NASA's astronaut training program is an incredibly difficult, exclusive, exhausting, intensive, and utterly rewarding program. To begin with, every two years, out of tens of thousands of applicates, 100 men and women are chosen to come and train. To even apply one must meet a number of basic qualification requirements. A bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics is required. A graduate degree is desired, although not essential. The applicant must have had at least l,000 hours flying time in jet aircraft. Experience as a test pilot is desirable, but not required. All applicants -- pilots and missions specialists -- must be citizens of the United States. Physically, an applicant must pass a strict physical examination and have a distant visual acuity no greater than 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Blood pressure, while sitting, must be no greater than 140 over 90. An applicant also must also be from 64" to 76" tall. For one year, the candiate will be undertake classes of advanced maths and sciences, hands on training, underwater simulations, physical and mentals endurance tests, and the famous really fast chair going round thingy... However, the life of an astronaut has its drawbacks, expect no extraordinary wages, salary starts at $38,000 and will hit a maxium of $78,000. The hours are long, often from 7am to 11pm. The life of a astronaut is lonly, both in space and here on earth. Gleamed this information from a wonderful website of NASA's : http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/academy/astronauts/training.html Enjoy!