Question: How much money do you get??

Andrew Winnard answered on 15 Dec 2015:

Here is an astronaut job advert that is open right now:

Job Title: Astronaut Candidate
Department: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Agency: Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Job Announcement Number: JS16A0001

SALARY RANGE:
$66,026.00 to $144,566.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD:
Monday, December 14, 2015 to Thursday, February 18, 2016
SERIES & GRADE:
GS-0801-11/14
POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time – Permanent
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
15
DUTY LOCATIONS:
Few vacancies in the following location:
Houston, TX View Map
WHO MAY APPLY:
This announcement is open to all qualified U.S. citizens.
SECURITY CLEARANCE:
Not Applicable
SUPERVISORY STATUS:
No
JOB SUMMARY:

About the Agency

NASA is accepting applications for a new class of astronauts. Today, more new human spacecraft are in development in the United States (U.S.) than at any time in history, and future Astronaut Candidates will have the opportunity to explore farther in space than humans have ever been.

The next class of astronauts may fly on any of four different U.S. spacecraft during their careers: the International Space Station (ISS), two new commercial spacecraft being built by U.S. companies, and NASA’s Orion deep-space exploration vehicle. NASA is in the midst of an unprecedented transition to using commercial spacecraft for its scheduled crew and cargo transport to the ISS. For the last 15 years, humans have been living continuously aboard the orbiting laboratory, expanding scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies. Future crewmembers will continue this work.

Additionally, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft, now in development, will launch astronauts on missions to the proving ground of lunar orbit where NASA will learn to conduct complex operations in a deep space environment before moving on to longer duration missions on the journey to Mars.

To date, NASA has selected more than 300 astronauts to fly on its increasingly challenging missions to explore space and benefit life on Earth. More will be needed to crew future ISS missions, as well as, the missions beyond low earth orbit.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
This is a drug-testing designated position
Frequent travel may be required
Selectee must pass a pre-employment medical examination
Selectee must complete a financial disclosure statement

DUTIES:

Astronauts are involved in all aspects of training for and conducting operations in space, including on the ISS, on Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and in the development and testing of future spacecraft. This includes extravehicular activities (EVA), robotics operations using the remote manipulator system, the ability to operate and conduct research experiments, the ability to operate as a safe member of an aircraft crew (including flight planning and communications), and spacecraft maintenance activities. Astronauts also participate in mission simulations to help themselves and flight controllers in the Mission Control Center operate in the dynamic environment of low earth orbit. Additionally, astronauts serve as the public face of NASA, providing appearances across the country, and sharing NASA’s discoveries and goals.

Long-duration missions aboard the ISS generally last from three to six months. Training for long-duration missions is very arduous and takes approximately two to three years. This training requires extensive travel, including long periods away in other countries training with NASA’s international partners.