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Astronauts undertake missions that expand our understanding of space and push the boundaries of scientific achievement. Their commitment and skills are fundamental to the success of space exploration endeavours. ISRO has been actively selecting and training astronauts, propelling the nation to the realm of human spaceflight.
The astronaut profession has seen significant growth in India and achieved milestones as an emphasis on space exploration increases. While ISRO has been active since the 1960s, the selection and training of astronauts for manned missions is a more recent development. ISRO is working on ISHP to develop the technology to launch a crewed mission to low earth orbit in 2025 on an LVM3 rocket.
The Indian Government has been actively developing its space program, leading to a growing demand for highly skilled individuals to explore the possibilities in space. The article discusses government jobs for astronauts in India, their roles, salaries according to various parameters and job opportunities across government institutes.
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Table of Contents
3.1 Experience Wise
Who are Astronauts
Astronauts are highly trained professionals who conduct space missions and exploration to understand the universe, its origins and the potential of life on other planets. They have to develop their physical and mental well-being by undergoing rigorous training to prepare themselves for different roles. Their work contributes to space exploration, research and the development of technologies that benefit space endeavours.
Astronauts can be classified into various roles, including mission specialists, pilot astronauts, payload specialists and more, depending on their specific responsibilities in space missions. A total of 16,786 personnel are working in ISRO propelling India’s space aspirations to new heights.
Jobs for Astronauts
The basic job of an astronaut involves a range of responsibilities related to space missions and exploration. Spacecraft operation, research, crew and mission management and continuous learning are some of the fundamental tasks and roles of an astronaut. Astronauts play a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and understanding of space.
Tabulated below is the job description of astronauts across government institutes along with their average salaries for each specialisation.
| Astronaut Profile | Job description | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Specialist | Responsible for conducting experiments and tasks during space missions. | 42 L |
| Commander Astronaut | Responsible for the overall mission and safety of the crew during missions. | 1 Cr |
| Payload Specialist | Specialises in payload experiments and operates in specialised missions. | 86 L |
| Commercial Astronaut | Operates spacecraft and conducts experiments for private spaceflight companies. | 87 L |
Government Jobs for Astronauts
In India, government jobs for astronauts are managed and offered by ISRO. Aspiring astronauts have to apply for selection opportunities which consist of rigorous selection processes to identify the right candidates with the necessary skills and physical fitness. These positions are highly competitive and require a strong educational background to be selected.
Some of the top government jobs for astronauts across various parameters along with their average salaries are discussed below.
Experience Wise
Experience plays an important factor in deciding the salary of astronauts. The experience-wise salary for astronauts is mentioned in the table below.
| Experience Years | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| 0 - 5 years | 12 L |
| 6 - 10 years | 27 L |
| 11 - 15 years | 42 L |
| 16 - 20 years | 59 L |
| 20 years & above | 62 L |
Qualification Wise
Candidates are required to gain relevant education in fields like engineering, science or medicine to pursue a career as an astronaut. The qualification-wise salary is mentioned in the table below.
| Job | Offering Institute | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Apply Scientist/Engineer-SD/SC | VSSC | 56,100 - 67,700 |
| Technical Assistant | IPRC | - |
| Technical Assistant | LPSC | - |
| Technician B | SAC | - |
Govt Astronaut Jobs
ISRO and its different agencies hire astronauts and related profiles for a variety of work. Some of the top government jobs for astronauts along with their average salaries are tabulated below.
| Job | Offering Institute | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Apply Scientist/Engineer-SD/SC | VSSC | 56,100 - 67,700 |
| Technical Assistant | IPRC | - |
| Technical Assistant | LPSC | - |
| Technician B | SAC | - |
Top Recruiters
There are many institutes and centres of ISRO that require services of astronauts. The list of government institutes is as follows.
| Name of the Institute | Location |
|---|---|
| VSSC | Thiruvananthapuram |
| SDSC SHAR | Sriharikota |
| URSC | Bangalore |
| NRSC | Hyderabad |
| MCF | Bhopal |
| ISTRAC | Bangalore |
| IISU | Thiruvananthapuram |
Government Jobs for Astronauts: FAQs
Ques. What jobs do most astronauts have?
Ans. Most astronauts have backgrounds in engineering, science or aviation before becoming astronauts.
Ques. Where can you get a job as an astronaut?
Ans. In India, candidates have to apply to ISRO to become an astronaut.
Ques. Which degree is best for astronauts?
Ans. A master’s degree in STEM is generally considered best for astronauts.
Ques. What is the salary of an astronaut in India?
Ans. The average annual salary of an astronaut in India is INR 7.10 LPA.
Ques. Is astronaut a good career option?
Ans. Becoming an astronaut can be a fulfilling career option for those passionate about space exploration and willing to meet rigorous requirements.
Ques. Who is highest paid in ISRO?
Ans. A scientific officer with an average salary of INR 18.9 LPA is the highest-paid job in ISRO.
Ques. Can I join ISRO after the 12th?
Ans. Candidates are required to possess a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or mathematics after class 12 to join ISRO.
Ques. What do astronauts do when they are not on a space mission?
Ans. Astronauts engage in activities like training, conducting research, maintaining equipment, administrative tasks and more when they are not on a space mission.
Ques. Name some courses that can be pursued to become astronauts.
Ans. BSc Astrophysics, BTech Aerospace Engineering and MTech Aeronautical Engineering are some of the top courses that can be pursued to become astronauts.
Ques. What are the physical attributes required to make a career as an astronaut?
Ans. Perfect vision, normal blood pressure, satisfactory medical history, average height, good shape and physique as per gender and age are some of the physical attributes one must require to make a career as an astronaut.
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