Need a Job? Want to be an Astronaut?

Mountain View has no shortage of smart, hardworking and physically fit people. Maybe one of them wants to be an astronaut.

The National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) recently opened its application process for astronauts. According to the online description "NASA has a need for Astronaut Candidates to support the International Space Station (ISS) Program and future deep space exploration activities."

That's because even though the space shuttle , its final flight, the agency plans to continue sending people to space.

But you have to have worked hard and studied math and science, Atlantis on a visit to NASA Ames in August.

"We are fortunate, we are very lucky," Ferguson said about the opportunities he's had to go to space. "But at the same time, a lot of it is hard work. And I send those encouraging words to young men and women who aspire to something like this."

The application process is opened until Jan. 27, 2012. Astronauts can expect to earn between $64,724 to $141,715 per year.