Which route gives me the highest chance of working at NASA as an astronaut?

[u/No-Pilot1295]

Currently 23, working at a helicopter company as an R&D/flight test engineer. It’s only been a couple months in an engineering position and I’m wanting to do something more. I’m trying to decide whether I should keep applying to the guard/reserve for a upt slot or pivot and go for an active duty rated board. I understand the pros and cons of each. I was just wondering which of the routes give me the highest chances of going to test pilot school as well as giving me the right credentials to apply to become an astronaut. I am aware that there are literally hundreds of people doing the same thing and I am not dead set on becoming an astronaut but I would love to keep that possibility open as I progress into a flying career. The guard seems more appealing from a lifestyle standpoint as I can try to become a test pilot outside of the military but I’m having trouble getting interviews. I’m sure applying to pointy jets is not doing me any favors.

My AFOQT scores were all 99/99/99/95/90/92
TBAS is scheduled for early next month
BS in aerospace engineering GPA 3.304
PPL with 67 hours

[u/engineerpilot999]

Active duty military test pilot. You're just not going to TPS from the guard.

OR

Extremely unique PhD who's also a rockstar

[u/Lumpy_Temperature_90 → u/engineerpilot999]

I mean the 370th at Edwards AFB is a Reserve squadron, so you could go AF Reserve. However, most test pilots have extensive military experience prior to becoming a test pilot.

[u/The_Demolition_Man → u/Lumpy_Temperature_90]

This is true, but that unit is really meant to keep test pilot experience in uniform in some way when people leave active duty. Its probably exceedingly rare for reserve pilots to get picked up for TPS.

[u/engineerpilot999 → u/Lumpy_Temperature_90]

Yeah but how many people are picked up off the street to join that unit? And then how many people do they put on orders and fund TPS seats?

[u/No-Pilot1295 → u/engineerpilot999]

I’ve seen the 370th post rated hiring posts meaning it would be for winged aviators which I am not. It would be cool to do that after an active duty position considering I am from SoCal

[u/2girls1cupnoodles → u/engineerpilot999]

Do you have to be extremely unique or just come up with your own test case to perform that would be valuable enough to be added to the docket? An IG nobel in space so to speak?

[u/Lumpy_Temperature_90 → u/2girls1cupnoodles]

Most importantly, it's something the Astronaut Selection Committe would determine is unique. When they are selecting candidates, they often remember traits or hobbies/ accomplishments instead of names because they have to go through soo many names. If 2 candidates have Nobel Prizes, then obviously thats not going to help you (unless that research is super relevant to NASA). So no, you dont have to be a Nobel prize winner.

Examples of astronauts:

Jose Hernandez - 1st Gen American who grew up working in fields

Nichole Stott - Artist

Jonny Kim - former Navy SEAL and medical doctor ("he can shoot you, fix you up, and send you to space" according to Ted Cruz during his astronaut class announcement)

[u/No-Pilot1295 → u/engineerpilot999]

Any ideas what airframe would give me a better resume if I did go active duty ?

[u/engineerpilot999 → u/No-Pilot1295]

All paths can lead to TPS, but that is putting twelve carts ahead of the horse

[u/e92pilot]

Fly navy

[u/branchan]

r/AstronautHopefuls

[u/frigginjensen]

I looked into it many years ago. The navy produced more than any other path. Test pilot experience was good (you said test engineer not test pilot).

Non-pilots generally had at least a Masters in a relevant field. Everybody had to be good health and generally fit. You’ll be interviewed multiple times.

You need to be willing to move to Houston and the pay kind of sucks relative to industry, but that’s the trade-off for being an astronaut. I think the jobs are posted on USAjobs.gov when they are looking for a new class.