Can Physicists Become Astronauts?

The first astronauts were military personnel who had experience flying jet aircraft and backgrounds in engineering. ... Back then, one qualification for scientist-astronauts was a doctorate in medicine, engineering or a natural science such as physics, chemistry or biology.

Can you be an astronaut with a physics degree?

Not every STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree will qualify you to be an astronaut. NASA is looking for people with a degree in engineering, biological science, physical science (like physics, chemistry or geology), computer science or mathematics.

Does NASA hire physicists?

Opportunities for physicists, astrophysicists and astronomers are expected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is significantly faster than employment in general. ... As with all jobs for physicists and astrophysicists, jobs at NASA are competitive, even for those with advanced degrees.