AF nominates 111 for astronaut candidate program Published May 8, 2012 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas -- The Air Force has nominated 111 Airmen for the 2012 NASA Astronaut Candidate Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The Air Force candidate selection panel met in April to review 192 applications, selecting 110 officers, ranging from captain to colonel, and one senior master sergeant. Those nominees will compete with other service nominees and civilian applicants for astronaut candidate positions, said Howard Peterson, AFPC assignments directorate. "Some nominees will be invited to the Johnson Space Center in Houston for interviews, physical examinations, and familiarization," said Peterson. "Commanders need to make sure their nominees are available to meet the NASA interview timelines." Candidates selected for the NASA program will be detailed to the Johnson Space Center astronaut office for a one-year candidacy program. They will enter the basic astronaut training program, contributing to the development of new NASA launch vehicles and spacecraft, while participating in planning for future human exploration operations. Upon successful completion of the one-year training and evaluation period, Airman astronauts will have a five-year tour of duty with NASA, Peterson explained. The program is very challenging, so getting to this point in the process required that candidates be rigorously screened and vetted, said Peterson. "Just to be eligible for consideration, members must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited higher institution in engineering, mathematics, biological science, or physical science. The quality of academic preparation is critical," he said. "Astronaut candidates are challenged intellectually and physically, so only the most qualified will make the cut." In addition to the right degree, Peterson said, each candidate must have at least three years of post-graduate completion of progressively responsible, professional experience or a minimum of 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command of a jet aircraft. Finalists will be identified in December, and those selected will begin the program in August 2013. For more information about the astronaut candidate program, as well as information about other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.