Astronaut

An astronaut (from the Ancient Greek ἄστρον (astron), meaning 'star', and ναύτης (nautes), meaning 'sailor') is a person trained to travel in space. Astronauts are special people who go above Earth in spacecraft. They help us learn about space by doing important science experiments. They train a lot to get ready for life in space.

The word "astronaut" is used for people who travel in space, but it can also mean scientists, politicians, or even space tourists. In the United States, groups like NASA, the FAA, and the military use this word for their space travelers. People who are trained but have not yet flown in space are also called astronauts.

In other countries, different words are used. For example, astronauts from Russia or the former Soviet Union are usually called cosmonauts. In China, space travelers are sometimes called taikonauts, though this name is not very formal. Since 1961, many people from many countries have become astronauts and traveled into space, helping us learn more about our universe.

Definition

The word "astronaut" describes people trained to travel in spacecraft. In the United States, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the military use this special term. These groups have their own rules about who can be called an astronaut.

Many people from around the world have traveled to space. Some have even gone to the Moon. These space travelers have spent time in space, with records held by people like Oleg Kononenko and Peggy A. Whitson.

Some astronauts, like Wally Schirra, have talked about what makes someone a true astronaut.

Terminology

See also: Astronaut ranks and positions

In 1959, leaders from the United States and the Soviet Union talked about what to call space travelers. The United States chose the word "astronaut," while the Soviet Union used "cosmonaut."

An astronaut is a person who travels to space. The word was first used in a story by Neil R. Jones in 1930. NASA uses this word for people on its spacecraft, as does the European Space Agency. Other countries have different words, like "taikonaut" for Chinese astronauts. This word became common after Yang Liwei flew in 2003. As space tourism grows, some space travelers are called "spaceflight participants" instead of astronauts.

Space travel milestones

See also: Spaceflight records and Timeline of space travel by nationality

The first person in space was Soviet Yuri Gagarin. He flew on 12 April 1961 on Vostok 1 and went around Earth for 108 minutes. The first woman in space was Soviet Valentina Tereshkova. She flew on 16 June 1963 on Vostok 6 and went around Earth for almost three days.

Alan Shepard was the first American in space on 5 May 1961 on a short flight on Freedom 7. The first American to go around Earth was John Glenn in 1962. The first American woman in space was Sally Ride in 1983. In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel in space.

Alexei Leonov was the first person to walk in space in 1965. Later that year, Ed White did the first American spacewalk. In 1968, William Anders became the first Asian-born astronaut when he went around the Moon on Apollo 8.

The Soviet Union let people from other countries join its space program. This included Vladimír Remek from Czechoslovakia in 1978. He was the first person from a country other than the Soviet Union or the United States to travel to space.

In 2001, American Dennis Tito became the first space tourist by paying for a trip to space. In 2003, Yang Liwei became China’s first astronaut on the Shenzhou 5.

Age milestones

The youngest person to reach space was Oliver Daemen, who was 18 years and 11 months old during his flight in 2021. The oldest person to reach space was William Shatner, who was 90 years old when he flew in 2021.

Duration and distance milestones

The longest time spent in space was by Russian Valeri Polyakov, who spent over a year there. The farthest distance from Earth was traveled by Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise during the Apollo 13 mission.

Civilian and non-government milestones

The first civilian in space was Valentina Tereshkova. The first non-governmental space traveler was researcher Byron K. Lichtenberg in 1983. In 1990, Toyohiro Akiyama became the first journalist in space.

Self-funded travelers

Further information: Space tourism

The first person to pay for a mission to orbit was Jared Isaacman in 2021. Others who paid to visit the International Space Station include:

1. Dennis Tito (American): 28 April – 6 May 2001
2. Mark Shuttleworth (South African): 25 April – 5 May 2002
3. Gregory Olsen (American): 1–11 October 2005
4. Anousheh Ansari (Iranian / American): 18–29 September 2006
5. Charles Simonyi (Hungarian / American): 7–21 April 2007, 26 March – 8 April 2009
6. Richard Garriott (British / American): 12–24 October 2008
7. Guy Laliberté (Canadian): 30 September 2009 – 11 October 2009
8. Yusaku Maezawa and Yozo Hirano (both Japanese): 8 – 24 December 2021

Training

See also: Astronaut ranks and positions

The first NASA astronauts were chosen in 1959. Many were pilots in the past. Today, astronauts train for twenty months. They learn about spacewalks and practice in labs. They also fly in airplanes to feel brief moments of weightlessness.

To become an astronaut at NASA, a person must be a U.S. citizen. They need a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math. They also need work or pilot experience and must pass a physical exam. Good leadership, teamwork, and communication skills are important. There is a special group for teachers called Educator Astronauts who want to join the space program.

Health risks of space travel

See also: Effect of spaceflight on the human body and Space medicine

Astronauts face many health challenges when traveling to space. These include losing bone and muscle strength, having trouble sleeping, and being exposed to radiation. Scientists study these problems to help keep astronauts safe. They use special scans guided by experts on Earth to check astronauts’ health during missions.

Space travel can also affect the brain and vision. Some astronauts have reported changes in their eyesight after long missions. Scientists continue to learn how space affects the body so they can make space travel safer for everyone.

Food and drink

Main article: Space food

Astronauts on the International Space Station need special food and water. They eat about 830 grams of food for each meal every day. They pick meals they like, and the food is checked to see how it works in space. Astronauts use less water than people on Earth, about three gallons each day.

Insignia

In Russia, cosmonauts earn the title Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation after finishing their missions. They often receive the Hero of the Russian Federation award. This tradition started in the USSR, where cosmonauts were usually named Hero of the Soviet Union.

At NASA, astronauts get a silver lapel pin after completing their training. Once they fly in space, they receive a gold pin. U.S. astronauts who are also active-duty military members earn a special Astronaut Badge after joining a spaceflight. The United States Air Force also gives an Astronaut Badge to pilots who fly higher than 50 miles.

Deaths

Astronauts sometimes face very dangerous situations when they explore space.

Astronaut David Scott left a memorial called Fallen Astronaut on the Moon during the Apollo 15 mission. The Space Mirror Memorial at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex honors those who have helped with space exploration.