Step into the shoes of a celestial pioneer, and prepare to embark on an out-of-this-world journey through the vast cosmos! Space, the final frontier, has always captivated our imaginations, and those intrepid explorers known as astronauts have ventured bravely into the great unknown. In this article, we will unveil 20 mind-boggling facts about these extraordinary individuals who have left their footprints on the moon, peered into the depths of the universe, and experienced the awe-inspiring beauty of Earth from the heavens above. So strap on your space helmet, fasten your seatbelt, and get ready for a gravity-defying adventure into the captivating world of astronauts!
1-5 Fun Facts About Astronauts
1. The astronauts of Apollo 11, including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins, couldn’t obtain life insurance due to the risks involved in their mission. As a precaution, they signed photos that their families could auction in case the lunar landing went wrong.
2. All US astronauts are required to learn Russian as part of their training, and they have to be able to operate the International Space Station (ISS) using Russian-language training manuals if necessary.
3. In 1971, the United States left a memorial on the Moon known as the Fallen Astronaut. This small aluminum sculpture honors all the astronauts and cosmonauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of space exploration.
4. Mae Jemison, the first female African-American astronaut, found inspiration to apply to NASA from the character Lieutenant Uhura in the TV show Star Trek. Seeing a woman of color in a prominent role in a futuristic setting inspired her to pursue her dreams. Later, she even had a cameo appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation, bridging the gap between fiction and reality.
5. Back in 2007, Malaysia took astronaut prayers to a whole new level. Islamic scholars put their thinking caps on for an entire year to figure out how their first astronaut could face Mecca while floating around in space.
6-10 Interesting Facts About Astronauts
6. Astronaut Ed Mitchell, who walked on the Moon during the Apollo 14 mission, expressed his perspective on international politics from the lunar surface. He remarked that: “From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a b*tch.’
7. Neil Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the Moon, almost missed the opportunity. His astronaut application arrived a week past the deadline, but his friend D*ck Day, who noticed the late arrival, slipped it into the pile before anyone else noticed.
8. The low gravity in space makes it difficult for astronauts to feel the weight of liquid in their bladders. As a result, they are trained to empty their bladders every two hours to prevent complications.
9. Astronauts may experience the loss of their fingernails after conducting spacewalks.
10. After watching Stanley Kubrick’s film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the astronauts of Apollo 8, the first manned mission to leave Earth’s orbit, were tempted to radio back reporting the appearance of a black monolith as depicted in the movie.
11-15 Surprising Facts About Astronauts
11. Returning from long stays in space can have residual effects on astronauts. Some may instinctively release an object in mid-air, expecting it to float, forgetting that they are back in Earth’s gravity.
12. Astronauts discard their clothes after each use on the International Space Station due to the high cost of transporting cargo to the ISS. It is more cost-effective to dispose of dirty clothes rather than waste water by washing them.
13. The Apollo 11 astronauts were initially scheduled to have a sleep period immediately after the moon landing. However, at their request, the sleep period was postponed as they wanted to walk on the lunar surface first. Their eagerness to explore the moon showcases their passion and dedication to their mission.
14. The total assembly weight of the Apollo 11 space suits on Earth was around 200 pounds.
15. Life as an astronaut aboard the International Space Station is a whirlwind of sunrises and sunsets. They witness a staggering 15 of each every day, averaging out to about one every 45 minutes.
16-20 Amazing Facts About Astronauts
16. The International Space Station utilizes “oxygen candles,” which, when ignited, release oxygen to sustain one person for approximately 24 hours, providing a crucial source of breathable air in the spacecraft.
17. Buzz Aldrin was involved in an incident where he punched a moon landing conspiracy theorist in the face. The charges against him were ultimately dismissed, with the reasoning that he was provoked.
18. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin had to remember not to close the door on the Eagle Lunar Lander because it lacked an outside door handle.
19. American astronauts on the ISS have the privilege of voting in elections from space. They can cast their votes securely via email, ensuring their voices are heard even while orbiting the Earth. It’s democracy that knows no bounds!
20. Peggy Whitson holds the remarkable record for the longest cumulative time spent living and working in space, accumulating a total of 665 days on September 2, 2017.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading about 20 Awesome Astronaut Facts
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