Navy restricts astronaut applicants

Blog reader Kris, pointed out this article from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/us/27astro.html

Navy Limits Applications for Its Nominations to Space Program By JOHN SCHWARTZ Published: April 27, 2008 The cutback comes as the service tries to retain the expertise it needs to fulfill its wartime obligations while experiencing an overall decline in its numbers.


One one hand, it's a troubling sign that our military is over-extended in its Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. On the other hand, this means fewer Navy applicants to the astronaut program. That's less competition for mere civilians like me!

If the Navy's policy continues, the statistics I reported a few weeks ago will certainly change.

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