National Astronaut Day: A Guide and Q&A with STEM From!

May 5th was National Astronaut Day, where we celebrate the brave individuals who dedicate their lives to space exploration. The holiday was officially coined in 2016 to commemorate Freedom 7, a hallmark flight that flew the first American into space on May 5th, 1961. To celebrate, STEM From is going to answer some common questions about astronauts!

What defines an astronaut?

Astronaut is taken from the Greek word ástron and suffix -naut to mean “star sailor.” It refers to anyone who has launched into space as crew members of a spacecraft. The first recorded use of it was in Percy Greg’s 1880 novel Across the Zodiac: The Story of a Wrecked Record, where it referred to a spacecraft. It was not until the 1920s that the word shifted to its modern-day meaning. Astronauts must go through specialized training and often need degrees in applicable sciences to be considered as candidates to begin with.  

Who was the first astronaut? 

Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space on April 12th, 1961, where he boarded the Vostok 1 for the Soviet Union. Even though he was technically the first person in space, I would also count several other significant “firsts” in space exploration history. The first American in space was Alan Shepard, the man in the introduction who boarded Freedom 7. Other notable firsts include Gherman Titov and John Glenn. Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space. Aleksey Leonov would be the first person to walk in space. All in all, there are dozens of notable achievements, but you could argue that Gagarin was the very first. 

How do astronauts prepare mentally and physically for space exploration? 

Astronauts must be physically and physiologically sound before venturing into space. Commercial astronauts training is significantly less intensive, takes less time, and is more procedural focused. Government astronaut training accommodates for longer times in space, resulting in more vigorous training. Regardless, NASA provides various methods of exercise, simulations, and more to prepare astronauts physically. To prepare them mentally, NASA encourages journaling and confiding in peers.  

What are the effects of space travel on the human body? 

Astronauts must deal with physical effects from prolonged stays in outer space such as decreased bone density and muscle mass, neurological readjustment, overall performance changes and more. Mentally, it can be taxing to isolate and leave the comfort of your home for a mission. Thankfully, NASA has taken precautions to ensure the physical and mental safety of their astronauts by equipping them with the right tools for success.  

How do astronauts cope with isolation and confinement during long-term missions? 

Isolation can take a massive toll on the human brain. To combat this, NASA developed the acronym C-O-N-N-E-C-T which stands for community, openness, networking, needs, expeditionary mindset, countermeasures and training. Community centers on seeking ways to support society and improve it for the greater good. Openness is a willingness to keep an open mind when approaching any situation. Networking is the ability to promote yourself and your achievements to others while seeking new connections. Needs are kept in check by having basic routines, including proper nutrition and exercise. Expeditionary mindset involves taking challenges head on while providing and receiving support from peers. Countermeasures are any way to reduce stress, such as journaling. And finally, training ensures astronauts are fully prepared for their journey and the many variables that come with it.  

What are the risks associated with space exploration as an astronaut? 

Being in a foreign environment can be disorienting, and potentially life-threatening. All manner of risks are present in a place as vast as space with minimal resources - primarily in basic needs such as food, water, and air. Additionally, help can be hard to find or take too long to arrive. There is always a crash risk involved as well, although it has become less and less common as technology improves.  

Learn More:

• Human Body in Space|NASA

• Origin of Astronaut|Oxford English Dictionary

• NASA’s C-O-N-N-E-C-T

Being a star sailor is no easy task, which is why we reserve May 5th to honor the brave astronauts who have and still do frontier the grand cosmos around us. It is an extraordinary feat to which the populace owe to the incredible explorers we honor each year. Thank you for reading and comment if you would like more Career Q&A posts in the future!