No deaf astronauts?

S

sheila022

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Hey guys, I'm curious if you or anyone know if there are deaf astronauts or something like an astronaut, especially for the CI-wearing astronauts.

Google came up with nothing, so I'm guessing there is probably no deaf astronauts? Maybe there's no deaf astronauts because the hearing aids/cochlear implant might be not able to handle the environmental demands imposed on the internal/external processor. Also, I guess there's the issue of communication back to Earth or some control tower? :hmm:

I'm also wondering if it is possible to experience zero gravity in a space shuttle/aircraft while wearing CI? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
 
From the NASA website:

Basic requirements for an Astronaut Pilot include the following:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important.

2. At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable.

3. Ability to pass a NASA space physical which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:

* Distant visual acuity: 20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye.
* Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position.
* Height between 62 and 75 inches.


Basic requirements for a Mission Specialist include the following:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Degree must be followed by at least three years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for part or all of the experience requirement (master's degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience). Quality of academic preparation is important.

2. Ability to pass a NASA space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:

* Distance visual acuity: 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye.
* Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position.

3. Height between 58.5 and 76 inches.


Are waivers granted for any of the medical requirements?

No, NASA does not grant waivers for the medical requirements. When qualifying astronauts for space flight, NASA must look at not only what is required for normal Shuttle operations, but also what each astronaut would require should serious, even life threatening, problems develop. For maximum crew safety, each crewmember must be free of medical conditions that would either impair the person's ability to participate in, or be aggravated by, space flight, as determined by NASA physicians.


You probably need to contact them directly for your specific questions.
 
Hrm, so I guess the hearing test puts most of the deaf population out of the running to be an astronaut, if the test is the same as for military (Same reason why I can't join ROTC).

But, Google didn't say anything about a regular CI-wearing person going on a space shuttle/aircraft to experience weightlessness.
 
sheila022 said:
Hrm, so I guess the hearing test puts most of the deaf population out of the running to be an astronaut, if the test is the same as for military (Same reason why I can't join ROTC).

But, Google didn't say anything about a regular CI-wearing person going on a space shuttle/aircraft to experience weightlessness.
Click to expand...
You'll have to write to NASA to get a definitive answer.
 
When there is space transportation again, I'll apply to be an astronaut. :D

I meet all the req'ts for Mission Specialist. And I'm already scuba certified!
 
Daredevel7 said:
When there is space transportation again, I'll apply to be an astronaut. :D

I meet all the req'ts for Mission Specialist. And I'm already scuba certified!
Click to expand...

I'll be rooting for you when that day comes!! let us know how it goes!
 
Daredevel7 said:
When there is space transportation again, I'll apply to be an astronaut. :D

I meet all the req'ts for Mission Specialist. And I'm already scuba certified!
Click to expand...

That's neat! Sometimes I think one of the requirements for becoming certified in scuba diving is a basic knowledge of ASL. It seems a no-brainer, since communication can be critical under the water and the old clipboard simply does not cut it. :shock:
 
Beowulf said:
That's neat! Sometimes I think one of the requirements for becoming certified in scuba diving is a basic knowledge of ASL. It seems a no-brainer, since communication can be critical under the water and the old clipboard simply does not cut it. :shock:
Click to expand...

We do learn hand signals such as OK, Shark, Jellyfish, Look-at, Low Air, Out of Air, "I have vertigo", and so on.

But they are more like miming/signals than ASL itself. You are right, it would be great to add in some ASL. Although, it would be difficult to capture the facial expressions... :)
 
sheila022 said:
Hey guys, I'm curious if you or anyone know if there are deaf astronauts or something like an astronaut, especially for the CI-wearing astronauts.

Google came up with nothing, so I'm guessing there is probably no deaf astronauts? Maybe there's no deaf astronauts because the hearing aids/cochlear implant might be not able to handle the environmental demands imposed on the internal/external processor. Also, I guess there's the issue of communication back to Earth or some control tower? :hmm:

I'm also wondering if it is possible to experience zero gravity in a space shuttle/aircraft while wearing CI? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Click to expand...

As for CI or Cochlear Implant, what is that got to do with NASA if there is a miracle hearing device like having a normal hearing for CI to listen? CIs is the same as the hearing aids and it don't provide miracle for a CI to hear and listen. It does not matter if you are deaf or hard of hearing to apply for a position as a Astronaut candidate. If you can be successful with everything that a deaf or hard of hearing person function better along with their fellow Astronauts, then go for it. So cut the crap about CI like that. Just say deaf or hard of hearing. You just label it like as if we are not cut out to be a CI Astronauts if we only wear hearing aids or no devices. That don't make any sense to me. That hurt when you label like name calling saying we should have CI for the position for a job.
 
