NASA accepting applicants in hopes of reaching Mars.

For the first time in four years, U.S. citizens with the right qualifications will have the chance to apply to obtain every child’s dream job. Until February 18, 2016, NASA is accepting applications to become an astronaut in the hopes of humans reaching Mars in the 2030’s.

NASA is hoping for a record breaking number of applicants. The last astronaut class of eight was choses from over 6,000 candidates. The ideal candidate is practically superhuman, needing exceptional education, extensive experience, incredible strength and nearly perfect health. Applicants are required to have a degree in Engineering, Biological Science, Physical Science, Computer Science, or Mathematics. In addition, three years or 1,000 hours of piloting an aircraft is required. However, it will take much more than this to be chosen. Past astronauts have been top of their class, won multiple combat awards or had masters or even doctorate degrees.

After the application process, highly qualified applications are selected for the interview process. The selection committee is searching for individuals with teamwork, decision making abilities and a passion for aviation. The applicants will also receive a medical evaluation and a rigorous physical test. In June 2017, the new astronauts will be announced.

The astronauts will spend about a year training for missions including travel to the International Space station via one of two commercial crew capsules, missions in the ISS, and an eventual journey to Mars aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft. The journey to Mars takes around eight months, and NASA plans for the astronauts to spend about 500 days looking for signs of life.

Since the Cold War era, NASA projects have been mainly out of the public eye. While the original Mercury 7 astronauts and many of NASA’s astronauts to come after were considered American heroes, and launches were largely televised, astronauts of the last couple decades have been almost unheard of. With the possibility of a journey to Mars, all of that may change.

According to CBS News, “‘Going to Mars, a human journey to Mars, I think absolutely is a renaissance. I think we’ve captivated not just the U.S. but the world,’ said NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman.”

With the possibility of life on Mars, NASA is searching for America’s best and brightest to make history in reaching the red planet.