100 Awesome Astronauts Facts

We’ve created this list of 100 fun facts about Astronauts for your enjoyment and for you to share with friends!

Over 50 fun facts about Astronauts plus 100 fun facts about Astronauts for kids, plus more about its benefits, how it’s practiced and much more!

Astronauts Facts 1-25
Astronauts Facts 25-50
Astronauts Facts for Kids 1-25
Astronauts Fun Facts for Kids 26-51
What Does an Astronaut Do?
How Do You Become an Astronaut?

Astronauts Facts 1-25

Here are 25 fun facts about Astronauts:

The first human in space was Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet astronaut who completed one orbit around Earth in 1961.
The first American to orbit Earth was John Glenn, who did so in 1962.
The first person to walk on the moon was Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut, in 1969.
The first woman in space was Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet astronaut, in 1963.
The first American woman in space was Sally Ride, who flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983.
Astronauts have to be physically fit to withstand the rigors of space travel, and many undergo rigorous training and exercise programs.
Astronauts have to learn how to operate complex machinery and systems, such as the International Space Station (ISS).
Astronauts typically wear special suits called Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMUs) when performing spacewalks outside the spacecraft.
The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint project between multiple countries and has been continuously inhabited since 2000.
The ISS orbits Earth at an altitude of about 250 miles (400 kilometers).
Astronauts on the ISS see 16 sunrises and sunsets each day because the station orbits Earth every 90 minutes.
Astronauts on the ISS can conduct experiments in microgravity, which allows them to study the behavior of fluids, flames, and other phenomena that are affected by gravity on Earth.
Astronauts have to be trained to cope with the psychological stresses of being in space, such as isolation and confinement.
Astronauts have to be able to work well in teams, since they often work closely with other crew members in small spaces for long periods of time.
The first spacewalk was performed by Soviet astronaut Alexei Leonov in 1965.
The longest spacewalk ever conducted was by Russian astronauts Anatoly Solovyev and Pavel Vinogradov, who spent 8 hours and 56 minutes outside the ISS in 2003.
The first married couple to fly in space were Mark Lee and Jan Davis, who flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
The first mother in space was Anna Fisher, who flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1984.
The first father-son duo to fly in space were Owen and Richard Garriott, who flew on separate missions in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Astronauts on the ISS can communicate with people on Earth using email, phone, and video conferencing.
Astronauts have to be able to think quickly and make decisions under pressure, since they often face unexpected challenges in space.
Astronauts typically have to learn multiple languages, since they may work with people from many different countries on the ISS.
The first tourist in space was Dennis Tito, who paid $20 million to fly to the ISS on a Russian spacecraft in 2001.
Astronauts have to be trained to deal with emergencies, such as fires or equipment failures, in space.
Astronauts have to be able to perform tasks while wearing gloves, which can make it difficult to manipulate objects.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Astronauts!

Astronauts Fun Facts 26-50

Here are another 25 fun facts about Astronauts:

