More than 350 people have travelled into space, 26 on missions to the Moon and fthe rest in orbit around Earth. Journeying into space, astronauts must be physically and mentally fit. They must also be trained to prepare them for living and working in the hostile environment of space.

Spacesuit:

When astronauts work outside the spacecraft, they need to wear a suit that keeps their body at the correct temperature and protects them from fast moving micrometeoroids. The suit must also provide oxygen for breathing and be pressurized because there is no air or atmospheric pressure in space.

Working in space:

Each member of a space crew has specific tasks. These may include flying the craft, releasing a satellite into orbit, or testing new equipment. The weightless conditions of space mean that astronauts can also perform experiments not possible on Earth.

Repair work:

Once a satellite is in space it is left to work on its own. But occasionally one needs repairing. The cargo bay of the space shuttle is equipped with a robotic arm, which specially trained astronauts use to recover the satellite. They can then repair the satellite and release it back into orit.

Leaving in space:

Daily life for an astronaut includes all the usual things, such as breathing, eating, sleeping and going to the bathroom. The big difference, however, is living in weightless conditions. Sleeping astronauts float around the spacecraft unless tethered down, and using the toiled has to be carefully controlled.

Space Food:

Meals on the space shuttle are prepared from 70 different foods and 20 drinks. The meal tray is strapped down and the food eaten with the hand or cutlery. Liquids are sucked from cartons or tubes.

Space toilet:

Astronauts outside the spacecraft “go to the toilet” in their spacesuit, where the waste materials are collected. Inside the craft, they use a space toilet, making sure they are firmly strapped to the seat. The waste is sucked away by the toilet and collected in a secure unit.

Suction Shoes:

Staying in one place in a spacecraft can be a problem. Suction-cup shoes allow astronauts to get a better grip.

Space animal:

Humans are not the only space travelers, early ones included dogs, rats and mice. Animals are no longer sent into space alone, but flies, frogs and tadpoles occasionally accompany human astronauts.

This is life of astronauts, it’s a different world

Article Posted By : sreevani  On May 25, 2013lView All Articles

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http://www.veethi.com/articles/astronauts-article-2302.htm

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Astronauts