Welcome to the Cosmos: Exploring the Exciting World of NASA Astronauts!
As we keep pushin’ the boundaries of space exploration, NASA astronauts are, like, super crucial now more than ever! This article? It’s gonna delve into the amazing world of these peeps, highlightin’ their accomplishments, their training – it’s intense, you wouldn’t BELIEVE – and the super cool missions they’re gonna be on in the years to come. I’m so excited, I could scream!
Meet the New Class of Astronauts
In August 2022, NASA announced its newest class – twelve amazing individuals from all sorts of backgrounds! Seriously, it’s awesome. This new group includes women, people of color, and people with disabilities – a HUGE step forward for diversity and inclusion. Go team!
| Astronaut Name | Born | Selected as Astronaut | Current Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raja Chari | August 13, 1979 | 2009 | Artemis |
| Kayla Barron | April 21, 1987 | 2017 | Artemis |
| Tom Marshburn | May 13, 1965 | 2006 | Artemis |
These astronauts have been through some seriously rigorous training – basic stuff, advanced stuff, mission-specific stuff… It’s insane! They’re all gonna be flying on the Artemis mission, which aims to get humans back on the moon by 2025. I can’t wait!
Spacewalks: The Art of Extravehicular Activity
In October 2022, some NASA astronauts did some spacewalks – to upgrade the ISS, pretty cool, huh? Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, and Kayla Barron – they showed off their skills workin’ in those pressurized suits, doin’ stuff in zero gravity. It’s mind-blowing!
Research on the ISS: Advancing Our Understanding of Space
In November 2022, more NASA astronauts did some research experiments on the ISS. They were studying how microgravity affects the human body and developing new materials for space exploration. It’s all very important, you know?
Astronaut Profiles: Get to Know the Team
Let’s get to know three of these amazing new astronauts a little better:
Astronaut Raja Chari
- Born: August 13, 1979, in Houston, Texas
- Selected as an astronaut in 2009
- Has flown on two Space Shuttle missions (wow!) and is currently training for Artemis.
- Holds a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas. Smart cookie!
Astronaut Kayla Barron
- Born: April 21, 1987, in Houston, Texas
- Selected as an astronaut in 2017
- Has flown on the ISS! Amazing! And is currently training for Artemis.
- Holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Texas. Another brilliant mind!
Astronaut Tom Marshburn
- Born: May 13, 1965, in Houston, Texas
- Selected as an astronaut in 2006
- Has flown on three Space Shuttle missions! That’s a lot of space travel! And he’s training for Artemis too.
- Holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas. So many Texans!
Upcoming Missions: The Future of Space Exploration
There’s so much cool stuff coming up!
Artemis I
- Scheduled to launch in November 2022 (or so they say…)
- First uncrewed mission of the Artemis program. A test run, basically.
- Will test the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft. Fingers crossed!
Artemis II
- Scheduled to launch in 2023 (hopefully!)
- First crewed mission of the Artemis program. Actual humans in space!
- Will send astronauts on a lunar flyby. So close to the moon!
Artemis III
- Scheduled to launch in 2025 (wishful thinking, maybe?)
- First mission to land humans on the lunar surface since Apollo. History in the making!
- Will establish a sustainable presence on the Moon. We’re going back, baby!
Astronaut Training: It’s HARD
The astronaut training program is a grueling two-year program. It includes basic training, advanced training, and mission training. They learn about spacecraft systems, spacewalk procedures, and scientific experiments. They also train for emergencies – fires, depressurization… It’s intense!
| Astronaut Training Stage | Duration | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Training | 2 years (at least!) | Learn about spacecraft systems, spacewalks, and experiments. It’s a lot. |
| Advanced Training | 1 year | Specialized training in spacewalks and experiments. More intense! |
| Mission Training | 1 year | Training for specific missions. Get ready for liftoff! |
Astronaut Selection Process: It’s TOUGH
Becoming a NASA astronaut is super competitive. They really focus on diversity and inclusion, which is great. You gotta be:
- A U.S. citizen (sorry, everyone else!)
- Have a bachelor’s degree in STEM. Science, technology, engineering, or math.
- Have at least two years of relevant professional experience or 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft. That’s a lot of flying!
The application process is through USAJOBS. Then there are interviews and a really tough selection process. Good luck!
Astronaut Career Path: Reach for the Stars!
Astronauts can advance their careers by taking on leadership roles, doing scientific research, and working with international partners. It’s a pretty amazing career path.
| Astronaut Career Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Training | Two-year training program. It’s tough, but worth it! |
| Advanced Training | Specialized training. Get ready for the challenge! |
| Mission Training | Mission-specific training. Almost there! |
| Mission Assignment | You’re going to space! Congratulations! |
Facts and Figures: Amazing Numbers!
Here are some cool facts and figures:
Number of Astronauts
- There are currently, like, around 350 astronauts in the NASA astronaut corps. That’s a lot of space travelers!
Number of Spacewalks
- Astronauts have performed over 250 spacewalks since the first one in 1965. That’s a lot of time outside the spaceship!
Number of Missions
- NASA has sent astronauts on over 150 space missions since the first spaceflight in 1957. Wow!
As we keep pushing the boundaries of space exploration, NASA astronauts will remain super important in helping us understand the cosmos. With their dedication, expertise, and passion, these astronauts will take us closer to having a permanent presence on the Moon and beyond! It’s gonna be amazing!
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