I want to say I tried applying for membership about a year ago. I also got the run around, and finally said the heck with it. Maybe I should try again. I would really enjoy a NASA spaceship credit card. :-)
Now I remember. I want to say they were asking me for "notarized" copies of my drivers license, and social security card. I felt this was rather intrusive, and at least for me, not worth the aggravation.