Space Training for my Son.... need help

[rahulgupta]

My 13-year-old is fascinated by space. He keeps talking about being an astronaut and walking on moon . Is there any way I can groom him in this aspect?

[CaptainPanic]

Make sure he studies hard! If he excels in a certain field, then he might be invited by some space agency to do a job in space.

 

Step 1 is studying. The actual aspects of becoming an astronaut will come later.

 

Often astronauts are specifically good in some field (biology, chemistry) and are sent to space to do an experiment there. The days that astronauts were just really good (test)pilots are over. Obviously, also a spacecraft needs a pilot, so it might still be a good move to also be able to fly.

[DrP]

I believe physical fitness is important as well as very acedemic performance.

[ajb]

Being realistic, very few people become astronauts. A more achievable goal would to be involved in "space science", be that astronomy, cosmology, satellite engineering, aeronautics, aerospace things like that.

[padren]

I do wonder how much "piloting" will be a factor after the space shuttle is retired. I'd imagine docking in space would be a lot more like driving on very very slippery ice.

 

When I was twelve this was my favorite book, though it covers very old tech, naturally.

 

You can point him towards simulators, there are some pretty sophisticated flight sim games out there these days (far more sim than game), but I have no idea what would be cutting edge on the realistic space sim front anymore.

 

 

I have to admit I don't have much in the way of good advice... if it was me I'd take him on lots of roller coasters that do all that heavy g force stuff, and make sure he emphasized athletics, perhaps swimming (lower chances of hope dashing injury).

 

Extra curricular activities would be good, but I have no idea what to emphasize. I wouldn't even know what to recommend to get into Harvard, and there are far more new Harvard students each year than astronauts.

 

However, who knows where things will be in the next decade or so - can't hurt to push for the edge and see what meets you when you get there.

[D H]

First things first: Your son *must* have a backup plan. The odds of becoming an astronaut are very small. The odds are even worse elsewhere. Canada is in the midst of choosing new astronauts. 5,352 Canadians applied for the two (maybe three) slots available.

 

What you want for a backup plan is something that (a) will give your son a meaningful career as a non-astronaut, and (b) drastically tilt the odds in his favor. Three essentials: a technical degree with outstanding grades from an outstanding school, physical fitness, and leadership skills.

 

What your son can do now and in the near future:

1. Eagle scout. A significant percentage of astronauts are Eagles.

2. Organized sports. An even great percentage played some sport in high school.

3. Honors classes. He needs to get in a very, very good school.

4. Solid A's in all classes. See above.

5. Math, science, or engineering. Basket weaving is not a good route to becoming an astronaut.

6. Learn to fly. Essential for becoming a pilot-astronaut, a plus for becoming a mission specialist.

7. JROTC, if he is of that bent. NASA still has a preference for military experience.

 

Longer term, college. He must aim for either one of the military academies (West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs) or a very top-notch technical school (MIT, Stanford, Ivy League, Georgia Tech (aerospace engineering), a smattering of others.) A technical degree is essential. Aerospace engineering is one obvious choice, but not the only one.

 

Accomplishing the above will vastly increase the odds of your son becoming an astronaut and vastly increase the odds of your son becoming a success should he fail to become an astronaut (or decide that becoming an astronaut was just a childhood wish).

Edited January 19, 2009 by D H

[padren]

I wonder if we could google out some modern astronaut resumes, just to see what it took for them to get accepted at the time.

[ydoaPs]

First things first: Your son *must* have a backup plan. The odds of becoming an astronaut are very small. The odds are even worse elsewhere. Canada is in the midst of choosing new astronauts. 5,352 Canadians applied for the two (maybe three) slots available.

 

What you want for a backup plan is something that (a) will give your son a meaningful career as a non-astronaut, and (b) drastically tilt the odds in his favor. Three essentials: a technical degree with outstanding grades from an outstanding school, physical fitness, and leadership skills.

 

What your son can do now and in the near future:

1. Eagle scout. A significant percentage of astronauts are Eagles.

2. Organized sports. An even great percentage played some sport in high school.

3. Honors classes. He needs to get in a very, very good school.

4. Solid A's in all classes. See above.

5. Math, science, or engineering. Basket weaving is not a good route to becoming an astronaut.

6. Learn to fly. Essential for becoming a pilot-astronaut, a plus for becoming a mission specialist.

7. JROTC, if he is of that bent. NASA still has a preference for military experience.

What about Space Camp?

