Question about American Astronauts

[yonif]

Are American astronauts under military command, just like Israeli Ones? (who are under the IDF - Israeli Airforce)?

What Dept. are they under? Navy?

Thanks

[Burkeman1]

As far as I know most astronauts have extensive military flight training and were in the armed forces. But once in Nasa they are technically civilians. I could be wrong on this- but that is my understanding.

[OldFriend]

Since Israel has no space program, they have no astronuats. This man was invited to participate in our space program by Shimon Peres and bill clinton.

[Brytani]

From what I've read, military members who are picked to go into the space program basically take a leave of absence but are still technically military members unless they decide to retire after NASA picks them.

[MindBender26]

They are on LOA from military. Many now have no military experience; scientists, payload specialists, etc. Some have even been employees of civilian contractors working for NASA. They don't even work for NASA!

[Burkeman1]

Yes- the specialist- essentially civilian scientists along for the ride are not military but I think the author of the thread was asking about the pilots of the shuttles.

[Semper911]

Five of the seven were members of the US military. But the NASA Shuttle program is not a military one. However they almost always have a military objective (read secret satellites) associated with their mission.

They weren't just up there watching weightless spiders.

[Archangelsk]

They are on LOA from military. Many now have no military experience; scientists, payload specialists, etc. Some have even been employees of civilian contractors working for NASA. They don't even work for NASA!

No. Military personnel are assigned to NASA for the duration of their tour and are not on a leave of absence. Civilian astronauts, such as payload specialists, are NASA employees. Read about it here.

[El Gato]

Yes- the specialist- essentially civilian scientists along for the ride are not military

Some are. One of the lady specialists, a doctor, on Columbia was a Lt. Commander in the Navy. The military people are still military, subject to the UCMJ and racking up years for retirement and pay purposes.

[Burkeman1]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[yonif]

Israel does have a space program. Its members are under the Israeli Air Force/IDF. Its space program might just be known for satelitte launches, etc. , but it still does have a space program.

[thatdewd]

Since Israel has no space program, they have no astronuats.

The "Israeli Space Agency" has been in existence since the early 1980's. The ISA has been doing scientific projects with NASA since 1985, and has even had projects on previous Shuttle missions. This is the first time they sent an astronaut up through NASA, but that doesn't mean they don't have a "Space Program", they've had one for two decades. They have designed and built many satellites, and have even designed and built the launch systems that successfully put them into orbit. Lt Col. Yitzhak May, Colonel Ramon's backup, would probably not agree with you about the astronaut issue. He has trained for years as an astronaut, and will probably be the next Israeli to go into Space.

[thatdewd]

Here's a link to an Israel Space Agency patch from 1992's STS-47, for their famous 'hornets' experiment on the Shuttle Endeavor:

(Click on the pic for a full page image)

[boris]

"Since Israel has no space program, they have no astronuats."

No astronauts, either.

--Boris

[OldFriend]

Thanks for the information. Sadly it took this tragedy to educate me. Freepers have been the best resource when it comes to just about EVERYTHING. Again, thanks.