NASA IS HIRING

On Wednesday, the agency announced that it's hiring folks to visit both Mars and the International Space Station.

"With more human spacecraft in development in the United States today than at any other time in history, future astronauts will launch once again from the Space Coast of Florida on American-made commercial spacecraft, and carry out deep-space exploration missions that will advance a futurehuman mission to Mars," the agency said in a news release.

Candidates will be selected in mid-2017, the agency says.

To qualify, applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics, though NASA would prefer candidates with advanced degrees.

Future astronauts must also have at least three years of "related, progressively responsible professional experience," or more than 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. 

To date, NASA has hired more than 300 astronauts. Currently, 47 are active.

To apply, visit this website from Dec. 14 through mid-February.