Former NASA Astronauts Could Work For Bigelow Aerospace

Bigelow Aerospace is seeking to hire professional astronauts to consult on business development and eventually fly to their the commercial space stations.  The President's 2011 budget eliminates the new Constellation space program and makes commercial companies like Bigelow the sole provider of transportation for US astronauts after the Space Shuttle is retired.

Bigelow Aerospace is developing a commercial space station complex using inflatable modules initially researched and designed by NASA.  Bigelow partnered with Boeing to win $18 million to develop a capsule for commercial human spaceflight as a part of the NASA Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program.

According to a release from Bigelow Aerospace, the full-time positions require at least a four-year degree and 10-15 years of experience.  Astronauts from Russia, Europe, Japan or any other country may apply.

File Photo: Arists' Rendition Of Bigelow Complex

The job description states: "Qualified applicants need to have completed a training program from their government or recognized space agency and have at least some flight experience on a recognized space mission. Specialized training and/or experience (ie: Medical, Payload Specialist, EVA, Pilot, etc.) is not a prerequisite, but is definitely a plus."

Bigelow says job opportunities for the former civil servants could include:

On the Ground

• Working with Marketing Team to secure government and cooperate clients.
• Working with Design and Fabrication Teams to help optimize layout of systems for on-orbit serviceability and ergonomics.
• Working with Mission Control Team on final checkout of flight vehicles, both pre and post launch.
• Help Develop Astronaut training programs for Bigelow Aerospace Professional Astronaut Corps as well as Client Astronaut Corps.
• Work instructing in the Bigelow Astronaut Training Program

In Flight

• Perform as Professional Astronaut aboard Bigelow Aerospace Station Complex
• Manage all onboard aspects of employee and customer astronaut personal safety
• Maintain the Station Complex as required (mainly IVA, but some EVA as well)
• Help clients with payloads or experiments(primarily with regards to integration into station's systems and communications)

FMI www.bigelowaerospace.com