mca62511 t1_j27l1eh wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:27 AM

As a former "wanted-to-be-an-astronaut-when-a-teenager" myself who is now in my mid-thirties and very much not an astronaut:

Do it.

You know the percentage of people who try to become an astronaut and succeed? I don't. It's probably not high, but I know it is above 0%.

You know the percentage of people who secretly wish to become an astronaut but never do anything about it who go on to become an astronaut? That one definitely is 0%.

I feel like one of my bigger mistakes in life was listening to all the adults saying, "You shouldn't try to become an X because very few people succeed." Yeah, but if the people who did succeed listened to that advice, they wouldn't be where they are today. The only way you can succeed at those difficult-to-achieve-goals is to put your whole life into it. You can't succeed at them by making them the backup "maybe someday" options.

And you know what? You can fail at doing the "safe" option too. You can go get a business degree and still end up in a minimum wage job in your 30s.

At least fail at trying to achieve something you love. You might even succeed!

MisFitLoves OP t1_j27lp2u wrote on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 AM

Thank you alot this really helped me because i live in the middle of no where and doubt myself constantly and as other people have said even if i dont get into space ill still have qualifications for other jobs i would love to do!

djlawson1000 t1_j27ono5 wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:03 AM

Lots of astronauts have come from homes “in the middle of nowhere”. If this is truly something you want, then I would say absolutely begin now. Prioritize your studies and your physical fitness. Read books about astronauts and how they got to where they are. You need to understand, this is a lofty goal, but the fact that you’re only 15 and thinking about this is an excellent start. If you work hard, make good choices, and surround yourself with people that can help you, I believe you can make something great of yourself. There’s no better time to start on your dreams then right now!

on_island_time t1_j27orvi wrote on December 30, 2022 at 6:04 AM

You should read Homer Hickham's biography Rocket Boys if you haven't. He grew up in a coal mining family and went on to become a NASA engineer, it can be done.