Today is your last day to apply to be an astronaut

Children are so much more ambitious than adults. When you’re a kid no one informs you of the limitations you’ll likely face because of your gender, religion, intellect, looks or lack of coordination. The world is your oyster — until you start feeling the pain and isolation of rejection, of course.

Most childhood’s are filled with endless positive reinforcement. Childhood is probably the only time the ideal of the American Dream truly exists. You can be a race car driver, fighter pilot, NFL quarterback, runway model, garbage man, Fortune 500 CEO, Robin Hood or even an astronaut. If I may use another cliche: the sky is the limit.

Well, unfortunately the sky is falling rapidly for anyone still interested in becoming an astronaut. Today is the application deadline for the adventurous few who want to join NASA’s space program. Rational thought had led me to believe that astronauts were chosen from the elite ranks of our nation’s military. Who would have thought you could fill an application out online as though you were applying to be a contestant on “Survivor?”

With the uncertain future of the space program, NASA issued this glorified Craigslist ad in an effort to find interested parties to train to become astronauts, while knowing they may never reach space.

Do you dream of flying in space? Now is your chance. NASA is accepting applications for the agency’s next class for the Astronaut Candidate Program.

Starting today, qualified individuals can submit their applications through the federal government’s USAJobs.gov website. Those selected will be among the first to pioneer a new generation of commercial launch vehicles and travel aboard a new heavy-lift rocket to distant destinations in deep space.

“For 50 years, American astronauts have led the exploration of our solar system,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “Today we are getting a glimpse of why that will remain true for the next half-century. Make no mistake about it, human space flight is alive and well at NASA.”

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or math and three years of relevant professional experience. Successful applicants frequently have significant qualifications in engineering or science; or extensive experience flying high-performance jet aircraft. Educators teaching kindergarten through 12th grade with these minimimum degree requirements also are encouraged to apply.

NASA will accept applications through January 27, 2012. After applicant interviews and evaluations, the agency expects to announce the final selections in 2013. Training will begin that summer.

First of all it’s quite funny that NASA misspelled the word “minimum” in their press release, but I digress…

Today is everyone’s last chance to be an astronaut. After midnight you might as well forget that outer space exists, unless Newt Gingrich gets elected or you’re a millionaire and can afford a trip on one of those private flights. So if you happen to have the qualifications, or you’re an 8-year-old who thinks he or she has what it takes, stop what you’re doing, get out your favorite Crayola Crayon, and apply right now.

As for any child born tomorrow — tough luck.

[NASA.gov]