When our own Valkyrie sent me this posting from NASA this morning, I thought it could be some kind of hoax. However, the more I read and the more anal it got, I had no further doubt that it had to be from an agency associated with the US government.

Even though NASA has become more and more independent of it’s ties to the government, you can still see plenty of govspeak in this job listing. I suppose you can take NASA from the government but you can’t take the ponderous, nit picky, long winded people out of NASA. Of course, it is an job search for an astronaut, so I suppose it has to be a somewhat particular.

I don’t think we need Cletus or Joe Jack applying for the job. However, it seems NASA needs a few good men and women for a multitude of future missions into space, 55 recruits to be exact.

Here it is, straight from USAJobs.gov complete with a recruitment video, read on if you dare:

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Job Title: Astronaut Candidate
Department: National Aeronautics & Space Administration
Agency: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Job Announcement Number:JS12A0001

SALARY RANGE: $64,724.00 to $141,715.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 to Friday, January 27, 2012
SERIES & GRADE: GS-0801-11/14
POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time – Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 15
DUTY LOCATIONS: Few vacancy(s) in the following locations: Houston, TX
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: This announcement is open to all qualified U.S. citizens.

JOB SUMMARY:

NASA, the world’s leader in space and aeronautics is always seeking outstanding scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals to carry forward the great discovery process that its mission demands. Creativity. Ambition. Teamwork. A sense of daring. And a probing mind. That’s what it takes to join NASA, one of the best places to work in the Federal Government.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a need for Astronaut Candidates to support the International Space Station (ISS) Program and future deep space exploration activities.

Active duty military personnel are eligible to apply for this position. In addition to applying through USAJobs, active duty military personnel must also submit their application through their respective military service. Military points of contacts can be found at Astronaut Candidate Program.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
This is drug-testing designated position
Frequent travel may be required
Selectee must pass a pre-employment medical examination

DUTIES:

Astronauts are involved in all aspects of assembly and on-orbit operations of the ISS. This includes extravehicular activities (EVA), robotics operations using the remote manipulator system, experiment operations, and onboard maintenance tasks. Astronauts are required to have a detailed knowledge of the ISS systems, as well as detailed knowledge of the operational characteristics, mission requirements and objectives, and supporting systems and equipment for each experiment on their assigned missions.

Long-duration missions aboard the ISS generally last from 3 to 6 months. Training for long duration missions is very arduous and takes approximately 2 to 3 years. This training requires extensive travel, including long periods away in other countries training with our international partners. Travel to and from the ISS will be aboard the Russian Soyuz vehicle. Consequently, astronauts must meet the Soyuz size requirements, as indicated below. Additional information about the position can be found at Astronaut Candidate Program.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements before submitting an application.

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Quality of academic preparation is important.

Notes on Academic Requirements:
Applicants for the Astronaut Candidate Program must meet the basic education requirements for NASA engineering and scientific positions, specifically: successful completion of standard professional curriculum in an accredited college or university leading to at least a bachelor’s degree with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics.

The following degree fields are not considered qualifying:
–Degrees in Technology (Engineering Technology, Aviation Technology, Medical Technology, etc.)
–Degrees in Psychology (except for Clinical Psychology, Physiological Psychology, or Experimental Psychology, which are qualifying)
–Degrees in Nursing
–Degrees in Exercise Physiology or similar fields
–Degrees in Social Sciences (Geography, Anthropology, Archaeology, etc.)
–Degrees in Aviation, Aviation Management, or similar fields

2. Degree followed by at least 3 years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience OR at least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for experience as follows: master’s degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience. Teaching experience, including experience at the K – 12 levels, is considered to be qualifying experience for the Astronaut Candidate position; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply.

3. Ability to pass the NASA long-duration space flight physical, which includes the following specific requirements:

Distant and near visual acuity: Must be correctable to 20/20, each eye

The refractive surgical procedures of the eye, PRK and LASIK, are allowed, providing at least 1 year has passed since the date of the procedure with no permanent adverse after effects. For those applicants under final consideration, an operative report on the surgical procedure will be requested.

Blood pressure not to exceed 140/90 measured in a sitting position

Standing height between 62 and 75 inches.

Notes on Space Flight Physical Requirements:

Since all crew members will be expected to fly aboard the Soyuz vehicle and perform Extravehicular Activities (space walks), applicants must meet the anthropometric requirements for both the Soyuz vehicle and the extravehicular activity mobility unit (space suit). Applicants brought in for interview will be evaluated to ensure they meet the anthropometric requirements.

Basic Education Requirement: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.

U.S. citizenship is required.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Applicants will be evaluated by an Astronaut Rating Panel based on the academic and work experience qualification requirements stated in this announcement. Eligible candidates will be placed in qualified and highly-qualified categories. Highly-qualified applicants will be evaluated by an Astronaut Selection Board based on the academic and work experience qualification requirements and suitability inquiries. Best qualified applicants will be interviewed. The finalists will be referred to the appropriate official who will recommend selection.

Go to the USAJobs.gov site if you need to punish yourself further.

OK, I expect at the very least BPD and Nobbles to apply. BPD doesn’t have a band any longer and Nobbles can have her dream of seeing Chinese Lanterns close up.

In fact, you can both do it as a mission for GT! Go through the program, take a couple of trips to Mars or something and then come back to file your report. Sound like a plan?