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As NASA plans its upcoming space missions to Mars and other locations, their search for new astronauts is in full force. The search will begin in December and doctors, scientists, pilots and engineers are being asked to submit their applications.

The candidates who are chosen for the missions will receive word in 2017, with a public announcement slated for the middle of the year. There are four different vehicles that applicants may have the opportunity to fly in: the two spacecraft that are designated for commercial crew members, the International Space Station and the NASA Orion deep space exploration vehicle.

Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator, says that the next generation of astronauts will be chosen with the planned Red Planet exploration in mind. The selected astronauts are also slated to fly from United States soil, on spacecraft that has been constructed at home.

They will also be expected to advance research studies, as well as scientific research. The boundaries of deep space technology will be pushed further outward by the new crop of astronauts and it should be noted that all applicants must meet certain educational requirements.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics institution is needed, in addition to at least three years of related responsible experience or 1,000 hours of flight (as pilot in command) time with jet aircraft.

NASA also requires applicants to pass their space flight physical and officials believe that this is one of the most exciting times to join the American human space flight program. A second RS-25 development engine has been successfully tested for the brand new Space Launch System that will be used in deep space missions, adding another level of intrigue to recent developments.