What jobs did astronauts have?

Astronauts work in mission control (the ‘voice’ that communicates with astronauts in orbit), check out procedures and the checklists the crew in space will use, help verify the space station and vehicle software, develop procedures and tools to be used during spacewalks or robotic operations, help scientists in …

What was the profession of most of the first astronauts?

The military selected the first astronauts in 1959. The first astronauts were military personnel who had experience flying jet aircraft and backgrounds in engineering. They also had to be shorter than 5 feet 11 inches—to fit in the Mercury spacecraft.

What did a person have to be in order to be an astronaut?

The minimum qualifications necessary to become an astronaut are listed on NASA’s website. In order to become a NASA astronaut, someone needs to be a U.S. citizen and must earn a master’s degree in biological science, physical science, computer science, engineering or math.

Who was Gordon Cooper’s wife?

Susan Taylorm. 1972–2004
Trudy Olsonm. 1947–1971
Gordon Cooper/Wife

What is an astronauts job description?

Astronaut Job Duties Usually, astronauts go into space in groups called a crew. The responsibilities range from being the commander, the one in charge of the crew and the safety of the spacecraft, to being a mission specialist trained in repairing the spacecraft or retrieving satellites.

What is the workday of an astronaut like?

An astronaut’s workday is from approximately 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time. This day includes three meals and 2.5 hours of physical exercise to maintain muscle tone and fitness. Although Shuttle missions are shorter than Space Station expeditions, NASA astronauts live and work on the Shuttle for days at a time.

What skills are needed to become an astronaut?

The first astronauts were military personnel who had experience flying jet aircraft and backgrounds in engineering. They also had to be shorter than 5 feet 11 inches—to fit in the Mercury spacecraft. In addition to flight and engineering expertise, space exploration requires scientific knowledge and the ability to apply it.

What are the duties of a Mission Specialist astronaut?

Mission Specialist Astronaut Duties. Mission specialist astronauts, working with the commander and pilot, have overall responsibility for the coordination of Shuttle operations in the areas of crew activity planning, consumables usage, and experiment and payload operations.

What do astronauts do on the International Space Station?

The ISS crew spends their day working on science experiments that require their input. They also monitor experiments that are controlled from the ground. These astronauts also take part in medical experiments to determine how well their bodies are adjusting to microgravity for long periods of time.