NASA is looking to hire the "new generation of space pioneers" for a truly out-of-this-world job.
As the space agency gears up for a possible Mars mission, it's looking for aspiring astronauts to make the journey.
In a video posted on Twitter, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden encourages "new generation of space pioneers" to apply for NASA's astronaut class.
The agency's online job posting says it is looking for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including pilots, engineers, scientists, and doctors.
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics and an advanced degree is preferable.
NASA also requires at least three years of related experience, or at least 1,000 hours of "pilot-in-command time" in a jet aircraft.
And applicants must be able to pass the agency's rigorous space flight physical exam.
Successful candidate could end up on one of four different space vessels, NASA says, including the International Space Station, two commercial crew spacecraft currently in development, and NASA's Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.
Responding to questions on Twitter, NASA's @NASA_Astronauts account said there are no age requirements to apply for the mission.
The account also sent tweets explaining:
- Astronauts applications usually open up every couple of years, depending on mission needs
- Applicants are allowed to apply more than once if they don't get in on their first try
- Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to have perfect 20/20 vision to be an astronaut. Since 2007, NASA has also accepted applicants who have had corrective laser eye surgeries.
- You also don't have to hold a PhD to be an astronaut, but, in the past, nine per cent of NASA astronauts were doctors of medicine
