Astronaut

What Exactly Is an Astronaut?

Astronaut, a term that conjures images of brave explorers venturing into the vast unknown. But what exactly does it mean? An astronaut is a person trained, equipped, and deployed by a human spaceflight program to serve as a commander or crew member aboard a spacecraft. The term applies to all human space travelers regardless of nationality, but some countries use alternative terms such as cosmonauts (Russia) and taikonauts (China).

The Evolution of the Term ‘Astronaut’

When the Soviet Union launched Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961, they chose to call him a ‘cosmonaut.’ The term ‘astronaut’ was first used by Neil R. Jones in his 1930 short story and had been previously known, but it wasn’t until NASA’s founding that the term became widely used. In contrast, the Russian Federal Space Agency prefers to use the term ‘cosmonaut,’ which is an Anglicization of the Russian word kosmonavt.

Other Countries’ Terms

Other countries have their own variations of the term. Poland’s ‘kosmonauta’ or China’s ‘taikonaut,’ which were coined to describe professional space travelers. The Chinese term ‘taikonaut’ was popularized when China sent its first astronaut Yang Liwei into space in 2003.

Criteria for Human Spaceflight

The criteria for human spaceflight vary, but some focus on exceeding the Kármán line at an altitude of 100 kilometers. As of 2016, 558 people qualify as having reached space above 50 miles in altitude, and over 41,790 man-days have been spent in space by astronauts, with Oleg Kononenko holding the record for the longest cumulative time in space.

Notable Milestones

When the Soviet Union launched Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961, they chose to call him a ‘cosmonaut.’ The term ‘astronaut’ was first used by Neil R. Jones in his 1930 short story and had been previously known, but it wasn’t until NASA’s founding that the term became widely used. In contrast, the Russian Federal Space Agency prefers to use the term ‘cosmonaut,’ which is an Anglicization of the Russian word kosmonavt.

Other Synonyms for Astronaut

Other synonyms for astronaut include: spationaut (French), angkasawan (Malay), vyomanaut or gagannaut (Indian), sisunautti (Finnish). US federal agencies use different terms to describe astronauts based on mission type and eligibility criteria:

• NASA: one who flies above 50 miles for a qualifying activity
• Roscosmos/NASA: spaceflight participant for ISS missions
• FAA: commercial astronaut for privately funded, dedicated spaceflights

Space Travel Milestones

The first civilian in space was Valentina Tereshkova. The first American civilian in space was Joseph Albert Walker. The first people in space without military background were Konstantin Feoktistov and Boris Yegorov. The first non-governmental space traveler was Byron K. Lichtenberg. The first paying space traveler was Toyohiro Akiyama. The first self-funded space tourist was Dennis Tito.

Age, Duration, and Distance Milestones

The youngest person to reach space is Oliver Daemen (18 years 11 months), while the oldest is William Shatner (90 years). John Glenn holds the record for the oldest in orbit. The farthest distance from Earth an astronaut has traveled was 401,056 km when Jim Lovell and his crew went around the Moon during Apollo 13.

Training and Health Risks

The first NASA astronauts were selected for training in 1959. Early selection criteria included military jet test piloting and engineering training. NASA astronaut training includes 20 months of training in various areas, including extravehicular activity, microgravity, and high-performance jet aircraft. Candidate requirements include a master’s degree in STEM field, at least two years of professional experience, and passing the NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical.

Health Risks

Space travel can also affect the brain, causing vision problems, Alzheimer’s disease, and damage to gastrointestinal tissues. Astronauts may experience physiological deconditioning, and microorganisms on the International Space Station may pose a risk to medical health.

Awards and Recognition

Russian cosmonauts are awarded Pilot-Cosmonaut of the Russian Federation upon completion of their missions. NASA astronauts receive silver lapel pins for completing astronaut candidate training and gold pins after flying in space. U.S. astronauts with active-duty military status receive an Astronaut Badge.

Tragic Losses

Eighteen astronauts have died during four space flights, including thirteen Americans, four Russians, and one Israeli. Eleven people have died training for spaceflight, including eight Americans and three Russians.

As we continue to explore the cosmos, one thing remains clear: the journey of an astronaut is a testament to human courage and ingenuity. From Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight in 1961 to the current era of private space travel, these brave souls have pushed the boundaries of what humanity can achieve. Their stories inspire us all to dream big and reach for the stars.