The first private spacecraft to dock with the ISS was SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, in 2012.
The oldest person to fly in space was John Glenn, who returned to space at the age of 77 in 1998.
The youngest person to fly in space was Gherman Titov, a Soviet astronaut who was 25 when he orbited Earth in 1961.
Astronauts have to be trained to eat and drink in space, since the lack of gravity affects the way food and liquids behave.
The first African American astronaut was Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., who died in a training accident in 1967 before he could fly in space.
The first Hispanic astronaut was Franklin Chang-Díaz, who flew on seven Space Shuttle missions between 1986 and 2002.
The first Indian American astronaut was Kalpana Chawla, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.
The first Chinese astronaut was Yang Liwei, who orbited Earth on the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft in 2003.
The first Muslim astronaut was Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, who flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985.
The first Israeli astronaut was Ilan Ramon, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.
Astronauts have to wear diapers during launch and landing, since they may not have access to a restroom for several hours.
Astronauts can experience changes in vision, bone density, and muscle mass during long-duration spaceflight.
The first space tourist to visit the ISS twice was Charles Simonyi, a Hungarian American software developer who flew in 2007 and 2009.
Astronauts have to be trained to exercise regularly in space, since the lack of gravity can cause muscle and bone loss.
The first black female astronaut was Mae Jemison, who flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
The first person to tweet from space was Mike Massimino, an American astronaut who tweeted from the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009.
The first openly gay astronaut was Sally Ride, although she did not publicly come out until after her death in 2012.
The first person to fly in space twice was Soviet astronaut Gherman Titov, who orbited Earth twice in 1961.
The first person to fly in space three times was Soviet astronaut Georgi Beregovoy, who orbited Earth three times in 1968.
The first person to fly in space four times was Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, who flew on four separate missions between 1994 and 2015.
Astronauts on the ISS can grow plants in a special chamber called the Vegetable Production System (Veggie).
Astronauts on the ISS can conduct spacewalks to perform maintenance and repairs on the station’s exterior.
Astronauts on the ISS can observe phenomena such as auroras, lightning, and weather patterns from above.
The first person to fly in space five times was Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev, who flew on five separate missions between 1988 and 2005.
The first person to spend a full year in space was Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, who spent 437 days on the Mir space station between 1994 and 1995.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Astronauts!

Astronauts Fun Facts for Kids 1-25

Here are another 25 fun facts about Astronauts that kids might love:

Astronauts wear special suits called spacesuits to protect them from the harsh environment of space.
Astronauts train for years before going to space to learn how to live and work in space.
Astronauts can see the whole Earth from space, and sometimes they can even see the Northern Lights.
Astronauts can’t eat regular food in space because it can float away, so they eat special space food.
Astronauts sleep in sleeping bags that are attached to the walls of the spacecraft so they don’t float away.
Astronauts have to exercise every day in space to keep their muscles and bones strong.
Astronauts can’t take showers in space, so they have to clean themselves with special wipes.
Astronauts have to drink recycled urine because there is no fresh water in space.
Astronauts can’t cry in space because tears don’t fall down in zero gravity.
Astronauts have to wear special helmets when they go on spacewalks to protect them from the vacuum of space.
Astronauts have to be very careful when they go on spacewalks because even a small tear in their spacesuit can be deadly.
Astronauts have to use special toilets in space because regular toilets don’t work without gravity.
Astronauts have to be very careful about what they touch in space because there is no air to protect them from dangerous things.
Astronauts have to be very patient because it can take a long time to travel to space and back.
Astronauts can’t go outside in their spacesuits for too long because they can get very hot or very cold.
Astronauts can see lots of stars in space because there is no light pollution like there is on Earth.
Astronauts have to be very careful with their tools in space because even a small screw or bolt can be dangerous if it floats away.
Astronauts have to be very organized in space because there is not a lot of room to store things.
Astronauts can’t use their sense of smell in space because there is no air to carry smells.
Astronauts have to be very careful when they eat in space because crumbs can float away and get into the equipment.
Astronauts can’t use regular pens in space because the ink won’t flow without gravity, so they use special space pens.
Astronauts have to be very flexible in space because they can move in all directions.
Astronauts have to be very good at math and science to become astronauts.
Astronauts have to be very brave to go to space because it can be dangerous.
Astronauts can communicate with people on Earth using special radios.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Astronauts!

Astronauts Fun Facts for Kids 26-51

Here are another 25 fun facts about Astronauts that kids might love:

