Those dreaming of becoming part of NASA's elite group of astronauts can now send their resumes to the space agency. However, there are certain requirements that must be met before one can fly out to space.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration recently announced that it's opening its doors to those who want to apply to become the next batch of astronauts who will be tasked to travel to the International Space Station, the moon or to Mars.

NASA used to have very rigid requirements for those interested in becoming astronauts. However, these requirements have been adapted to suit the times.

When the space agency first started choosing people for their projects, applicants were required to have degrees in engineering and should know how to fly a jet aircraft. Unfortunately, applicants who were taller than 5 feet 11 inches were automatically disqualified. By 1964, NASA began considering those with doctorate degrees and these astronauts were known as the "scientist-astronauts."

While NASA might have relaxed some of its requirements, a good education is still the first step to becoming an astronaut. Applicants now must have at least a bachelor's degree in biological science, engineering, mathematics or physical science. They must also have either three-years of work experience (at least) or 1,000 hours serving as the "pilot-in-command" of a jet aircraft.

It goes without saying that applicants to NASA's space program must also be physically fit. The job requires applicants to have either 20/20 vision or the ability to improve and bring their vision to that level plus blood pressure that's lower than 140/90. Would-be astronauts should be somewhere between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 3 inches tall (to be able to fit in the spacecraft's very limited space).

Those who successfully pass the preliminary screening and the barrage of interviews, orientation and medical check-ups will then undergo two more years of constant evaluation and training. Astronaut training involves microgravity exposure, scuba diving, courses on military water survival and robotics. Learning to speak Russian is also a must.

After two grueling years, those who pass all the courses become astronauts while those who don't are offered other posts in the agency.

So for this application, a good cover letter and a resume just won't cut it as the job demands more. But for those who have decided to try out, NASA will be accepting applications starting December 14 to the middle of February. Applications can be sent to www.usajobs.gov.