This might be the most interesting side hustle ever.  With NASA is opening up astronaut applications to the general public, you could go from a desk job in Tyler to outer space in a matter of months.  But there is a catch.

You probably had a hunch that getting a master's degree in a STEM field would pay off, and here you go.  It can put you on a rocket ship to outer space under a new NASA program.  For those of us without master's degrees, well, I guess we'll have to cross astronaut off of our list of potential adventures in 2021.

These are the requirements to be part of the next class of Artemis Generation astronauts, according to NASA:

--  Be a US citizen

--  Hold a master's degree in a STEM field (engineering, computer science, biological science, physical science, or mathematics), or its accepted equivalent.  That could be two years' worth of work toward a STEM-linked PhD.

--  Have two years of "related, progressively responsible professional experience, or at least 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft."

So they are opening up astronaut applications to the general public, but the definition of "general public" sure does exclude a lot of everyday underachievers like and me.  Oh well!  I think I could pass the physical requirements because I work out like a fiend, but the smart part is gonna leave me sitting on the side of the runway.

If you apply, you'll also have to take a two-hour online assessment and pass all physical requirements. NASA wants to make its final picks by mid-2021 and then the chosen ones will start training.  You could be on your way to the International Space Station or maybe the moon.  The application period will be open between March 2 and March 31.

I asked my daughter if she would ever want to fly to the moon, and she said, "No, it's dangerous up there."

Jen Austin - Townsquare Media
Jen Austin - Townsquare Media
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Staying grounded in East Texas isn't so bad.  But if you're well-schooled and adventurous, this could be your window to get to the moon, and beyond.

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