How do I become an astronaut?

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered what it might be like to be an astronaut and how you'd go about it?

The National Careers Service has the answer.

It has released a profile on its website that explains the practical steps to becoming a bona fide space explorer.

But it's no easy feat. From learning Russian to flying planes, this job isn't for the faint hearted and it's not like you can easily get work experience, not really.

"Becoming an astronaut is neither simple nor straightforward," the European Space Agency (ESA) warns.

Read on to find out what the UK government says it takes to become a full-time astronaut.

What do I need to do to become an astronaut?

According to the National Careers Service (NCS), most astronauts will need a university degree in a science subject.

Those subjects could include:

• biology, chemistry or physics

• engineering

• medicine

• aeronautics

• mathematics

It is likely an astronaut will also need to have a follow up degree to their first one, known as a postgraduate degree, "post" meaning after.

British astrophysicist Rosemary Coogan was selected to be an astronaut in the European Space Agency's 2022 recruitment programme

But don't worry, there's time to study for these degrees as the NCS website advises the ideal age for an astronaut is between 27 and 37.

If that wasn't enough to be getting on with, there's a few other skills to add to the list.

NCS advises that candidates speak fluent Russian, as this is a language commonly used on the International Space Station.

Ideally candidates will also have experience as a pilot or at least 1,000 hours flying experience in a "high performance aircraft like a fighter jet".

Phew!

Needless to say, becoming an astronaut is difficult, but not impossible.

The careers website SpaceCareersUK says most astronauts recruited by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Nasa are sent to work on the International Space Station.

"Today, astronauts are trained to work on the International Space Station (ISS) and, in a few years, travel to the Moon, and eventually Mars," writes Daniel Bhuglah.

The profile of an astronaut has changed a little since human space travel began in the 1960s.

"The original astronauts in the 1960's were mostly military pilots. Today, astronauts tend to have had a more varied career, typically in a STEM field."

As the UK is a member of the ESA, British citizens who wish to become astronauts can join their training programmes.

But if a UK citizen wants to join Nasa, they will need US citizenship.

Where can I found out more?

The European Space Agency had a recruitment drive for a new group of astronauts in 2022.

It's a very competitive job, meaning lots of people want to do it.

But if this has caught your imagination, why not read up on some of the people who have been selected for astronaut training by the European Space Agency.

Rosemary Coogan is a British astrophysicist who was selected to be a career astronaut for the ESA in 2022.

And British Paralympic sprinter John McFall is hoping to become the first astronaut with a physical disability.