Back to: International Brand Ambassadors

A hallmark of AdvancingX is our Career Astronaut Competition. As a Lead Ambassador, you are likely to receive many questions about the structure and application process for this competition. Here is some important information to help answer those eventual questions. Selected candidates will take part in the largest optimal team design research and training to ever take place in the world. The competition involves training designed by NASA employees, AdvancingX team members, and astronaut trainers. Candidates will be challenged both as an individual and as a valued team member to take on challenges of extreme environments that will take them into extinct lava tunnels, remote research labs, and deep underwater space vehicle mock-ups. Candidates will learn team skills, survival strategies, and astronaut skills that will prepare them for spaceflight, like missions to suborbital space, the moon, Mars and beyond. Excitingly, the winning team will be selected for a mission to suborbital space!

AdvancingX actively seeks diverse candidates with a STEAM background to join our Career Astronaut competition for a chance to become an astronaut and experience space training, potential space travel and opportunities for space related careers! Career Astronauts are certified and ready to support this new commercial space era.

 

There are three ways one can join our team of spaceflight certified Career Astronauts:

1) Industry-Specific (12 months)

2) Military/Veteran (12 months)

3) Competition (part-time 5 years)

To find out more about the application process, requirements and further information you can visit AdvancingX at www.advancingx.com/CareerAstronauts and check out our recent post about the Career Astronaut Competition. To view some of our current Career Astronaut candidates check out our social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advancingx/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careerastronauts/

Many prospective applicants ask if there is an application deadline. Although we highly recommend submitting as soon as possible,  the great thing about the competition is that we accept applications on a rolling basis to accommodate for unique timelines and lifestyles. 

Here is a list of requirements that applicants must fulfill in order to be eligible for the Career Astronaut Competition: 

• Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree or are enrolled in any STEM or Arts degree program that will result in at least a Bachelor’s degree before or during the competition (i.e. engineering, biology, mathematics, etc.)
• Must be physically fit for space and able to pass a physical exam
• Must obtain Scuba Certification prior to start of competition
• Must be able to lift 30 lbs
• Must complete at least three years of work related experience in chosen field of study before or during the competition (part-time is acceptable)
• Must be free from any disease, psychiatric disorders, dependency on drugs, alcohol or tobacco
• Must have the normal range of motion and functionality in all joints
• Must have visual acuity in both eyes of 100% (20/20) either uncorrected or corrected with lenses or contact lenses
• Must demonstrate cognitive, mental and personality capabilities to enable him/her to work efficiently in an intellectually and socially highly demanding environment
• Foreign language skills a plus
• Must be at least 18 years of age

To apply, here’s what we’ll need from applicants:

• Describe in 500 words or less why you want to be a Career Astronaut
• Attach your most current resume
• A copy of your most recent unofficial transcripts (Minimum requirement is 3.0 GPA) Countries that do not use the GPA system are OK to apply

 

Here is an overview of the Career Astronaut application process so you are prepared to answer questions from applicants:

Candidate Process Step 1:  Application and Supporting Documents

The tasks will consist of the following:

• A short essay (in 500 words or less) of why they’d like to become a Career Astronaut
• A copy of their most current resume
• A copy of their most recent unofficial transcripts (Minimum requirement is 3.0 GPA) Countries that do not use the GPA system are OK to apply

Please note that any information regarding access to this portal (i.e., password resets, etc) will come from [email protected]. If you have any questions, you may engage directly with us at [email protected].

Candidate Process Step 2: Online Social Media

Career Astronauts are role models for others to pursue their dreams whether it’s a career in space or helping others to succeed. Applicants are required to share their enthusiasm with others in the online community by leveraging social media.

The following is an overview of what applicants will be required to complete:

• Create and post at least a 30 second video using any social media platforms they have available. 
• The video should mention the Career Astronaut Competition, but most importantly it should tell a story about what they’re doing, a story that should inspire others to pursue their dreams.
• Include hashtags #AdvancingX, #Careerastronauts and @CareerAstronauts in the context when the video is posted
• When they receive at least 100 “likes” on their posted video, they let us know by sending us an email ([email protected]) and we can take a look (There is no time limit to complete this task)

The purpose for making a video and sharing it through social media is to inspire thousands of others to pursue their dreams that they may think to be unachievable! Applicants put themselves out there to benefit others. This is exactly the type of strength we are looking to have on our teams. Click here for an example of a Career Astronaut Candidate application post to social media (Credit: Carolyn Cunningham). 

Candidate Process Step 3: Community Sponsorship Engagement. 

This step helps to build the future for others who aspire to go to space.

This is the final task in the application process. Although successful completion of this final task does not guarantee applicants will be selected as candidates, it is what makes the Career Astronaut Competition possible. Community Sponsorship engagement helps to raise awareness about STEM and Space exploration. Together we open the doors of opportunity by inviting small business owners to get involved with a $500 one-time sponsorship. Whether you’re helping to raise awareness for breast cancer, animal adoption, or environmental impact, community sponsorships play a vital role. Here’s a list of some of our sponsors www.AdvancingX.com/sponsors/

“It’s great to know that I can support the Career Astronaut Competition and inspire others to pursue STEM Education…I’m sponsoring the program so that space is open to everyone” – R.R., Business Owner, California

Applicants are instructed to connect with the business community, share their experiences and rally support. Please advise them not to use social media for this task.

