Astronaut

An astronaut (from the Ancient Greek ἄστρον (astron), meaning 'star', and ναύτης (nautes), meaning 'sailor') is a person trained, equipped, and deployed by a human spaceflight program to serve as a commander or crew member of a spacecraft. Astronauts are special people who travel above Earth in spacecraft to explore space and conduct important science experiments. They undergo extensive training to prepare for the challenges of living and working in space.

Although the term "astronaut" is often used for professional space travelers, it can also apply to scientists, politicians, journalists, and even space tourists. In the United States, groups like NASA, the FAA, and the military use this title for their space travelers. People trained to fly in spacecraft but who have not yet traveled to 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, hundreds of 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, it is a special term used by NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the military. These groups have their own rules about who can be called an astronaut.

Many people from around the world have traveled to space. As of November 2016, over 550 people from 36 countries had reached high enough altitudes to be considered astronauts. Some have even traveled to the Moon. These space travelers have spent thousands of days in space, with records held by people like Oleg Kononenko for the most time spent in space overall, and Peggy A. Whitson for the most time by a woman.

Some, like astronaut Wally Schirra, have discussed what makes someone a true astronaut, focusing on those who control the spacecraft.

Terminology

See also: Astronaut ranks and positions

In 1959, leaders from the United States and the Soviet Union debated whether space travelers should be called astronauts or cosmonauts. The term "astronaut" became the preferred American term, while the Soviet Union used "cosmonaut" for its space travelers.

An astronaut is a professional space traveler. The term was first used in a story by Neil R. Jones in 1930. NASA uses the term for crew members on its spacecraft, as does the European Space Agency. Other countries have their own terms, like "taikonaut" for Chinese astronauts, which became common after China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, flew in 2003. With space tourism growing, 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 human in space was Soviet Yuri Gagarin, who launched on 12 April 1961 aboard Vostok 1 and orbited Earth for 108 minutes. The first woman in space was Soviet Valentina Tereshkova, who launched on 16 June 1963 aboard Vostok 6 and orbited Earth for almost three days.

Alan Shepard became the first American in space on 5 May 1961 on a short flight aboard Freedom 7. The first American to orbit 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 do a spacewalk in 1965. Later that year, Ed White performed the first American spacewalk. In 1968, William Anders became the first Asian-born astronaut when he orbited the Moon on Apollo 8.

The Soviet Union allowed people from other countries to join its space program. This included Vladimír Remek from Czechoslovakia in 1978, 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 self-fund 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. Early on, many were military jet test pilots. Today, astronauts go through twenty months of training. This includes learning about spacewalks and practicing in special labs. They also fly in airplanes that give them brief feelings of weightlessness.

To become an astronaut at NASA, a person must be a U.S. citizen and have a master’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math. They also need work experience or pilot experience, and must pass a physical exam. They need skills in leadership, teamwork, and talking with others. There is also a special group called Educator Astronauts for teachers 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 are studying these problems to help keep astronauts safe. For example, 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 are continuing 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 about 830 grams of food for each meal every day. They work with nutritionists to choose meals that they like, and the food is tested to see how it behaves in space. Astronauts also use much less water than people do on Earth, limiting their use to about three gallons per day.

Insignia

In Russia, cosmonauts earn the title Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation after finishing their missions, often receiving 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

As of 2020, eighteen astronauts have died during space flights. Eleven more people died while training for spaceflight. These tragedies remind us of the risks astronauts take to 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 all those who have died in service to space exploration.