Age
Timing is an important part of astronaut selection, but also one you have no control over. For an individual to apply for astronaut selection, they need to meet the minimum requirements for qualifications (see article: 2. Academic Qualifications) and professional experience (see article: 3. Professional Experience), however they also need to be within the stipulated or acceptable age bracket. Therefore, you cannot be too young, where you do not possess the qualifications and experience, and you cannot be too old, where you are over the maximum age or the medical becomes more difficult to pass.
When are astronaut selections held?
Some space agencies have astronaut selections on a regular basis, so it is relatively predictable when the next might occur (e.g., NASA). However, others are conducted on a more ad-hoc basis (e.g., CNSA) and it is therefore more difficult to understand when it may occur. The predicted next selections are outlined below:
Russia: ROSCOSMOS
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2003, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2018
Average years between selections: 4-5 years
Next predicted selection: 2022-2023 (overdue)
Saudi Arabia: Saudi Space Agency (SSA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2023
Average years between selections: -
Next predicted selection: Expected 2024
United States of America (USA): National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2000, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021
Average years between selections: 3-4 years
Next predicted selection: 2024/2025
United Arab Emirates (UAE): The United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2018, 2021
Average years between selections: 3 years
Next predicted selection: 2024
Canada: Canadian Space Agency (CSA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2009, 2017
Average years between selections: 8 years
Next predicted selection: 2025
China: China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2010, 2020, 2022
Average years between selections: 7-8 years
Next predicted selection: 2029-2030
Countries that are ESA Member States and Associate Members: European Space Agency (ESA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2009, 2022
Average years between selections: 13 years
Next predicted selection: Expected / 2029 (information from ESA)
Note: European Space Agency astronaut selection is open to Nationals from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (ESA Member States), plus Slovenia and Latvia (Associate Members).
Japan: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: 2009, 2023
Average years between selections: 14 years
Next predicted selection: 2037
Other countries
Previous Astronaut Selection Dates: Multiple other space agencies have had a single selection, and therefore it is difficult to predict the next opportunity.
Why do space agencies have an age limit?
The time period between being successful at astronaut selection and going on a mission can be as short as 5 - 8 years, or as long as 13 - 17 years (see article: astronaut training timelines).
Based on the timeframes mentioned for when the next space agency selection may occur, and how long basic, advanced, and mission specific preparations take, it’s easy to calculate what age you might be before going on a single mission.
An astronaut is also required to do multiple missions, to make sure the cost, time, and expertise that is invested into training them is worthwhile. It takes 1.5 – 2.5 years to prepare for a single mission, and a mission could be 6 months in duration.
So why is this a problem, when the oldest person to go to space was 77 years old?
The main issue with increased age is declining physical health. An example of this are markers of cardiovascular disease (e.g., Coronary artery calcification, where for the general population, the risk increases consistently with age.
Whilst this isn’t an inevitability, particularly for those who maintain a high level of fitness and consistently have a very healthy diet, it is likely based on clinical studies.
In addition, aspects of brain function, known as cognitive performance, are known to decline with age (e.g., speed of processing and working memory). A healthy lifestyle is also known to have a positive influence on brain function.
What are the age limits for application?
- United States of America (USA): National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - No age limit
- Japan: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) - No age limit
- Canada: Canadian Space Agency (CSA) - No age limit
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA) - Minimum of 18 years old
- China: China National Space Administration (CNSA) - Between 25 – 35 years old
- Russia: ROSCOSMOS - Maximum of 35 years old
- Countries that are ESA Member States and Associate Members: European Space Agency (ESA) - Maximum of 50 years old
- Other countries: Other Space Agencies - No other space agencies have stipulated a minimum or maximum age requirement
