Astronauts

Subject Index

Astronauts

Subject Index - Science

An astronaut is a person who is training to travel in space. NASA is the agency that trains United States men and women to serve as commanders, pilots, and mission specialists aboard spacecraft. Politicians, educators, scientists, and private citizens have flown in space, also. The Soviet Union called their space travelers cosmonauts.

As of October 4, 2007, a total of 463 people from 34 countries have traveled into space. These numbers include 415 men and 48 women.

Yuri Gagarin, cosmonaut from the Soviet Union, was the first person to travel into space. His flight took place on April 12, 1961, aboard Vostok 1.

Alan Shepherd, astronaut from the United States, was the second person to travel into space. His flight took place on May 5, 1961, aboard Freedom 7.

John Glenn, astronaut from the United States, was the first person to orbit the earth. His flight occurred on February 20, 1962, aboard Friendship 7.

Sally Ride, astronaut from the United States, became the first woman in space in 1983.

Neil Armstrong, astronaut for the United States, became the first person to walk on the moon. His moon walk took place on July 20, 1969. He traveled to the moon aboard Apollo 11.

Sergei Kirkalyov, cosmonaut from the Soviet Union, has spent the most time in space. He was aboard the space station for 2 years and 73 days.

Ham the Chimp was the first living being that traveled into space. He was also called Astrochimp. On January 31, 1961, Ham was secured in a Project Mercury capsule. He had been trained to perform tasks while in the capsule, and he did everything he was asked to do. His flight lasted 16 minutes and 39 seconds. The capsule then splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean.

About Astronauts Ancient Astronauts Ancient Astronauts Did It Animal Astronauts Apollo 14 Images Apollo 17 Images Apollo 7 Images Apollo 9 Images
Apollo Astronauts Apollo Lunar Surface Journal
Apollo Program Astronauts and Cosmonauts Astronaut Biographies Astronaut Memorial Foundation Astronauts Astronauts 1 Astronauts 2 Astronauts 3 Astronauts and Space Radiation Astronauts Visit Craters of the Moon, N.M. Canadian Astronaut: Julie Payette Canadian Scientists Chronology of Astronauts Crew of the Challenger Mission - 1986 Dr. Story Musgrave, Dean of American Astronauts Fallen Challenger First African American in Space: Guion Bluford First Canadian Women in Space- Roberta Lynn Bondar Food Facts & Trivia: Astronauts

How Columbus & Apollo Astronauts Navigated
How They Function in Their Spacesuits
How Do Astronauts Go to the Bathroom?
Living in Space Mars Millennium Project 2030 Mercury Seven Astronauts Mercury, Gemini & Apollo Race to the Moon Military Women Astronauts NASA Astronauts NASA Kids: Pioneers NASA Quest Calendar of Events
NASA/Johnson Space Center NASA: Apollo 13 NASDA's Astronauts Ohio Astronauts Rescue Agreement Selection and Training of Astronauts Space Explorers: Astronauts Space Images Gallery Space Station Photo Gallery Spacelink: Astronauts Spartan 201-5 StarChild: Astronauts Stationed in the Stars The Big Picture: Astronomy and Space The Challenger Accident To The Moon UFO Sightings by Astronauts What Do Astronauts Wear on the Spaceships? Who Are The Apollo 13 Astronauts? Women of Space


Veterans' Day	Trivia	Koalas	Science Museums	Thanksgiving

What are you most thankful for?

Astronauts