Astronauts have to wear special shoes in space because regular shoes won’t work without gravity.
Astronauts can’t take baths in space because there is no bathtub.
Astronauts have to be very careful when they exercise in space because they can accidentally hit something and damage it.
Astronauts can’t use regular scissors in space because they can’t cut without gravity, so they use special space scissors.
Astronauts can’t use regular zippers in space because they can’t stay closed without gravity, so they use special space zippers.
Astronauts have to be very good at working in teams because they have to work with other astronauts from different countries.
Astronauts have to be very good at problem-solving because they may have to fix things that break in space.
Astronauts have to be able to think on their feet because unexpected problems can arise in space.
Astronauts have to be very patient when they communicate with people on Earth because there can be a delay of several seconds or more.
Astronauts can’t see colors the same way in space as they do on Earth because the light is different.
Astronauts can get motion sickness in space because their inner ear is affected by the lack of gravity.
Astronauts have to be very good at following procedures and checklists because mistakes can be very costly in space.
Astronauts have to be very careful with fire in space because it can be very dangerous without gravity.
Astronauts can’t use regular phones in space because there is no cell service.
Astronauts have to be very careful when they move around in space because they can accidentally bump into something and damage it.
Astronauts have to be very good at staying focused because there are a lot of distractions in space.
Astronauts have to be very good at working in small spaces because spacecraft can be very cramped.
Astronauts have to be very good at dealing with stress because space travel can be very stressful.
Astronauts can’t wear regular clothes in space because they can’t stay in place without gravity, so they wear special space clothes.
Astronauts have to be very good at adapting to new environments because space is very different from Earth.
Astronauts have to be very good at communicating because they have to work with people from different countries and cultures.
Astronauts have to be very good at staying calm in emergencies because there is no room for panic in space.
Astronauts have to be very good at taking care of themselves because there is no doctor in space.
Astronauts have to be very good at staying organized because there are a lot of things to keep track of in space.
Astronauts have to be very good at working under pressure because there is a lot at stake in space missions.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts about Astronauts!

What Does an Astronaut Do?

An astronaut’s job can vary depending on the mission and their role on the spacecraft, but generally, they perform a range of tasks related to space exploration. In addition to the fun facts about astronauts, here are some of the things that astronauts do:

Conduct experiments: Astronauts conduct various experiments to learn more about space, the effects of microgravity, and how living organisms behave in space.
Repair equipment: Astronauts perform maintenance and repairs on the spacecraft and equipment, including spacewalks outside the spacecraft.
Control the spacecraft: Astronauts control the spacecraft’s systems, trajectory, and velocity, making adjustments as needed.
Perform spacewalks: Astronauts leave the spacecraft to perform tasks and repairs outside in space.
Operate scientific equipment: Astronauts operate scientific equipment, such as telescopes, cameras, and other sensors, to collect data and images.
Conduct spacewalks: Astronauts perform spacewalks to fix equipment, install new equipment, or conduct experiments.
Monitor and analyze data: Astronauts monitor and analyze data collected by equipment and experiments to assess the health and safety of the spacecraft and crew.
Communicate with ground control: Astronauts communicate with the mission control team on Earth to provide updates on the mission, ask for assistance, and receive instructions.
Exercise: Astronauts exercise to maintain their physical health in space, where there is no gravity.
Conduct public outreach: Astronauts participate in public outreach events, such as giving talks or answering questions, to promote space exploration and educate the public.

How Do You Become an Astronaut?

Becoming an astronaut is a challenging and competitive process that requires a combination of education, training, and experience. In addition to the fun facts about astronauts, here are the general steps to become an astronaut:

Meet the basic requirements: To become an astronaut, you must be a citizen of a country with a space program, have a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, and meet certain physical requirements.
Gain experience: Most astronauts have several years of professional experience in their field before applying to become an astronaut. This can include working in academia, industry, or the military.
Apply to become an astronaut: When a space agency, such as NASA, opens up its astronaut application process, you can submit your application, which includes your resume, cover letter, and other supporting documents.
Pass the selection process: The astronaut selection process is rigorous and can include multiple rounds of testing, including physical and medical evaluations, interviews, and psychological assessments.
Complete astronaut training: If you are selected as an astronaut, you will undergo extensive training that can last for several years. This training includes learning how to operate spacecraft, performing spacewalks, and conducting scientific experiments in space.
Go on a mission: After completing your training, you may be selected to go on a space mission. Depending on the mission, you may spend several months in space and perform a range of tasks related to space exploration.