Women ‘have what it takes’

“There’s a lot of science to be done that can’t be done on earth, a lot of questions that you can answer.”

Persad said he originally dreamed of being an astronaut because he wanted to be taller than his sister and he heard on television that people grow two inches in space.

“That was the moment I decided I wanted to be an astronaut,” he said. “Since then I’ve been looking at what does it take to be an astronaut. I knew I would have to be good at math and science and that sort of guided my interest in school work.”

In order to apply, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering or science field or a doctorate in medicine or dentistry. A list of relevant fields is available on the space agency’s website.

More than two-thirds of applicants have so far been men. In order to encourage more women to apply, the agency included as relevant degrees such fields as nursing, where women make up a high percentage of the profession. They have also targeted professional associations that cater to women from a public relations standpoint.

“We’re trying to make sure . . . their members are aware they have what it takes, at least on the educational side, to become an astronaut,” said Karl Saad, the space agency’s project manager.

Andreea Radulescu, a 35-year-old IT analyst from Toronto, is one of the women who have applied. She is also one of the 100 semifinalists for the Mars One project, in which 24 people will take a one-way trip to Mars in 2024.

“Basically, I’m just trying every opportunity. Space is one of those things that’s so unknown and curiosity has driven me towards it,” said Radulescu, who holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a masters in space science.

Saad said the agency is looking for applicants with diverse experiences who are adventurous.

For William Colgan, an assistant professor in earth and space sciences and engineering at York University, space travel could build his research into glaciers and climate change.

“Obviously looking out the window and being able to see all of earth at once would be super exciting.”

The space agency will decide its two successful applicants by June 2017.