Nasa launches hunt for new flight directors to send astronauts into space

'The job is tough, the responsibilities are immense, and the challenges can seem insurmountable. But the experiences and personal rewards are incredible'

NASA is hiring new flight directors to lead the teams of flight controllers that train, fly and support spacecraft from Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston (NASA)

Being an astronaut might be many children's most desired job. But there might be something a little more exciting: making sure astronauts are able to do their jobs.

Nasa is looking for flight directors, the staff who run the team of engineers and scientists who make sure spaceflight missions go to plan, it has announced. And it has put out an open call to anyone who might be interested.

You don't need a PhD in astrophysics, or to understand the deep mysteries of the universe that the space agency works to understand. But you do probably need one of the coolest heads in the galaxy: the job involves being responsible not just for space missions but the astronauts whose lives depend on them going well.

“Flight directors play a critical role in the success of our nation’s human spaceflight missions,” said Brian Kelly, director of Flight Operations at Johnson. “The job is tough, the responsibilities are immense, and the challenges can seem insurmountable. But the experiences and personal rewards are incredible.”

The candidates who are picked will oversee missions including those to the International Space Station, and eventually sending spacecraft to the Moon and onto Mars.

They'll do that by sitting at the top of teams made up of experts in flight control, research and engineering. They will have to make decisions to keep Nasa astronauts safe in space – making sure that they go up and come back down without problems, and are secure in the time between.

While that won't require astrophysics training, Nasa does ask applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree in a scientific subject such as engineering, biological science or computer science. They'll also need professional experience that has included "time-critical decision-making experience in high-stress, high-risk environments".

They also need to be US citizens, Nasa said.

Many of Nasa's flight directors come from its team of flight controllers, but that is not necessarily required.

Anyone who thinks they meet those criteria can apply on Nasa's website. It will announce its picks in mid-2018, when the successful applicants will head into intensive training.