Astronauts

Only a very small number of people will ever be astronauts. In fact, there were more than 12,000 applicants for the 2021 astronaut candidate class, according to NASA. Only 12 candidates were accepted. The small number of astronauts is not likely to increase significantly in the near future, even with growth of the commercial space industry. The retirement of the space shuttle and lack of a ready replacement means that there are fewer opportunities for NASA astronauts in space. Additionally, space exploration is an expensive venture for the governments and private companies that fund it, and often the program does well to maintain current funding levels. Great increases in funding, which would allow for more astronauts, is highly unlikely. While the International Space Station has generated increased public interest and will likely continue to do so as discoveries are reported, the project still requires only a small number of astronauts at a time aboard the station.

Much of the demand will depend on the continued success of the space station, the types of manned spacecrafts that are developed and their missions, and the development of other programs and how quickly they are launched. The satellite communications business is expected to grow as private industry becomes more involved in producing satellites for commercial use. But these projects are not likely to change significantly the employment picture for astronauts in the immediate future.