Astronaut crew selection

Abstract

Thirty-five astronaut candidates were selected by NASA in January 1978, and in August 1979 they completed their initial training and evaluation candidacy status to become designated astronauts eligible for selection to flight crews. The astronauts have been chosen in groups, and to date there have been a total of eight groups selected. This paper examines the basis for the selection criteria, the physiological makeup of the astronauts that types them to the criteria, and some of the testing and evaluation criteria used for the selection.