Mike Foreman answers a question about the application process he went through
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Christopher Lusardi
Apr 11, 2024, 5:30:10 AM4/11/24
to Astronaut-Hopefuls-Interest
1975 WHS Grad and Former Astronaut Mike Foreman Interview
Publisher: Wadsworth High School
Published: April 10, 2024
Question: How do you feel that Wadsworth helped shape you into the person you are today?
Well, believe or not Wadsworth had a lot of an effect on me. Growing up in the Midwest, you all take for granted. But, I’ve lived a lot of different places.
And, I know that everybody doesn't grow up with the same work ethic that Midwestern values instilled in me to work hard. You can make some something of yourself if you work hard.
And, I had this dream of becoming an astronaut since I was eight years old.
So, even when I was in fifth grade, I was already thinking about becoming an astronaut. And telling people, I wanted to be an astronaut.
And people, I'm sure maybe had this thought like this kid thinks he can become an astronaut that's crazy. But, they never said that to me.
It's a sort of a positive uplifting kind of spirit around here. And, if you have a dream Katie they will say. Yeah Katie, you go for it.
They're not going to say. Oh, you want to be a chemical engineer maybe you should set your sights on something different.
I don't know do you want to be a chemical engineer. Well, you could be if you wanted to be.
So, I got a lot of. I learned a lot of hard work and keep working towards your dream.
And, you know. It took me eight times applying to NASA. So, I had to keep working at it, never give up, just keep trying, and making yourself better.
All that came from right here, Wadsworth Ohio. I'm proud to be from Wadsworth Ohio.
And, a lot of people when they say where are you from. They might answer. Oh, I'm from Cleveland. Or, I'm from Akron.
But, I don't. I say. I'm from Wadsworth Ohio. And, if they don't know where that is they can ask me. But, I say. I'm from Wadsworth Ohio because I'm very proud.
Question: And, what was the application process like for NASA?
Answer: Well for NASA it's funny. Because eight applications, I started in the dark ages where applications were actually a form that you filled out. It was a government form you had to fill out because NASA astronauts are government employees. So, you're applying for a government job and had to fill out these long pieces of paper forms, little boxes that don't have enough room for all the answers that they're asking and had to cram this stuff in.
And then eventually, after I had to apply over and over again, those forms became computerized. And, it became a little easier each time to go back and adapt the previous application, hopefully make it better, make it sound better.
And, I kept doing things like I was a SCUBA diver. So, I said. Well, I should put SCUBA diving on my application. Maybe that's, you know makes it sound like I'm a more well-rounded astronaut.
So, I did that. I have a license to fly gliders not only jet aircraft and propeller airplanes.
But, I fly gliders. So, I put that on my application.
But, it was easier, the process. But, I just kept getting rejected for a long time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqsa2XfcNTU&t=247s
Publisher: Wadsworth High School
Published: April 10, 2024
Question: How do you feel that Wadsworth helped shape you into the person you are today?
Well, believe or not Wadsworth had a lot of an effect on me. Growing up in the Midwest, you all take for granted. But, I’ve lived a lot of different places.
And, I know that everybody doesn't grow up with the same work ethic that Midwestern values instilled in me to work hard. You can make some something of yourself if you work hard.
And, I had this dream of becoming an astronaut since I was eight years old.
So, even when I was in fifth grade, I was already thinking about becoming an astronaut. And telling people, I wanted to be an astronaut.
And people, I'm sure maybe had this thought like this kid thinks he can become an astronaut that's crazy. But, they never said that to me.
It's a sort of a positive uplifting kind of spirit around here. And, if you have a dream Katie they will say. Yeah Katie, you go for it.
They're not going to say. Oh, you want to be a chemical engineer maybe you should set your sights on something different.
I don't know do you want to be a chemical engineer. Well, you could be if you wanted to be.
So, I got a lot of. I learned a lot of hard work and keep working towards your dream.
And, you know. It took me eight times applying to NASA. So, I had to keep working at it, never give up, just keep trying, and making yourself better.
All that came from right here, Wadsworth Ohio. I'm proud to be from Wadsworth Ohio.
And, a lot of people when they say where are you from. They might answer. Oh, I'm from Cleveland. Or, I'm from Akron.
But, I don't. I say. I'm from Wadsworth Ohio. And, if they don't know where that is they can ask me. But, I say. I'm from Wadsworth Ohio because I'm very proud.
Question: And, what was the application process like for NASA?
Answer: Well for NASA it's funny. Because eight applications, I started in the dark ages where applications were actually a form that you filled out. It was a government form you had to fill out because NASA astronauts are government employees. So, you're applying for a government job and had to fill out these long pieces of paper forms, little boxes that don't have enough room for all the answers that they're asking and had to cram this stuff in.
And then eventually, after I had to apply over and over again, those forms became computerized. And, it became a little easier each time to go back and adapt the previous application, hopefully make it better, make it sound better.
And, I kept doing things like I was a SCUBA diver. So, I said. Well, I should put SCUBA diving on my application. Maybe that's, you know makes it sound like I'm a more well-rounded astronaut.
So, I did that. I have a license to fly gliders not only jet aircraft and propeller airplanes.
But, I fly gliders. So, I put that on my application.
But, it was easier, the process. But, I just kept getting rejected for a long time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqsa2XfcNTU&t=247s
Christopher Lusardi
Aug 4, 2025, 4:58:04 AMAug 4
to Astronaut-Hopefuls-Interest
Astronaut Mike Foreman, A Real NASA Astronaut.
Publisher: THE REAL SARA🤗
Published: Aug 3, 2025
He applied to become a NASA astronaut eight times.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hgI0arSdFQI
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