Astronaut Applications

NASA is looking for a new astronaut class (they'll ride to the ISS in a Soyuz). More information is available here.

I applied in 1990 or so, but never heard back. I'm more qualified now, but I doubt that I could pass the "long duration space flight physical" after a bypass, two stents, and the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

OTOH, I have a second class medical certificate, and NASA uses an FAA medical as a pre-screen. For many years after the bypass I had a first class medical, and went on to become about the only part-time post-bypass Math Professor King Air captain in history; I'm familiar with ignoring "impossible."

So somebody please talk me out of applying again.