 

Longer term, college. He must aim for either one of the military academies (West Point, Annapolis, or Colorado Springs) or a very top-notch technical school (MIT, Stanford, Ivy League, Georgia Tech (aerospace engineering), a smattering of others.) A technical degree is essential. Aerospace engineering is one obvious choice, but not the only one.

I thought a lot of American astronauts went to Purdue.

[D H]

I wonder if we could google out some modern astronaut resumes, just to see what it took for them to get accepted at the time.

 

The last astronaut class was selected in 2004. You can see their bios here: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/04class.html. This class of 19 included 3 educator-astronauts and 3 international astronauts. Ignoring those six, *all* have an advanced degree. The competition is incredibly steep. One has a PhD and an MD. Another is a former Navy SEAL who won two Bronze Stars and went to the Naval Academy (mathematics) and MIT (ocean engineering).

 

 

Special for yourdad: None went to Purdue.

 

Edit

Special for yourdad: One of the AsCans 2000 did go to Purdue! http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/feustel-aj.html. How did NASA let this guy slip in?

Edited January 19, 2009 by D H

[harish.hebbar]

Well, he is too young to be taught about space now. However, as he grows up you can guide him to focus more on science and technology.

[iNow]

Well, he is too young to be taught about space now. However, as he grows up you can guide him to focus more on science and technology.

 

Harish - Your first comment is completely invalid. People are NEVER too young to begin learning about something, so long as it's presented properly. Don't start with an assumption that a child CAN'T learn and work from that... that will always fail, and it will do nothing but decrease that childs ultimate potential. Start with the assumption that a child CAN learn and do what you can to make it so.

[D H]

Taking iNow's response one step further: 13 is too late to start learning about science. Fortunately, our education system knows this. We start teaching kids about science a lot earlier than that, and the space program is used as one of the vehicles for this teaching. One of NASA's mandates is to aid in the education of youth regarding science and technology. NASA targets the entire K-12 spectrum.

[rahulgupta]

Thank you all for your responses, i am greatly benefiting from this discussion.

 

iNow - agree with you... if i discourage him now, he'll never want to learn to learn anything new....

 

DH - Thank you for all the information you gave, will be really helpful.

 

ydoaPs - Are there any space camps for kids?

[AlokPandey]

You can teach him about space in a manner which he’ll enjoy and understand. For instance there’s Space Camp in India, they take kids to the US Space and Rocket Centre at Huntsville. There they are given hands-on astronaut training. They are also taught basic mathematics and physics related to the space. I think your kid will love the experience and this will also help him gain confidence and conviction for his future. Here’s their link http://www.spacecampindia.com . Best of luck!

[Reaper]

Taking iNow's response one step further: 13 is too late to start learning about science.

 

No it's not. I didn't really start learning about science until I was about 15 or 16 yrs of age (well, actually I didn't start really get serious about school in general up until that time...), and I made it to a top notch science/tech school and have plenty of companies looking my way for hire and internship...

 

 

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If you really want any good and useful advice, the best way is just simply to cultivate his interest as much as you can, such as letting him go to the Space Academy (or if that is too expensive, then take him to a planetarium or something...)

 

As well, try and push him to do very well in school especially in math and science. If he is seriously considering becoming an astronaut the two things they look for the most are good grades (especially in science) and military training (especially if you were part of the Air Force).

 

Of course, it has been stated above that the chances of becoming an astronaut are very small, but even if he doesn't get to go, he will still have the option of pursuing a career in space science. (or just science in general)

[CaptainPanic]

No it's not. I didn't really start learning about science until I was about 15 or 16 yrs of age (well, actually I didn't start really get serious about school in general up until that time...), and I made it to a top notch science/tech school and have plenty of companies looking my way for hire and internship...

I agree.

If you're 12-13 years old, and you never learned any math and never played with Lego yet, then it's probably too late... but in order to enroll at a technical university, you just need to follow school, enjoy Lego and be generally motivated and interested. No need to be a rocket scientist at the age of 12.

 

I don't think it's uncommon to start physics, biology at 13, chemistry at 14 or something. At least, not in the Dutch school system. And anyway, in our system, you can't really work with physics a lot unless you understand basic algebra. (Personally, I disagree with that: I believe that math shouldn't be taught as a separate subject, but should be taught integrated with physics and should at all times be applied - it also doesn't make sense to explain the working of a hammer if somebody is not familiar with a "nail", does it?)

[nitric]

most subjects can and will be integrated into math like physics and chemistry. Truly its never too, too old or young to learn about science as long as your interested in it. The only reasons im "into" science is because im interested in it. you just have to introduce it as interesting as possible for them to learn.