that troubled them.

The specific NASA astronaut description, in part, read:

"Although the entire satellite operation will be possible, in the early phases, without the presence of man, the astronaut will play an important role during the flight. He will contribute by monitoring the cabin environment and making necessary adjustments.

He will have continuous displays of his position and attitude and other instrument readings, and will have the capability of operating the reaction controls, and of initiating the descent from orbit. He will contribute to the operation of the communications system.