I hate to be the meanie here but a lot of NASA Astronauts have military background such as well educated Air Force pilots. I would assume the requirements are the same as what is required for the military. However I find this a bit ironic since there is no 'sound' in space anyway. :cool:

I hope we will get to see the day when deaf individuals will be allowed to serve their country through the military if they so desire to. To me there is no more honorable job than the military. For obvious reasons I am not in the military, however, if I had normal hearing in both ears I more than likely would have joined the United States Air Force. That seems like that would be an interesting adventure since you are often stationed overseas.
 
sheila022 said:
Hey guys, I'm curious if you or anyone know if there are deaf astronauts or something like an astronaut, especially for the CI-wearing astronauts.

Google came up with nothing, so I'm guessing there is probably no deaf astronauts? Maybe there's no deaf astronauts because the hearing aids/cochlear implant might be not able to handle the environmental demands imposed on the internal/external processor. Also, I guess there's the issue of communication back to Earth or some control tower? :hmm:

I'm also wondering if it is possible to experience zero gravity in a space shuttle/aircraft while wearing CI? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Click to expand...
Why? Are you thinking of become one? :)
 
Bebonang said:
As for CI or Cochlear Implant, what is that got to do with NASA if there is a miracle hearing device like having a normal hearing for CI to listen? CIs is the same as the hearing aids and it don't provide miracle for a CI to hear and listen. It does not matter if you are deaf or hard of hearing to apply for a position as a Astronaut candidate. If you can be successful with everything that a deaf or hard of hearing person function better along with their fellow Astronauts, then go for it. So cut the crap about CI like that. Just say deaf or hard of hearing. You just label it like as if we are not cut out to be a CI Astronauts if we only wear hearing aids or no devices. That don't make any sense to me. That hurt when you label like name calling saying we should have CI for the position for a job.
Click to expand...

Sigh...

Read the rest of her post. She was curious if going to or being in space would affect the internal processor for the CI. NOTHING to do with CI-users being the only ones capable of going to space.

Relax..... you already have a lot of grudges for CI-promoters, which is perfectly fine and probably deserved, but no need to add more grudges spawned from misunderstandings.
 
sheila022 said:
Hey guys, I'm curious if you or anyone know if there are deaf astronauts or something like an astronaut, especially for the CI-wearing astronauts.

Google came up with nothing, so I'm guessing there is probably no deaf astronauts? Maybe there's no deaf astronauts because the hearing aids/cochlear implant might be not able to handle the environmental demands imposed on the internal/external processor. Also, I guess there's the issue of communication back to Earth or some control tower? :hmm:

I'm also wondering if it is possible to experience zero gravity in a space shuttle/aircraft while wearing CI? :hmm: :hmm: :hmm: :hmm:
Click to expand...

simple.... buy a ticket from private space ship :)

just ask Richard Branson
 
Reba said:
From the NASA website:

Basic requirements for an Astronaut Pilot include the following:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. An advanced degree is desirable. Quality of academic preparation is important.

2. At least 1,000 hours pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. Flight test experience is highly desirable.

3. Ability to pass a NASA space physical which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:

* Distant visual acuity: 20/100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 each eye.
* Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position.
* Height between 62 and 75 inches.


Basic requirements for a Mission Specialist include the following:

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Degree must be followed by at least three years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for part or all of the experience requirement (master's degree = 1 year of experience, doctoral degree = 3 years of experience). Quality of academic preparation is important.

2. Ability to pass a NASA space physical, which is similar to a military or civilian flight physical and includes the following specific standards:

* Distance visual acuity: 20/200 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20/20, each eye.
* Blood pressure: 140/90 measured in a sitting position.

3. Height between 58.5 and 76 inches.


Are waivers granted for any of the medical requirements?

No, NASA does not grant waivers for the medical requirements. When qualifying astronauts for space flight, NASA must look at not only what is required for normal Shuttle operations, but also what each astronaut would require should serious, even life threatening, problems develop. For maximum crew safety, each crewmember must be free of medical conditions that would either impair the person's ability to participate in, or be aggravated by, space flight, as determined by NASA physicians.


You probably need to contact them directly for your specific questions.
Click to expand...

Interest! :ty: for post here!
 
Daredevel7 said:
Sigh...

Read the rest of her post. She was curious if going to or being in space would affect the internal processor for the CI. NOTHING to do with CI-users being the only ones capable of going to space.

Relax..... you already have a lot of grudges for CI-promoters, which is perfectly fine and probably deserved, but no need to add more grudges spawned from misunderstandings.
Click to expand...

Well, excuse me for being blunt about that. She said "CI wearing astronauts". She is not the only one. I do hope she can go for getting a career as a Astronaut candidate if she can pass all the test like airplane and other works that might relate going to NASA. Good Luck, Shelia! :wave:
 
NASA should have ASL skill, when the electric equipment for communicate failure for between inside/outside and outside each other.
 
PowerON said:
NASA should have ASL skill, when the electric equipment for communicate failure for between inside/outside and outside each other.
Click to expand...

not easy to do that inside pressurized spacesuit
 
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