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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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21109.04 – Astronauts

Astronauts command, pilot or serve as crew members of a spacecraft to conduct scientific experiments and research, and participate in space missions as mission specialists to maintain spacecraft, install and repair space station equipment and launch and recapture satellites.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Astronaut
  • Cosmonaut

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to analyze high-stakes situations, face technical problems that require immediate solutions, assess risks and make informed decision that optimize the use of resources while ensuring mission safety and success
  • Equipment and Tool Selection, and Setting Up to maintain spacecraft, install and repair space station equipment and launch or recapture satellites
  • Control of Settings to precisely adjust spacecraft controls for accurate navigation or control of equipment for the successful completion of scientific experiments and missions
  • Fluency of Ideas to generate multiple solutions and approaches to complex problems encountered during space missions and scientific research
  • Adaptability to effectively respond to evolving mission requirements, new technologies and unforeseen challenges encountered during space exploration
  • Knowledge in Physics to understand scientific and astronomic terms, abstract relationships and advanced physics theories to conduct research and to carry out complex experiments to advance understanding in the field

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Command, pilot or serve as crew members of a spacecraft to conduct scientific experiments and research, and participate in space missions as mission specialists to maintain spacecraft, install and repair space station equipment and launch and recapture satellites.

Additional information

  • Mobility between specializations in this group may be possible with experience.
  • Mobility is possible with experience, to other fields of physical science or to management or regulatory program management.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors (72600)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

21 – Professional occupations in natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

211 – Professional occupations in natural sciences

Minor group

2110 – Physical science professionals

Unit group

21109 – Other professional occupations in physical sciences

Occupational profile

21109.04 – Astronauts

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.