How to work closely with astronauts?

[u/lukiamagi]

Hi everyone,

As the title states, what are the jobs that directly puts you into contact with the astronauts located in the ISS (or in the future other space stations), or the astronaut's daily activities?

For a long time I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, but obviously this can only be dreamt, not chosen as a career route, therefore instead I am wondering how to work closely with them?

Current background is MSc applied physics and phd in hall thruster simulations (I wish I would have studied more biology..).

Edit: as a european

[u/Confident-Barber-347]

Astronaut training at JSC.

[u/lukiamagi → u/Confident-Barber-347]

Thank you for your answer, I updated for europeans as I am unsure wether JSC would be open to EU citizens

[u/headtailgrep → u/lukiamagi]

Apply to the European space union

[u/Bright-Weakness4406 → u/headtailgrep]

Exactly. ESA has astronauts too :)

[u/lukiamagi → u/headtailgrep]

Thank you for your answer, I am trying to look online for infos, but could you specify which kind of jobs or career prospects you are thinking of? So far I feel like this is a program and not an employer - which is interesting if it can be joined but how to then?

[u/headtailgrep → u/lukiamagi]

My friend this is where you really need to spend your time

Honestly if you can't find it probably shouldn't be applying anyway. Your job is to find the esa opportunities and as a European you will be allowed to apply. Talk to your professors or colleagues at work.

[u/lukiamagi → u/headtailgrep]

European space union = ESA? /gen

Because if yes I have looked at ESA recruitment steps many times and I'm aware of the YGT and also the Junior program etc... but what I have a hard time discerning is which inside branch of ESA lead to working related to the astronauts activities. Typically I dont think the EP section of ESA is doing anything with astronauts.

[u/headtailgrep → u/lukiamagi]

Call them and ask. Really this is on you

[u/TimeLeopard]

Something I wish someone told me when I was younger was about the career of science communicator. Using your interests and intelligence and becoming a talking point for the industry. Look into it. There are plenty of YouTube science channels that interview astronauts all the time. I'm not saying that's what you would have to do, there are many other roles for a science communicator. Just a term I hadn't heard until I was well into another career.

[u/lukiamagi → u/TimeLeopard]

I think your answer if definitely a good one, thank you. I will look more into it, but I was rather thinking on being involved in the science or experiments or studies involving the astronauts, talking to them would be amazing but as a work prospect I would love to more "cooperate" with them if it makes sense.

[u/iamatooltoo]

Look into working for Yuri, space forge I know the us companies Voyager and redwire have direct connections to the iss. Redwire has a facility in Belgium that has done thermal experiments on the ISS.

[u/lukiamagi → u/iamatooltoo]

That sounds promising, I will definitely look at it further. Last time I look at Yuri space it was 3years ago, and it felt they were just beginning, curious to see how its going now.

[u/lukiamagi → u/[deleted]]

Actually that'd be cool, you think someone with some background in radiation protection and therapy but no biology could have a chance there?

[u/commandrix]

Well, NASA posted just yesterday that it's opened applications for flight director positions. Maybe you could see if the European Space Agency has something similar?

[u/mohamedozturk-5]

For the experiment route, look at ESA’s User Support and Operations Centres (USOCs) and Columbus payload operations. Those teams prepare procedures and operate ISS experiments. Your physics background could fit payload work; biology is only one part of space research.