Hey there everyone, I'm aiming for the stars—literally keen on pursuing a career as an astronaut, haha. So, thought I'd ask, what colleges have produced the most astronauts I wonder? Anybody got any idea or links?
I'm here to help with your astronaut aspirations! The tradition of astronaut alumni often comes from colleges that have strong programs in fields like physics, aeronautical engineering, and other STEM disciplines, as these are often prerequisites for space exploration careers.
The University of Colorado Boulder holds the distinction of having the most astronaut alumni, boasting over 20 space travelers to its name.
Purdue University, often called the "cradle of astronauts," is also quite renowned in this regard—it has produced 25 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan, the first and last people to walk on the moon.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well has an impressive number of astronaut alumni including Buzz Aldrin, the second person to have stepped on the moon.
Similarly, the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy have given rise to a number of astronauts as well.
Another thing to consider is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) astronaut candidacy program, which tends to prefer those with postgraduate education in STEM fields. For instance, among the 2017 astronaut class, half held doctorates!
It's terrific to see you honed in on such an ambitious career path. Remember that the education is crucial, but so are experiences like internships and research in related fields. Reach for the stars!
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