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Looking for a new job? NASA seeks astronauts

October 1, 2007 12:35 am

I HAVE never writ- ten about space transportation, but this was too good not to mention: NASA is hiring astronauts.

The USAJOBS Web site vacancy link is too long to print, but go to usajobs.gov and search by "Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center" "NASA" and "Flight Crew Operations Directorate." Or the job number, JS07A0176.

Applicants must have at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics, plus several years of work experience or an advanced degree. Educators are also encouraged to apply.

Astronauts must be between 62 inches and 75 inches tall and have vision correctable to 20/20.

That rules me out on most counts. Near-sighted liberal arts majors are not much of an asset in space.

Salary ranges from $59,493 to $130,257.

Dear Kelly: I have a new commute, driving south on U.S. 1 and turning left on College Avenue. The turn signal there is quite short and I've noticed a lot of people continue straight on U.S. 1 and take the next left onto Snowden Street. They then turn right onto College Avenue, effectively bypassing the stoplight. I believe a "left turn yield to traffic" movement and sign should be considered at the intersection of U.S. 1 and College Avenue.

--Susan Dorsey, Fredericksburg

Dave King, assistant director of public works in Fredericksburg, answered your question:

"Due to past accidents at this intersection, we have instituted a protected left-turn-only traffic movement. In other words, when the left arrow comes on, motorists may turn from southbound Route 1 onto College Avenue. When the arrow goes to red, no further left-hand turning movements are permitted," King wrote in an e-mail.

"In the past, motorists were permitted to turn left while yielding to oncoming northbound Route 1 traffic (a green ball instead of an arrow), but for some reason, some motorists were misjudging the distance and/or amount of time to cross the northbound lanes and subsequently causing an accident. The current setup is much safer."

King continues: "As for the short cycle, a common cause of this are motorists not keeping pace with the car in front of them. There is a traffic loop at the intersection that detects vehicles desiring to turn left, and if it does not detect a vehicle within 2.5 seconds, it assumes no other vehicles are in the turn lane and switches to the next cycle."

The public works department planned to inspect the signal last Friday to ensure it is working properly.

Dear Kelly: When are the lights supposed to start working when entering or leaving Widewater Village in North Stafford? It is very hard to make turns due to the amount of traffic. It is great to hear a light has been installed here, now when will it start working?

--Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford

Shortly after you submitted your question, the Virginia Department of Transportation activated the traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. 1 and Acadia Street, outside Widewater Village. I hope the signal helps your community safely access U.S. 1.