Shuttle launch STS-118 today

SideWinder · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:53

How much do you earn a year being an astronaut?

Berserker · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:54

dbmzk1 said:
Never get bored of watching that.

It's so impressive, but I guess still kind of sad that it's all still so complex.

You've only got just over two years left, then it's bye bye Space Shuttle.

I'd love to see a launch in person, but I've tried once and it was delayed. Not sure I can afford to try again.

gizmoy2k · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:54

OMG they are running XP there!

Its coming up to South of UK look up everyone

lemonkettaz · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:54

SideWinder said:
How much do you earn a year being an astronaut?

Id do it for min wage tbh...

living in space for weeks at a time.. epic

SideWinder · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:55

gizmoy2k said:
OMG they are running XP there!

Mm, Vista isn't stable enough.

Dogoid · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:55

SideWinder said:
How much do you earn a year being an astronaut?

unlimited blondes

Azagoth · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:55

SideWinder said:
How much do you earn a year being an astronaut?

NASA said:
Q. What is an astronaut's salary?
A. Salaries for civilian Astronaut Candidates are based on the Federal Government's General Schedule pay scale for grades GS-12 through GS-13. Each person's grade is determined according to his/her academic achievements and experience. Currently, a GS-12 starts at $65,140 per year and a GS-13 can earn up to $100,701 per year.

Military Astronaut Candidates are assigned to the Johnson Space Center and remain in an active duty status for pay, benefits, leave, and other similar military matters.

So I guess being a civilian candidate is the better option!

Berserker · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:55

gizmoy2k said:
OMG they are running XP there!

Yup - upgraded last year. Was Windows 2000 before that. Quite a few Linux boxes around too. Most of the laptops onboard the shuttle and ISS also run Windows XP and Microsoft Office. :eek:

Slinwagh · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:56

Shuttle is approaching the southwest tip of England now.

gizmoy2k · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:57

Its over Cornwall now

Larnica · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:57

Awesome launch!!!

Hoping I can see it tomorrow, not sure if it will be visible to the naked eye though?

Mik3 · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:57

Its just passing over south UK

Gonzo0 · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:57

Lol i bet microsoft are not happy that they are using their latsest OS

lemonkettaz · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:57

What skills would you need?

do they have to be airforce pilots first?

Jimbeam3678 · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:58

gizmoy2k said:
Its over Cornwall now

did you see it?

Slinwagh · 8 Aug 2007 at 23:59

lemonkettaz said:
What skills would you need?

do they have to be airforce pilots first?

I think it has changed very much now, in years gone by I think it was the case that shuttle crew were military personnel, not so much nowadays as they are scientists etc.

lemonkettaz · 9 Aug 2007 at 00:00

Hmm..

im guessing you still need to be top of the class in everything to get a slim chance?

Gonzo0 · 9 Aug 2007 at 00:02

lemonkettaz said:
Hmm..

im guessing you still need to be top of the class in everything to get a slim chance?

Nah i heard a few c's and a couple of d's and you can be an astronaught.

Or am i thinking of a russian cosmonaught hehe those ruskys

lemonkettaz · 9 Aug 2007 at 00:03

Berserker · 9 Aug 2007 at 00:18

I think you're thinking of cosmonauts tbh. Or space tourists.

Science-related degree is a must-have. Several science-related degrees with the odd Ph.D thrown in would be even better.

Gonzo0 said:
Lol i bet microsoft are not happy that they are using their latsest OS

Given how old the in-flight laptops are, it's more surprising they got them to run XP. To give you an idea, NASA have been known to scour eBay looking for parts for them.