When I used to work in that industry, I interacted with the astronauts on occasion. One thing that they all have in common is that they seem to be freakish over-achievers. None of them "meet the mininum requirements". These people dedicate their lives - not 8 hours a day - to being an astronaut. Every last one of them (that I met) were extremely intelligent, insightful and had a tremendous passion for what they were doing.
I met all the requirements and sent in an application once just to say I did it.
