Clayton Anderson: He started out as a young engineer just applying and was eventually selected.

[Christopher Lusardi]

Dr. Mark Costes Interviews Clayton Anderson, Legendary Astronaut and Best-Selling Author

Published: June 15, 2020

Publisher: Dental Success Institute

Clay: You know. It's easy to apply to be an astronaut. It's hard to get selected. And, way back in 1983, when I was first eligible to become an astronaut because I'd gotten my Master's degree. I put in my application too early. I didn't have enough work experience. But, I didn't care, right. I was putting it in. 

And, in fairness to NASA and their program, they don't pick astronauts every year. Back then, they did. But when Challenger happened, they took it every two years. And then, when Columbia happened, they took another big break.

So, those 15 years meant that I had to submit my application annually. Otherwise, I'd be kicked out of the pool.

And, so that was what my focus was. Every year to kick it in, to kick it in, to kick it in. 

I'd get a little card back that said. Hey, we got your application, thank you. But, that's all I'd ever hear from anybody, right.

Until year 13, when I finally got an interview. And, when I got that interview, that was a pretty big deal. Because now, I was in front of the Selection Committee telling my story and trying to prove to them why I should become an astronaut.

But, that didn't work in year 13. And year 14, they didn't select, but I put in my application year 14.

And then the following year, the year 15, I got my second interview. And apparently, I had done well enough in those two interviews that I was selected in that 15th year.

So, it's not hard to apply. It's tedious. But, it's not hard. And then, you just have to hope that somebody sees your work, or likes you. Or decides that you're worth listening too. And, that's the hardest part, right. I didn't have a Ph.D. I wasn't a military fighter pilot. I didn't fly military helicopters. I didn't invent anything. I didn't discover a chemical element. 

You know. I was just a young engineer working at NASA Johnson Space Center trying to do the best job I could. 

And, it wasn't until I got a little higher up in management. Where I got enough exposure to the right kind of people that helped me convince them that I was a worthy candidate. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wuLp6-Obfo&feature=youtu.be&t=774

[Christopher Lusardi]

'Astro Clay' shares story of faith and science after unlikely astronaut career (April 25, 2025)

Publisher: Ryan Valenta

Published: Aug 19, 2025

It took me 15 years and 15 tries to get selected.

It's all about having faith in what you're doing, being the person that you are, having integrity, being honest, and transparent, and just moving forward with life.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR4ozPBJ4v0&t=10s