What it actually takes to become an aerospace engineer in 2026: degrees, specializations, salaries at NASA vs SpaceX, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
NASA's 2021 class had 18,300 applicants for 10 spots — the real pathways to becoming an astronaut in 2026 via NASA, ESA, ISRO, JAXA, CNSA, and commercial flight programs.
