NASA expects thousands of astronaut applications after it starts to accept them March 2, with enthusiasm fueled by the much-anticipated return to human spaceflight this year. "I wouldn't be surprised if they have 50,000 applicants now. Going back to the moon is motivating a lot of people," said Michael Staab, a flight systems engineer who works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. Staab said he plans to apply ...