NASA has opened the application process for people interested in becoming astronauts, including on future missions to Mars.
The U.S. space agency started accepting applications the week of Dec. 13, about a month after first announcing the openings.
Prospective astronauts need to be U.S. citizens and pass an intense physical.
Other than that, they need just two things—a bachelor’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, or math; and three years or more of related professional experience or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft.
Pay starts at $66,000 a year and can go as high as $144,566.
NASA’s top officials hope a record-breaking number of Americans apply to be part of the astronaut class of 2017.
A Martian landscape. NASA