After the business owner agrees to either accept your sponsorship, become the sponsor or split the sponsorship with the applicant, they can use the following link to complete the sponsorship process: https://advancingx.com/product/career-astronaut-sponsorship/

Here’s a copy of the sponsorship information that business sponsor will see when they click on the link above:

Thank you for supporting the Career Astronaut Competition. Over the next 5 years hundreds of Career Astronaut Candidates from countries around the world will compete for a chance to go to space. These incredible Career Astronaut Candidates represent a symbol of hope that serves to inspire others to pursue their STEM and STEAM education. They are part of a global movement which illustrates that you don’t need to be a billionaire or millionaire to go to space. All you need is the drive to get involved, engage with the community and make a difference by working together as a team.There are many tasks and challenges that Career Astronaut Candidates will endure, including volunteering their time with the community through social engagement projects like helping to bring awareness to animals that need adoption or speaking at a college or school to share wisdom and encouragement. As a sponsor of the Career Astronaut Competition you are inspiring young minds to continue with their education and to apply their knowledge to something meaningful. You help to inspire global collaboration and you pave the way for anyone to have access to space exploration.As a thank you for your support of the Career Astronaut Competition your business name (or personal name if requested) will be listed on our sponsorship page at advancingx.com/sponsors for a minimum of 12 months.

After these steps are complete, the applicant is contacted by the AdvancingX team to schedule an interview, after which the final decision is made as to whether they have been accepted as Career Astronauts.  

The Online Training Program

The Career Astronaut Competition requires the successful completion of both the Application (previously described) and at least 12 months of the Career Astronaut Online Training Course, which is currently being rolled out at a current sale price of $95/month. Applicants are able to complete the online course during the Career Astronaut application process, during Customized Training, or when are selected as a Career Astronaut Candidate for the Competition. Although completion of this online course does not guarantee applicants will be selected as a Career Astronaut Candidate, the knowledge gained through will better prepare them for the Career Astronaut Candidate interview and success in the space field.

These online courses prepare applicants for the physical training, advanced courses and expectations of becoming a Career Astronaut. Every 30-days a new section will become available. Here is a brief overview of what the monthly online courses include:

• Orientation
• Space Psychology
• Team Psychology
• Aerospace Systems
• Space Physiology
• Environmental Survival
• Physical/Mental Training
• Spacesuits and Life Support Systems
• Space Vehicle Procedural Training
• Long Duration Space Flight
• Working in Simulated Microgravity (Neutral Buoyancy)
• Habitats and Lava Tunnel Enclosures

 

Here’s an overview of the Career Astronaut Spaceflight training stages (both online and in person):

Training Summary

• Career Astronaut Spaceflight Certification
• Organizational Team Index (OTI) Evaluation at all stages

Training Stage 1

• Orientation
• Mental/Physical Assessment

Training Stage 2

• High Stress Operations

Training Stage 3

• Environmental Survival 
• Aerospace Systems 

Training Stage 4

• Space Physiology 
• Emergency Egress

Training Stage 5

• High Altitude Training
• Microgravity Ops 

Training Stage 6

• Flight Loads Exposure
• Vehicle Procedural Training 

Training Stage 7

• Spacesuit Ops 
• Long Duration Spaceflight

Training Stage 8

• High Stress Operations 201
• Environmental Survival 201

Training Stage 9

• Aerospace Systems 201
• Microgravity Ops 201

Training Stage 10

• Spacesuit Ops 201
• Vehicle Procedural Training 201

Training Stage 11

• Flight Loads Exposure 201
• Long Duration Spaceflight 201

At the completion of Stage 11,  applicants are a Spaceflight Certified Career Astronaut who is ready for a spaceflight mission.

Training stages 12 through 16 are for assigned Missions:

Training Stage 12

• TBD by Mission Objectives

Training Stage 13 – Mission Training

• Astronaut Consulting and Mission Training Oversight for flight ready candidates
• Mission Ops Training provided by outside consultant
  • Astronaut Specific Task assignments while onboard the ISS
• Identify primary flight and secondary flight astronauts

Stage 14 – Flight to ISS, Lunar Mission, Mars Mission, Gateway Mission

• Active Flight Mission
• AdvancingX supports NASA in monitoring and assessing individual health, team performance and documentation of experiences
• Document and evaluate results against training expectations
• Deliver team performance results

Stage 15 – Mission

• Active ISS Mission Ops, Lunar Ops, Mars, Ops, Gateway Ops
• AdvancingX supports NASA in monitoring and assessing individual health, team performance and documentation of experiences
• Document performance outcomes and evaluate results against training expectations
• Deliver team performance results

(mission duration subject to space organizational needs)

Stage 16 – Return Flight & Post Mission

• Evaluate and document Career Astronaut well-being upon return to Earth
• Evaluate and document Career Astronaut physical and psychological health and well-being
• Evaluate and document Career Astronaut debriefing post spaceflight
• Evaluate performance expectations against training expectations and outcomes
• Deliver team performance results