Space travel's paradigm shift alters paths for astronauts

By Richard Brill

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 19, 2011

~~<p>Beginning with selection of the first astronauts in 1959 before human spaceflight operations began, NASA asked the military services to provide a list of personnel who met specific qualifications. After stringent screening they selected seven men, all pilots, as the first American astronauts.</p>
<p>Since then some 3,500 men and women have gone through the lengthy and rigorous training and NASA has admitted only 330 astronauts.</p>
~~

Beginning with selection of the first astronauts in 1959 before human spaceflight operations began, NASA asked the military services to provide a list of personnel who met specific qualifications. After stringent screening they selected seven men, all pilots, as the first American astronauts.

Since then some 3,500 men and women have gone through the lengthy and rigorous training and NASA has admitted only 330 astronauts. Login for more...